American Dirt
A deeply moving story of a Mexican widow’s desperate flight to the United States with her young son after her extended family is killed by a drug cartel.
Those who enjoy a contemporary, character-driven story that packs a real punch. It’s a page-turner.
Lydia and her young eight-year-old son, Luca, are forced to flee for their lives when the local drug cartel in Acapulco wreaks revenge for an explosive article written by her husband, an investigative journalist. Sixteen members of their family are killed but Lydia and her son escape, hiding in the bathroom. Because it’s a personal vendetta, she realises they must flee to the safety of the U.S. and her distant cousin in Denver is her only hope, as the cartel has tentacles everywhere in Mexico.
What follows is a harrowing 1600 mile, 19 day journey by way of bus, train rooves, trucks and on foot, throughout which Lydia is constantly fearful of the cartel members finishing off the job. The tension never ceases and you constantly worry for the two of them.
On this perilous journey they rely on others for help, some inspiringly courageous and others totally unprincipled. They also meet up with other would-be migrants, all with their own sad stories, and not all of them to be trusted.
It’s an incredible journey and an incredible book. Highly recommended.
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No criticisms at all. The reader becomes so much more aware of the plight of migrants and refugees.
Kika & Me (Non-fiction) — Amit Patel
A heart-warming true story of a young doctor who goes blind and eventually accepts a guide dog to help him adapt to his new way of life — and what a dog! An engaging and memorable story.
