A review by candacesiegle_greedyreader
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea

5.0

Very different from "The Hummingbird's Daughter," this enchanting comic novel follows a young woman named Nayeli and three friends to the U.S where they plan to recruit seven Mexican men to return to their village, fight off the narcos who have taken it over, and bring the little town back to life. Yes, she did get the idea from a recent showing of "Magnificent Seven" at the local theater, but why shouldn't it work? The only men left in town are the aged mayor and the gay taqueria owner. The residents of Tres Camarones want to stay there, have families, and live their lives among friends and family. Someone has to do something.

Their adventures are tart and funny, and take a kind look at people on both sides of the border. (Urrea takes the harshest view of the rapacious border Mexicans who pick the bones of border-crossers.)

"The Beautiful North" will not appeal to those who want to demonize one side of the other of the illegal immigration issue. But who can't empathize with Nayeli and her friends and their plan to save their town and pay tribute to Kurasawa? This lovely, lighthearted novel takes on a serious issue with heart and spirit.