Migration for Book Clubs
Book Review: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
“That these people would leave their homes, their cultures, their families, even their languages, and venture into tremendous peril, risking their very lives, all for the chance to get to the dream of some faraway country that doesn’t even want them.”
― Jeanine Cummins, American Dirt
Genre: Literary Fiction
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
American Dirt is a gripping and emotional novel that follows the harrowing journey of a Mexican mother, Lydia, and her son, Luca, as they flee cartel violence and attempt to reach the United States. The story begins in Acapulco, where Lydia’s journalist husband exposes the crimes of a powerful drug lord, setting off a brutal massacre leaving Lydia and Luca as the sole survivors. Forced to abandon their comfortable life, they embark on a dangerous migration northward, encountering fellow migrants, ruthless criminals, and moments of unexpected friendships along the way.
The novel is undeniably suspenseful, written in a fast-paced, cinematic style that keeps readers engaged. Cummins excels in crafting tension-filled scenes, making the reader feel the desperation and danger of Lydia’s journey. She paints vivid portraits of the landscapes, people, and hardships of migration, emphasizing the resilience and courage of those forced to flee their homes.
However, as a Mexican-American reader, I couldn’t help but sense the cultural appropriation underlying the story’s message. Cummins, who is not Mexican, portrays migration and Mexican culture through a lens that often relies on stereotypes and appeals to white sensibilities. The white savior strikes again. I hadn’t given much thought to it before picking it up, but as the message became clear, I wished I’d chosen a story from a more authentic perspective on migration.
Despite this niggling criticism, I did enjoy the story. By appealing to the book club (ie. white) audience, I hope it brings more awareness to the realities of migration that would otherwise continue to go unnoticed. But for those seeking similar stories by Latinx authors, consider The Devil’s Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea or Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiseslli.
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