American Dirt-A Book Review

American Dirt

Yes, I’ve been on a book reading binge. American Dirt was published in January of 2020 and chosen as one of Oprah’s Book Club picks. You may or may not know (I didn’t) that this book has caused quiet a stir. But more about that later. For now, let me just tell you about the book itself.

The setting is Acapulco, Mexico and it begins at a family barbecue hosted by Lydia Quixano Pérez and her husband, Sebastian. Their 8 year old son, Luca, makes his mother take him to the bathroom and while they are in there the whole family is murdered outside in their back yard. At first we don’t know why, but we learn that Sebastian was a journalist and he has written an expose about the kingpin of a drug cartel. The murders are pay back.

Lydia and Luca flee Mexico and the majority of the book is about their journey north to the United States. The plot is fast paced and believable but it reminded me of watching the Wizard of Oz as a little girl. When it got to the scary parts I would peep through my fingers, and American Dirt has a lot of scary parts.

I didn’t know that this book was on Oprah’s list or about the controversy surrounding it until after I read it. I simply read it because my aunt recommended it, but after I Googled it I realized how far off the beaten path I live when it comes to reading books. When I say that there is controversy surrounding this book and author, I don’t mean a little, tiny controversy. There is BIG CONTROVERSY…..so much that at times you can feel the heat radiating from the rage of ticked off reviewers. After reading these reviews I am sure of one thing. I am really glad I didn’t know about the controversy until after I read the book.

Do yourself a favor. Read the book first and then later, read about the controversy. Decide for yourself if you like it or not.

I did.

About the author

Jeanine Cummins is the author of four books: the bestselling memoir A Rip in Heaven, and the novels The Outside Boy, The Crooked Branch, and American Dirt. She lives in New York with her husband and two children.