American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

 

American Dirt Paperback

Lydia lives in Acapulco. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while cracks are beginning to show in Acapulco because of the cartels, Lydia’s life is, by and large, fairly comfortable. But after her husband’s tell-all profile of the newest drug lord is published, none of their lives will ever be the same.

Forced to flee, Lydia and Luca find themselves joining the countless people trying to reach the United States. Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to?

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Title : American Dirt

Author : Jeanine Cummins

Published year :  January 2020

Pages : 386

Genre : fiction

Age Recommendation : 13+ 

I was lucky to get this book when it is on sale at 60% off last June, and finally, have intermittent time to read it during morning and lunch hours at the office. That's why it took me almost a month to finish it. It is not because the story is not interesting, but rather that nowadays I have limited free time.  

To be honest, this is the first Latin refugee book I ever read. Though there are so many noises outside regarding this book, I have no comparison and cannot argue because this is my first read and I see it as enjoyable.

The story is opened by the wretched tragedy, an 8 years old boy hiding in a bathroom together with his mother, whereas several men busy themselves killing the boy's family outside. The setting is the beautiful city of Acapulco, Mexico. In a county where we know that Cartels are more powerful than the government and justice system.

After several minutes the man looked for the kid and the wife but couldn't find them, they finally left the premise after trying the chicken barbeque on the counter, coldblooded. 

Lydia and Luca emerged from their hiding and witnessed all their family member murdered in the garden, including Sebastian, Lydia's husband, and Luca's father. Shocked and terrified, Lydia knows the murderer won't stop until they found her and her son. No time for grieving, Lydia packed her bags and monies to run away from this city. Her only instinct said she must survive for Luca's sake. 

The next question is where to? how do they get out of the city without being detected? Taking her car is impossible, she took the bus, and transit to another city, thinking about her next steps.

Along the way, Lydia realized she must get out of the country. El Norte- The United States of America. She remembered someone, his husband's acquaintance that may help her. But she knows, anyone is risking his life to save hers. Even the cartel in Acapulco just arise, but they have a network and spies everywhere. Everyone could be a spy. They would never be safe.

From hiding in a church car arranged by her husband's friend, pretending to be missionaries bring them to Mexico City, the capital. But she must continue the journey on her own. From there, there are many ways to reach the border to El Norte. But taking flight is impossible, she doesn't bring Luca's documentation, and it is traceable. The only option is to take the train to La Bestia.

But the train is famous for the migrants, and the high death ratio. First, the train safety, she can be crushed between two moving cars, or get sucked beneath the wheels. Second, human violence, many kidnappers, and half people on the train is the cartel member.

She doesn't have a choice. Some people can manage to be escaped in La Bestia. The madness is her only choice. Along the way, she finds a friend, the sisters Soledad and Rebecca. Like her, the sister run away from something. But they are so young, in their teenage years, also so beautiful that may attract many eyes to see them.

For the first time after witnessing his father dead, Luca finally speaks. She speaks to Soledad. And Lydia is grateful for that. She has scared Luca will never speak again.

They stick together, endure all the hardships, risking their life, being kidnapped, tortured, and robbed. They need to change many trains and directions, sleeping everywhere to reach the border where their Coyote will bring them crossing the desert to El Norte.

This book is a journey of a mother and a son together with two sisters to reach freedom from their haunted past. They were chased by bad people and must face many other bad peoples to survive. There is a low point where they just want to surrender, dead may preferable to dying. But they strive to free themselves.

It is my first time reading a book about migrants in South America. How it is difficult for them to reach the land of freedom. Honestly, I'm flabbergasted. Despite many critics directed to the author since she's no Latino and the book is too Hollywood-y. But yeah, it feels like watching a movie, there is suspense, drama, and a slice of life all in one. 

The problem for me, when I opened the book from the first page, I'm so invested in the story, and without realizing it, my expectation was skyrocketing. I thought from the mid-end, it will be more and more exciting, but I feel the anticlimax. It is still exciting, but I don't see any suspense anymore. 

But I like it a lot! since it is my first read, I learned a lot of things from the book. Many Latin words are not translated but keep repeating, so I googled them my self and imprint it in my memory.

 I love the relationship between Lydia and Luca. She's the best mother anyone can ask for. Yes, I am confused about how can a smart woman make a mistake that 'cost' her family. But her love for Luca is without ending. She's a strong woman, yet so soft in her heart. She also helps the sisters, someone she just met several days ago. She can run bringing her child, hiking on a rocky mountain in the pouring rain, but she also hugs her son tightly to make sure that he feels her love. It is astonishing.