A review by essie__reads
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book follows the members of one undocumented Colombian family, as they navigate the experience of family members deportation from the United States and the hardships they face while trying to reunite and build a better life for their whole family in the United States. The book describes each of the family members experiences in Colombia and/or the United States, as they go through life facing the challenges of living as a family separated between Colombia and America. Mauro and Talia, father and the youngest daughter, living in Colombia together. While Elena, Karina, and Nando live in America- waiting for their sister and husband to join them. It describes Mauro and Elena's love story and how they were able to move to Texas and all of the events leading up to Mauro's deportation and the decision to send Talia to Colombia with her father. Elena, Mauro, and Talia have to make difficult decisions to leave the country they have known and loved in order to seek new and safer oppurtunities in America and reunite as a family, all while risking deportation. Their journeys depict challenges of living undocumented including struggles to find affordable and safe housing, racism, sexual assault, and the daily fears of deportation. 

I would definitely recommend this book. It opened my eyes to a lot of the challenges undocumented immigrants may go through. I listened to the audiobook and did not enjoy the narrator, so I'd recommend reading a print or ebook copy. 
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