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American Dirt

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American Dirt

By: Jeanine Cummins
Narrated by: Yareli Arizmendi
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'I couldn't put it down. I'll never stop thinking about it' Ann Patchett
'One hell of a novel about a good woman on the run with her beautiful boy' Stephen King

FEAR KEEPS THEM RUNNING. HOPE KEEPS THEM ALIVE.

Vivid, visceral, utterly compelling, AMERICAN DIRT is the first novel to explore the experience of attempting to illegally cross the US-Mexico border. Described as 'A Grapes of Wrath for our times' (Don Winslow) it is a story that will leave you utterly changed.

Yesterday, Lydia had a bookshop.
Yesterday, Lydia was married to a journalist.
Yesterday, she was with everyone she loved most in the world.

Today, her eight-year-old son Luca is all she has left.

For him, she will carry a machete strapped to her leg.
For him, she will leap onto the roof of a high speed train.
For him, she will find the strength to keep running.

(P)2020 Macmillan Audio©2020 Jeanine Cummins Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Exciting Heartfelt Scary Tear-jerking Fiction
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Critic reviews

Devastating and timely... its hard to imagine there will be a more urgent or politically relevant novel this year
This book is not simply the great American novel; it's the great novel of las Americas. It's the great world novel! This is the international story of our times. Masterful (Sandra Cisneros)
Heartstopping... doesn't let up... you will urge them on, fists clenched
Stunning... remarkable... an account of love on the run that will never lose steam
This might be the first book many people read this year... it might also be the best
Taut, tough, visceral, savage and exhilaratingly written
One hell of a novel about a good woman on the run with her beautiful boy... I defy anyone to read the first seven pages of this book and not finish it
AMERICAN DIRT transported me through genuine fear and had me willing on every human being struggling to get to a better life. Written with masterly restraint, it is a roaring human triumph
It's been a long time since I turned pages as fast as I did with American Dirt. Its journey is a testament to the power of fear and hope and belief that there are more good people than bad.
I devoured the novel in a dry-eyed adrenalin rush... profoundly moving
From its heart-stopping first sentence to its heart-shattering last, Cummins' story of immigrants is just what we need now
From the opening page your heart will be in your mouth You will never want to put this story down, Jeanine Cummins has written a novel of such moment, such danger and such compassion, it will change your view of the world
Urgent and unforgettable, AMERICAN DIRT leaps the borders of the page and demands attention, especially now
Riveting, timely, a dazzling accomplishment. Jeanine Cummins makes us all live and breathe the refugee story. If a book can change hearts and transform policies, this is the one
Both a moral compass and a riveting read
All stars
Most relevant
Couldn’t stop listening, I laughed, I cried and I didn’t want it to end. One of the best books I’ve listened to in a long long time.

Highly recommend

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unbelievable book! such a moving and gripping story, couldn't put it down. 10/10 weekend recommend

couldn't put it down!

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Just an incredible novel. I couldn't sleep while reading it without dreaming about the characters. So eye-opening. I'm so glad I listened to this... and will endeavour to find out more about the situation and help if I can.

Incredible

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Having been born and worked in Florida as a deputy sheriff I had a lot of contact with Mexican’s who came in to work in Strawberry fields & Orange/Citrus groves during harvest. Mostly I as a deputy sheriff had contact with many migrants when there was a problem. The bit about the Cartels rang true with their reach into Florida and their treatment of migrant women and the murders I worked where Mexican men were found shot in the head from behind whilst they were on their knees. Not a pretty site! “Termed the Hail Mary pose. Pretty sad!
But some of the other things was the poverty and slum like accommodations they had to endure. Pay was less than minimum wage & they had to pay utilities which left them with practically nothing. The stories I heard were pretty disturbing so the book rings true in that respect.
I think it’s a good book to read to educate yourselves on race relations of all manners. You’ll be the better for it.
Pick it up and read! Might be shocked, then again idk. Hopefully you’ll come out a better person because of it.

A book for all

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Despite the controversy and criticisms that this is not well written anyway, I would have no hesitation in recommending this book.
Good narration.
Well researched.
At a time when migration is a huge issue and there is such an unpleasant narrative around migrant peoples it's very relevant .
Reveals the reality faced by ordinary people in Mexico and Central America.
Interesting, moving and thought provoking .
It's essential to read /listen to the author's notes at the end.

Excellent

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