The Book Nook

Running towards hope In “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins we meet Lydia Pérez, a woman who owns a small book store.  She’s enjoying a family celebration at her mother’s Acapulco home nearby, unaware that within moments nearly everyone she loves will be dead. Her husband Sebastián’s exposé of a cartel leader was recently published by the newspaper he worked for and when there was no immediate reaction from the gangster the couple was cautiously optimistic.  But there’s a saying “Revenge is a dish best served cold”.  Waiting until most of the extended family was gathered in one spot, he sent thugs to murder them all.  The cold-blooded massacre was intended not only to eliminate an enemy but also to warn others into keeping silent. Because Lydia and her eight-year-old son Luca had temporarily stepped away from the party, they’re still alive.  For now.  The police arrive and all but confirm her suspicions that after a cursory investigation there will be no arrests, no trial and no justice. Numb with shock, one thought occurs to her.  Once the crime lord learns she and Luca are still alive he’ll use every resource at hand to raise the family death count by two.  Income from drugs, prostitution and other criminal activity have made him and other crime lords very powerful figures with eyes and ears in every corner of the country. In a few horrifying moments she’s been stripped of her family and any sense of security.  All she has now is Luca and one goal: to keep themselves safe and alive as long as she can.  That means they must run as fast and as far as they can and immediately before news of their survival spreads. But where to go?  Fear has turned many Mexicans into informants, including bus drivers, hotel employees and police, among others.  To force cooperation, the cartels use bribes, threats, torture and murder.  This means she can’t afford to trust anyone. Knowing Mexico is no longer safe she hastily forms a plan to flee to America without any notion of where to start and at the moment she’s ignorant of what lies ahead.  Along with a few possessions, Lydia carries an enormous burden, part of which is caused by survivor’s guilt while the balance stems from another source that will be revealed in time.  Although both are in shock, she convinces Luca they’re on an adventure that requires them to move immediately. As one possibility after another for escape is eliminated, Lydia has few resources, although she has much more than most of the other migrants they’ll meet.  Some have walked countless miles before reaching Mexico on their journey north.  All are frightened, knowing the odds are against them. Luca is a major source of worry.  His fears and nightmares break her heart, but there’s little she can do.  The act of running provided a distraction that allowed them to keep a lid on their distress, but taking time to mourn their loss and start the process of healing is a luxury they can’t yet afford. Fortunately, some people are willing to help, providing a glimmer of hope through small and large acts of kindness as they try to survive from one hour to the next.  From the terrifying opening to the final page, this story takes us along on their frantic escape and I won’t ruin reader’s enjoyment by revealing the ending. Cummins uses Lydia’s story to examine serious and complicated issues that cause people to risk everything in hopes of a better life or just to continue living.  There are grim object lessons and hard truths here, and the handling of them has brought attention to “American Dirt” that the author may not have anticipated. Like Sebastián’s exposé, this book has also sparked a reaction but thankfully not a massacre, although the remainder of Cummins’ book tour was cancelled out of fear for her safety.  She’s been applauded by some for bringing attention to the political minefield of immigration and criticized by others for using Latin stereotypes to portray characters for personal gain. The inclusion of “American Dirt” in Oprah Winfrey’s book club was welcomed by some, but also brought accusations that she gave the book more attention than it deserved and mishandled the controversy that followed.  Those wondering about the swirl of controversy surrounding this publication will find plenty of comments online from both sides. The book jacket contains endorsements from notable writers such as Stephen King and Ann Patchett, among others.  Regardless of reactions to Cummins story, it does portray the fear of watching a country’s crime and corruption creep into formerly safe areas.  It also provides a window into the poverty and desperation that push people to leave their homeland in search of a better life. The undecided can look at articles to determine if they’ll read “American Dirt”, or read this taut thriller before delving into the commentaries.  Whatever the decision, this book has started conversations about immigration, cultural appropriation and who the publishing industry decides to include or exclude.  The question to what happens beyond remains to be seen.