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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
A curiosity of a book, published in 1996 which undertakes some pretty heavy issues of immigration, illegal Mexicans, racism, safety, the American way. In 2010 this novel resonates heavily given the new laws in Arizona which target illegals and, moreover, anyone who looks like they could be illegal.
The story deals with two couples – Delaney and Kyra, a well-to-do Californian couple with a kid, a couple of yapper dogs and a cat, living in a community struggling to keep the riff-raff out, home prices up, be safe and enjoy the life they’ve worked hard to earn. Meet the other couple, America and Candido, illegal Mexicans who crossed the Tortilla Curtain (the US-Mexican porous border) risking their lives with the hope of making in a couple of months what would take all year to make in Mexico. They are robbed, swindled, lied to and worse – and that’s only by fellow Mexicans. They wind up living in a ravine just down from Delaney and Kyra’s house; living, though, is too strong a word, they merely survive, camping out with no running water nor shelter, hiding from the “migra” (immigration police) and other Mexican thugs willing to steal from anyone.
These two unlikely couples come in contact when Delaney hits Candido with his car; shocked, he reaches in his wallet and throws $20 at Candido as the Mexican hobbles away, terrified of going to a doctor as that would lead to deportation. As Candido lies in his campsite, tended to by his pregnant wife America, the full weight of what has happened falls on him, as not only can he not stand and walk, there is no way he can make it up the ravine and get any work. And so America, at 17 years old and pregnant goes to work. Meanwhile, Delaney, a naturalist broadminded kind of guy deals with his guilt while his wife works the neighborhood trying vehemently to get a wall built up around their subdivision and keep out coyotes – both of the 4 legged and 2 legged varieties.
Over the course of several weeks, events spiral terribly out of control. The couples, each in their own way, can’t seem to cut a break. If there is a weak spot in the book, it is this part of the plot, which is unrelenting and heavy.
This is not a book of clear cut characters. The plot is not black and white. Boyle succeeds in allowing the reading to ride the fence. At one point siding with the Americans and at others siding with the Mexicans. Both the Delayney and his wife Kyra, and Candido and America are trying to better their lives. They come to the reader quite flawed, and as such, at times hard to sympathize with, although the plight of Candido and America is gut-wrenching.
What Boyle doesn’t really explore in depth are the white Californians who hire illegal Mexicans, exploit them, use their cheap labor to build the walls that ultimately distance them. He lays it out throughout the novel, for the reader to decide on, there are no quick fixes, easy answers or tidy endings.
I don't remember who told me to read this book. Honestly, I think it was some bad Hinge date. But whoever that person was has terrible taste.
The idea behind this book is solid. Juxtapose a wealthy, liberal white couple against a sweet Mexican couple who recently crossed the border. Expose the underlying racism of suburban white communities and demonstrate the suffering experienced by those fighting for a better life. But it neither accomplishes this nor does it with any grace. Everyone is a caricature. Instead of exploring the subtle ways that liberal ideas break down when faced with true difficulties, the author goes from 0 to the n word. Similarly, rather than exploring the difficult emotions that come with crossing the border, he sits around thinking about how much he misses chorizo. Is there a rape scene? Of course there's a rape scene.
Great idea, poor execution. Two stars.
The idea behind this book is solid. Juxtapose a wealthy, liberal white couple against a sweet Mexican couple who recently crossed the border. Expose the underlying racism of suburban white communities and demonstrate the suffering experienced by those fighting for a better life. But it neither accomplishes this nor does it with any grace. Everyone is a caricature. Instead of exploring the subtle ways that liberal ideas break down when faced with true difficulties, the author goes from 0 to the n word. Similarly, rather than exploring the difficult emotions that come with crossing the border, he sits around thinking about how much he misses chorizo. Is there a rape scene? Of course there's a rape scene.
Great idea, poor execution. Two stars.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked it. I kind of disliked every character, but I liked it.
This book was a lot more rape-y than I expected. Not sure exactly how much rape I had expected, but the amount in the book was definitely more.
Also, I didn't like the character Candido at all. At first he had my sympathies, and we were building a relationship with that, but then he turned out to be a huge asshole. The terrible way he treats his wife, his bullshit machismo at the cost of not only his own health but that of his wife and unborn baby, his complete stupidity when dealing with other people (Mexican and American) - all of this destroyed the sympathetic relationship I had with the character. I just ended up hating him.
We listened to this book on the drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back, and it did pass the time. However, I will not be listening to the final hours of this book now that we are done with driving. I don't especially like the characters and I don't especially care what happens to them.
Also, I didn't like the character Candido at all. At first he had my sympathies, and we were building a relationship with that, but then he turned out to be a huge asshole. The terrible way he treats his wife, his bullshit machismo at the cost of not only his own health but that of his wife and unborn baby, his complete stupidity when dealing with other people (Mexican and American) - all of this destroyed the sympathetic relationship I had with the character. I just ended up hating him.
We listened to this book on the drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back, and it did pass the time. However, I will not be listening to the final hours of this book now that we are done with driving. I don't especially like the characters and I don't especially care what happens to them.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
This is the first good non-fiction book I've read for a while. I chose it as preparation for my trip to the LA area and it covered everything I had hoped for: interesting characters, insight into relevant political issues, and an introduction to local flora and fauna. I loved how the characters were all well developed and able to be sympathized with while still having very distinct character flaws. I liked how the ending did not invite a sequel. And I particularly empathised with Delaney's reminders to himself that he is an open-minded liberal who embraces open-minded liberal values.
I don't know. On one hand, Delaney reminds me of the author. I'm not sure if that's intentional. It feels like he caricaturizes his characters - the white, affluent Mossbachers and the poor, illegal, Mexican Rincons. So, I don't know, the writing is pretty good quality and the themes are certainly...numerous, but it feels his opinions are a bit too strident. Moreover, if he is writing such a sharp critique, who is his audience? Anyone who reads this would surely not argue with him on the fact there is inequality and hypocriticism and hateful ignorance in our society, but that seems to be the extent of his argument. Ultimately, I wish he went further - more thoughtful and insightful commentary rather than the vehement and perhaps alienating position he seems to take. For example, I find myself wondering about more complex situations of inequality, like the impoverished Rincons interacting with another poor white family, or even another immigrant family already well-established in the U.S., rather than the insular Mossbachers, since most Americans are certainly not as well off as them. However, it is also true that a sizeable number of Americans are like the Mossbachers. Still, the situation Boyle creates seems a little too black-and-white, a little too convenient.
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reread this terrific novel and how tragic that so many of its themes are even more relevant today than when it was written almost thirty years ago. As a tragedy about inequality in modern American it is exceptional and stands with something like Grapes of Wrath in its portrayal of how poverty and a desire to escape poverty can lead to tragedy.