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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 Fiction Exciting Heartfelt Scary Tear-jerking
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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
This book took me a while to get into and I almost gave up, the start took off with a bang but then I found it fell flat, although I stuck with it and ended up not being able to stop listening. it is well written and had solid character stories.

Enjoyable

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Great narrator. Personal feeling narrative.
At times shocking but sadly factual regarding the brutality of the Mexican drug cartels.

Engrossing

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Makes me think the detractors of this book have something to gain from not having the spotlight shone on the migrant situation.

Excellent

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I was glued to this book, the story grabs you from the very start and holds your attention the entire way through. A tragic but beautiful story of struggle and resilience. I found the narrator's voice and tone very easy to listen to. Would definitely recommend.

A must read/listen

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This should become a set work in schools. Insightful and fully engaging bringing reality to the world wide struggle of migrants. Excellent research and beautifully written.

A brilliant must read for everyone. Powerful words

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