American Dirt: February Book Club

Am so jealous of those of you who haven’t read it yet, you have a corker of a read ahead of you!!

What a eye opener it made me think what migrants do in order to escape and continue to do even though they are probably aware of all the horrible things they could experience on the journey eg rape .
I would like to ask the author is she concerned about how many people on this forum would have not normally buy this book and is there anything she would change eg cover .

I have rarely enjoyed a book so much. I use the word 'enjoy' with reservation. Yes, it was totally unputdownable and it was a little like watching a horror movie behind my hands. I rooted for everyone, whatever their circumstances. They became who they were because of what their lives were and how things panned out for them some were stronger than others...
Like most of the others commenting here, I doubt very much that I would have bought/borrowed this book. Have in said that, I would heartily recommend it.
Again, it would be fantastic if there was a follow up, letting us know how they all fared in El Norte.

Just finished the book, like others have mentioned I may have not chosen this book in a book store but what a book to read, thoroughly enjoyed the book. It certainly opened my eyes to the dangerous journey and had many emotional thoughts. I would like to know if there will be a follow up book regarding how the characters continue daily life whilst undocumented. Thanks again for the book

Like other posters here, I would not have chosen this book for myself. I found it hard going, not because it was badly written - it was an easy read from that aspect - but because it opened my eyes to a world I had never considered before. The lives of these fleeing migrants, although fiction, haunt me, as a woman, because there are hundreds, probably thousands of migrants like Soledad and Rebecca out there in the world, who not only have to face the horrors of exhaustion and starvation as they make their journey, but the added horror of molestation and rape. This book made me face up to the fact that migrants are all individuals with their own hopes and fears which are exactly like our own and not just a faceless crowd.
This book makes you both want to turn the page and not want to turn the page for fear of what new horror Lydia and her friends will have to face next.
I would like to ask Jeanine - and I know this is probably impossible to answer - does she see any possible way in which the United States and the rest of the world (because this concerns us all ) could begin to address the problems endemic in South America.

Thank you so much for my copy of 'American Dirt'.
I have NOT read any of the comments on this thread before I leave my own. I don't want to be influenced by anything else anyone has said until I get my own thoughts down !
Well,I was completely blown away by the book.I would never have chosen it because of the subject matter, but now I can see how wrong that would have been. I would recommend it to anyone.It had me rooting for all the characters along the way and it was also making me want to shout 'Don't trust that person'
Jeanine, you said you wanted to open people's eyes to the humanity of migrants and their individual stories, well I can honestly say you have achieved your goal with this book.I read deep into the night, and then went to sleep worrying about Lydia, Luca and their fellow travellers !
I would like to ask you Jeanine: I know you were motivated partly by DNA and partly by horrific circumastances which happened to your family, for which I offer heartfelt condolence, but I have to ask, although you live in USA, were you not a little worried about stirring up trouble for yourself by telling the story, I know it's fiction but it's obviously uncomfortable near the truth. Did you ever feel scared doing your research and interviews in Mexico ?

This was a brave story telling, and I can fully understand why it has been optioned for a film. Thank you so much for enlightening me.

Well I’ve just finished this and I second others comments this wouldn’t of been a book I would of particularly picked. It was heart wrenching and gripping. I have passed this on to my sister today and will be happy to pass her comments on also.

I finished this book last night. It was a page turner for me, and I really wanted to know how the story was going to unfold.
Yes, it's a work of fiction, and as such, I think some things have been sanitised a little, but the message to me was of the difficulties, fear and hardships many migrants face when trying to escape an impossible life for a better, safer one.

I'm sure there are works out there that go into the horrors and realities of living under the dictat of cartels, corruption and poverty more deeply, written by Mexicans and South Americans who have more experience of what it is really like. However, that does not alter the fact that I thought this book was well written and drew me in. I wanted to keep turning those pages to find out what was going to happen next.

I would like to ask Ms Cummings if she plans a follow up to this story now that the migrants are in El Norte as I am sure there is much more to tell - will they be able stay or will they be forced back, particularly as the present US government appears to have an anti Mexican and South American stance and want to build a wall all along the border to keep them out?

Like many others, this is not a book I would have chosen normally, but I'm glad I have had the opportunity to read it.
Unusually, I feel all the "hype" on the covers is true!
I have suggested my husband might also read it.
I found it very well written. A gripping page turner, and deeply harrowing.
I suppose my question to Ms Cummins would be, how many migrants were interviewed during research, and was that how she learned about the sisters preferred method of boarding La Bestia?

A book I would have passed by, but so glad I got to read it. Heart wrenching, thought provoking tale that is so poignant.I too would like to know if there will be a follow up.
Thanks for my copy.

A friend is lending it to me when she gets it back from another friend, allegedly it's very good, I hope it lives up to the hype surrounding it, it appears to be one of the books of the moment. Look forward to reading it.

A page turner heart wrenching read. Like liska I might not have picked this up in a bookshop, but I am pleased to have read a fictional version of the long journey and deprivations of migrants wanting a new peaceful, safe life.
I would like to ask Jeanine if she envisages a follow up (maybe a short story this time) I am sure we all want to know how life unfolds for both Lydia and Luca. Do they eventually get a Green Card or do they remain undocumented?
.

I was delighted to receive a copy of American Dirt as part of the February Book Club. I have to admit that this isn't the type of book I'd usually pick up but I'm glad I got the chance to read it.

I thought the book was a harrowing but important read - a poignant reminder that migrants are humans, with thoughts and feelings like anyone else. I enjoyed the focus on the personal stories of the characters. These stories touched me on an emotional level and made me give a much deeper level of thought and consideration to the plight of migrants around the world.

My question for the author:

The main character, Lydia, is an avid reader who ran her own bookstore prior to fleeing Acapulco. As a reader, I quickly developed a connection with her as I too enjoy reading. Was there a specific reason you chose this career for Lydia? Did you intend or hope for readers to develop a personal connection to Lydia in this way?

Many Thanks. Book arrived today and I am look forward to a good read.

Got my copy yesterday, can't wait to start it.

Mine was waiting me when I got in last night; reading f3st coming on!

Many thanks for a copy of American Dirt. Can't wait to get started but must finish off library book before tomorrow first.

Have just recieved copy looks good .

Thankyou for my copy, it was a lovely surprise as I had no idea that it was on the way. I’m looking forward to reading it and letting you know my thoughts.

I'm reading this at the moment! It's great. But there has been a lot of controversy about it. Look online.

I received. I’ve today will get cracking and get back to you.

A lovely surprise to receive a copy of American Dirt, thank you

Thank you for my copy that arrived today. I will get started on it as soon as I can!

I got one today, I didn't think I had a chance.

A lovely surprise - I've just received a copy of 'American Dirt'.
Thank you Gransnet. Looking forward to reading it just as soon as possible.