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A Novel
by Jeanine CumminsHailed as "a Grapes of Wrath for our times" and "a new American classic", American Dirt is a rare exploration into the inner hearts of people willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope.
También de este lado hay sueños.
On this side too, there are dreams.
If it's only a better life you seek, seek it elsewhere...This path is only for people who have no choice, no other option, only violence and misery behind you. And your journey will grow even more treacherous from here. Everything is working against you. ―American Dirt
Lydia Quixano Perez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable.
Even though she knows they'll never sell, Lydia stocks some of her all-time favorite books in her store. And then one day a man enters the shop to browse and comes up to the register with four books he would like to buy―two of them her favorites. Javier is erudite. He is charming. And, unbeknownst to Lydia, he is the jefe of the newest drug cartel that has gruesomely taken over the city. When Lydia's husband's tell-all profile of Javier is published, none of their lives will ever be the same.
Forced to flee, Lydia and eight-year-old Luca soon find themselves miles and worlds away from their comfortable middle-class existence. Instantly transformed into migrants, Lydia and Luca ride la bestia―trains that make their way north toward the United States, which is the only place Javier's reach doesn't extend. As they join the countless people trying to reach el norte, Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to?
American Dirt will leave readers utterly changed. It is a literary achievement filled with poignancy, drama, and humanity on every page. It is one of the most important books for our times.
CHAPTER ONE
One of the very first bullets comes in through the open window above the toilet where Luca is standing. He doesn't immediately understand that it's a bullet at all, and it's only luck that it doesn't strike him between the eyes. Luca hardly registers the mild noise it makes as it flies past and lodges into the tiled wall behind him. But the wash of bullets that follows is loud, booming, and thudding, clack-clacking with helicopter speed. There is a raft of screams, too, but that noise is short-lived, soon exterminated by the gunfire. Before Luca can zip his pants, lower the lid, climb up to look out, before he has time to verify the source of that terrible clamor, the bathroom door swings open and Mami is there.
"Mijo, ven," she says, so quietly that Luca doesn't hear her.
Her hands are not gentle; she propels him toward the shower. He trips on the raised tile step and falls forward onto his hands. Mami lands on top of him and his teeth pierce his lip in the tumble. He ...
Here are some of the comments posted about American Dirt in our legacy forum.
You can see the full discussion here.
American Dirt has been compared to The Grapes of Wrath. Have you read the latter book, and if so, what parallels do you see between the two?
Yes, Grapes of Wrath is a favorite book of mine. The parallels I see are poverty and freedom. The need to be free is paramount in each book. Running to escape and find a better future. Both families are running in poverty - unable to buy their way to... - taking.mytime
Controversy over this book
Two of BookBrowse's editors recently published a blog post on the topic, including half a dozen recommendations by Latinx authors which you may find of interest:
[link]https://www.bookbrowse.com/blogs/editor/index.cfm/2020/3/13/Six-Books-About-... - davinamw
Did American Dirt change your opinion? Are there other books you'd recommend on this topic?
My forefathers and mothers traveled to the United States as refugees. They lived in danger and escaped with danger surrounding them. I look at Ellis Island and it brings tears to my eyes. We should welcome immigrants with love and compassion, ... - bonnieb
Did you find any of Lydia's actions out of character?
Using Lorenzo’s phone to talk to Javier seemed unnecessary and slightly out of character for Lydia. That struck a dischord for me. The fact that she took time to distance herself from Javier and did not believe her husband’s article would be lethal ... - janeb
Discuss the significance of the title. What do you think the author means by it?
I think the title simple meant, what people will go through to get to American Dirt. The USA. - elainew
From the very first page to the last, I was hooked. The story of Lydia and Luca is so beautifully written. I felt I was actually with them on every step of their journey (Amber H). There are a few times in your life when you read a book that transforms you. For me, this is one of those books. I found this book riveting from the very first sentence. I might add that I am a very critical reader but there is nothing I can say except to praise American Dirt (Dorothy L)...continued
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(Reviewed by First Impressions Reviewers).
Acapulco de Juárez, commonly known as Acapulco, is a city located on the coast of Mexico in the southwestern state of Guerrero. The name "Acapulco" is believed to come from a word in the Náhuatl (Aztec) language meaning "place of the reeds." Once considered a desirable vacation spot and bustling resort town, Acapulco has in recent years been overrun by gang violence, becoming a threatening place for locals and losing much of its draw for travelers.
The modern-day Guerrero region was inhabited by the Mezcala people starting in the 7th century, and shows evidence of earlier ties to the ancient Olmec civilization. The Aztecs gained control of the area in the 11th century, but failed to conquer Acapulco, which remained under ...
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