American Dirt: Book review

Book Review

Title: American Dirt
Author: Jeanine Cummins
Genre: Fiction

Was compelled to pick a copy of this book after seeing it as a part of Oprah's book club 2020.

American Dirt is the story of a Mexican immigrant who escapes the horrors of her city and attempts to cross borders to reach her destination in the United States. 

Lydia runs a bookstore in Acapulco where she meets the charming Javier. Through her journalist husband's article about him, she realises that he's part of the drug cartels who create havoc in the city. After seeing her family brutally murdered, Lydia and her son Luca flee from home, eager to escape from Javier's reach. The story goes on to describe their nightmarish ordeals, tryst with other immigrants, jumping off trains and narrow escape from death.  

American Dirt grips you from the beginning. Readers are instantly drawn to the characters. The story manages to describe the pitiable plight of the immigrants with regards to their uncertainty and susceptibility to risk and death. The author does a great job in capturing the stark contrast between the human race- sadistic cold blooded murderers and rapists on one side and good samaritans on the other. The writing is vivid in many instances especially while describing the various landscapes . 

Themes of fear and survival are touched upon here. This moving tale describes how fear propels the individual to do the unthinkable. Another interesting aspect is that despite the diversity of the immigrants, they showcase a sense of solidarity due to their pain and suffering. Despite the several atrocities, this astounding tale manages to convey a message of hope and courage.

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