Scan barcode
A review by hayleyslibrarycard
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
UPDATE: I did look up the author while I was reading it and wondered about her whether she was the right person to tell this story, and as I'm looking into it more I see there controversy here as she is not Mexican (and according to readers of colour she did not do a good job of this depiction. So this is something to think about before reading this book - and something I'll admit I should've looked into before picking it up) This article by Vox is interesting overview: https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/1/22/21075629/american-dirt-controversy-explained-jeanine-cummins-oprah-flatiron
I am reading and learning what POC people thought about this book and think it is important to stand in solidarity with them
"I don't have a death wish, I like being alive. Despite it all"
I just finished this and my heart hurts for Lydia and Luca and Soledad and Rebeca and all the people in real life who have to make this treacherous journey every day. This book will stay with me, and remind me how important it is to read diverse stories and diverse experiences!
There were such heartfelt depictions of fried and the insurmontable heaviness of hope when you have lost everything, and chosen family (in the sense of people you are experience a horrible experience with that become family rather than queerness) and the concept of home.
This book had my nerves jangling and my hand over my mouth so many times throughout, the anxiety and the terror were real feelings in my body whenever there were tense parts of the story. But the author did such a great job of combining almost poetic and flowery language with a nerve wracking, exciting and BRUTAL plot. It had me whenever I picked it up reading for an extended period of time (which is hard to do in this day and age of the ol' phone and the ol' tiktok)
The juxtaposition of the beautiful homely moments and tender explorations of friendship and love and the depictions of the brutality that is migrating, losing everything you have and your dignity and the absolute anxiety of never feeling safe is so wonderfully done throughout.
I was so so so fond of these characters, the sisters Soledad and Rebeca and Luca and Lydia are tucked away in my heart after this novel. The intense love that they feel for each other while also being willing to sacrifice everything is a hard read.
I did look up the author while I was reading it and wondered about her whether she was the right person to tell this story, and as I'm looking into it more I see there is a bit of controversy here as she is not Mexican (and according to readers of colour she did not do a good job of this depiction. So this is something to think about before reading this book - and something I'll admit I should've looked into before picking it up) This article by Vox is interesting overview: https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/1/22/21075629/american-dirt-controversy-explained-jeanine-cummins-oprah-flatiron
I am reading and learning what POC people thought about this book and think it is important to stand in solidarity with them
"I don't have a death wish, I like being alive. Despite it all"
I just finished this and my heart hurts for Lydia and Luca and Soledad and Rebeca and all the people in real life who have to make this treacherous journey every day. This book will stay with me, and remind me how important it is to read diverse stories and diverse experiences!
There were such heartfelt depictions of fried and the insurmontable heaviness of hope when you have lost everything, and chosen family (in the sense of people you are experience a horrible experience with that become family rather than queerness) and the concept of home.
This book had my nerves jangling and my hand over my mouth so many times throughout, the anxiety and the terror were real feelings in my body whenever there were tense parts of the story. But the author did such a great job of combining almost poetic and flowery language with a nerve wracking, exciting and BRUTAL plot. It had me whenever I picked it up reading for an extended period of time (which is hard to do in this day and age of the ol' phone and the ol' tiktok)
The juxtaposition of the beautiful homely moments and tender explorations of friendship and love and the depictions of the brutality that is migrating, losing everything you have and your dignity and the absolute anxiety of never feeling safe is so wonderfully done throughout.
I was so so so fond of these characters, the sisters Soledad and Rebeca and Luca and Lydia are tucked away in my heart after this novel. The intense love that they feel for each other while also being willing to sacrifice everything is a hard read.
I did look up the author while I was reading it and wondered about her whether she was the right person to tell this story, and as I'm looking into it more I see there is a bit of controversy here as she is not Mexican (and according to readers of colour she did not do a good job of this depiction. So this is something to think about before reading this book - and something I'll admit I should've looked into before picking it up) This article by Vox is interesting overview: https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/1/22/21075629/american-dirt-controversy-explained-jeanine-cummins-oprah-flatiron