American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins @TinderPress @jeaninecummins @Louiseswannell #AmericanDirt

 

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Published by Tinder Press

Publication Date: 21st January 2020

Genre: Political Thriller

Book Description:

Lydia Perez owns a bookshop in Acapulco, Mexico, and is married to a fearless journalist. Luca, their eight-year-old son, completes the picture. But it only takes a bullet to rip them apart.

In a city in the grip of a drug cartel, friends become enemies overnight, and Lydia has no choice but to flee with Luca at her side. North for the border... whatever it takes to stay alive. The journey is dangerous - not only for them, but for those they encounter along the way. Who can be trusted? And what sacrifices is Lydia prepared to make.

My Thoughts:

This book is way off the type of story I usually read, but saw it amongst the books in Richard & Judy's book club reads and heard loads of people saying how gripped they were by the book that I figured it might be worth a punt.  I don't usually get swayed by the hype titles but the diversity of people shouting about this book intrigued me.  I am so pleased that I gave it a chance - it is so different and really starts your mind ticking about the whole immigration subject. I like books which open my mind and question my opinions on issues which are ongoing in the world all the time. This one certainly did that.

The opening pages are shocking; a family gathering ripped apart by gunfire and the tension which is created therein as Lydia and Luca hide from the gunmen is only the start of things. The emotions described by both mother and son as they realise they have to leave everything they treasure behind in order to stay alive really hit you. Anyone who is not affected by the excellent writing of this author cannot have a heart.

The book then follows as the pair attempt to make their way to el norte, the United States, across the border several thousand miles away. Their methods of transport are limited as the cartels have people everywhere, who to trust in this new world of  being on the wrong side of the wrong people? Even the lawful  means of movement across the country are not safe or viable and Lydia has to draw on an inner strength she never knew she had.  If it weren't for Luca she doesn't think she would be able to make these decisions.

She soon finds that she is far from alone in her quest to reach the north. Among the many migrants they encounter two beautiful young girls, Rebeca and Soledad are making the journey too, their looks only causing them more issues amongst the young men who make the rules in this parallel world they inhabit. The four gravitate towards one another, kindred spirits finding one another. The strength they build by joining forces gets them through the horrible experiences which they are confronted with on a daily basis.

Not everyone making the journey is a migrant in search of a better, safer life though. It soon becomes clear that despite the fact they have put many miles between themselves and the dangerous character who murdered their family, he has eyes everywhere and has been closer than they have suspected for days. My heart was pounding and my nerves on edge at many points in this book, even though it is not particularly action packed as such. 

My views on illegal immigration have certainly been questioned as I imagined how it would feel to be in this position - we are extremely privileged in the UK with the lives we lead but that's not to say it would be impossible to get on the wrong side of some of the gangs which exist in some areas.  This is nothing compared to the corruption which is described within these pages, based in truth and fact. I know that some have questioned the author's ability to write about a subject which she cannot experience herself due to her ethnicity but personally I think she has done so admirably. 

If you want a book to take you out of your comfort zone I definitely recommend this one, whether I would say I enjoyed it is another matter as my emotions were in tatters by the end! It will stay with me for a long time.

About the Author:

Jeanine Cummins s the author of THE OUTSIDE BOY, THE CROOKED BRANCH, the true crime work A RIP IN HEAVEN, and AMERICAN DIRT, all of which are published by Tinder Press. She lives in New York with her husband and two children. You can follow Jeanine on Twitter @jeaninecummins.