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A review by jtnassraway
The Book of Rosy: A Mother's Story of Separation at the Border by Julie Schwietert Collazo, Rosayra Pablo Cruz
3.0
Overall, a story I am grateful to have read. However, a heavy focus on religion seemed to downplay the traumatic experiences of Rosy during her two treks to the US & her detainment & the court hearings that followed. Rosy’s story is one of way too many, but it feels glossed over, void of true emotions, written by both writers in a heartbreaking, matter of fact way.
The back & forth narration between Rosy & Julie, the director of Immigrant Families Together & co-writer, made it seem less genuine than I’d hoped. Both women’s writing is of the same voice, same writing style, same use of details, leading to the inauthentic feeling I have upon finishing it. The book felt like Julie’s & that Rosy was there for effect, when in fact, this is entirely Rosy’s story to tell. The overuse of highlighting Immigrant Families Together also feels forced. Wonderful organization, it seems, but the book is not about that.
Rosy’s story is one of incredible bravery, strength, & fortitude. It deserves all of these pages & more. It actually deserves its very own book—one where Rosy is 100% the owner & storyteller. The story does not belong to the American savior. It belongs entirely to the dreamer. This book does not represent that.
The back & forth narration between Rosy & Julie, the director of Immigrant Families Together & co-writer, made it seem less genuine than I’d hoped. Both women’s writing is of the same voice, same writing style, same use of details, leading to the inauthentic feeling I have upon finishing it. The book felt like Julie’s & that Rosy was there for effect, when in fact, this is entirely Rosy’s story to tell. The overuse of highlighting Immigrant Families Together also feels forced. Wonderful organization, it seems, but the book is not about that.
Rosy’s story is one of incredible bravery, strength, & fortitude. It deserves all of these pages & more. It actually deserves its very own book—one where Rosy is 100% the owner & storyteller. The story does not belong to the American savior. It belongs entirely to the dreamer. This book does not represent that.