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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Such a good read! I loved getting both perspectives of the immigration issue in the US. The characters were complex and the novel was well-written. I definitely recommend this book!
I love Boyle's style of weaving social issues into an engaging plot.
We read this for our book club. It reminded me a bit of a Carl Hiassen book, except I hated every single character and there was no relief, no little bit of humour, from the relentless depressingness of it all.
Made for good discussion though.
Made for good discussion though.
The Series of Unfortunate Events got nothin' on you, Tortilla Curtain. Seriously, devastation after devastation, all intertwined to show the effects of racism, greed, poverty, and hypocrisy. Oh jeez, the hypocrisy. These characters are down on their luck, exaggeratedly so. But Boyle shows that it isn't luck, it is cause and effect. Regardless, there are a few too many scenario's relying on exact timing to make this story plausible, but it was enjoyable and thought-provoking nonetheless.
Cannot believe how relevant this book still is! Which is to say, I cannot believe it was written 20 years ago. So glad this one was recommended to me, because it definitely speaks to the attitudes of many today. No, I don't live in a border town, and I understand that some people feel it is not at all a representation of what is really happening. That being said, I'm sure this hits too close for home for many people, and I know people fit the mold of Delaney.
Not one that was a stay-up-late to keep reading, but definitely one I'm glad I read. It's an important read, and I enjoyed it.
Not one that was a stay-up-late to keep reading, but definitely one I'm glad I read. It's an important read, and I enjoyed it.
I only read this because it was required by my Humanities class.
It lacked. A lot. It should NEVER take me 3 months to read a book.
It lacked. A lot. It should NEVER take me 3 months to read a book.
Sorry again, Abi. God help my memory...I couldn't continue reading this book because I was convinced I had already read it and it drove me crazy that I couldn't remember when or what the book was even about, but I KNEW the first chapter and it sort of haunted me and angered me that I can't remember a darn thing!
This book made me reexamine how I live and how I treat people. I think the middle and upper classes in this country are comprised of a predominately selfish and ungrateful people; oblivious to real struggle and only reacting to suffering with contempt. The bottom line to me is that no human being, regardless of where they are from, should have to struggle that hard to survive. I think the solution would be to assess our prejudices honestly and make a deliberate effort to change our behaviors and attitudes. Social change always begins with the person in the mirror.
I had a hard time getting into this one but I persisted and was glad I did. It was a pretty depressing book and made me feel sad, angry, guilty... The book really highlights the mass amount of misunderstanding that often lies between people from different backgrounds.