I hope everyone is enjoying these pretty summer days and the flowers in bloom despite our trying Covid times. Hard to believe: we just passed the summer solstice and the longest day of 2020. How are your reading goals looking at the midway point of the year? So far I’m on track to reach mine but still remain a bit distracted by virus spikes, crazy political news, and wondering if the economy will come back. The U.S./Canadian border remains closed for another month, flights out of here are pretty minimal, and plans to see my folks in California are on hold till I figure out a safe way. I will continue to assess the situation for August and stay put in the interim.
Meanwhile in book news I was really sorry to see that famous Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafron, age 55, passed away last week from cancer. What a terrible loss as his four-part series “The Cemetery of Forgotten Books,” which started with his 2001 novel “The Shadow of the Wind” was much beloved globally.
My husband enjoyed it and I still have it on my TBR backlist. This should be the year for it. Judy over at the blog Keep the Wisdom just finished all four in the series, which ended with Zafron’s 2016 novel “The Labyrinth of Spirits,” and had great things to say about it. Thankfully his books live on in the wake of his sad passing. Have you read his 2001 bestseller? And now I’ll leave you with a couple of reviews of what I finished lately.
Prairie Fever by Michael Parker / Algonquin Books / 336 pages / 2019
Synopsis: This novel, which came out last year and is just out now in paperback, is about two dissimilar sisters, ages 15 and 17, who are closely bound to each other by their isolation growing up and going to school by horseback on the desolate prairie in Oklahoma in the early 1900s. They have a strong reliance on one another … until a cataclysmic blizzard has tragic consequences, and their interest in the same man comes between them. Uh-oh.
Lorena is the older one who’s practical and pretty and dreams of attending college, while the younger Elise likes to recite newspaper articles by rote and is driven by flights of fancy and jesting with her sister. She’s fond of the family horse and has an ear for piano playing. Neither at first thinks much of the young inexperienced teacher Gus McQueen who arrives from out of town to work at their school … but later when the blizzard hits … their lives become entangled and changed forever.
My Thoughts: The story, which spans from 1917 to 1940, drew me in little by little to the hardships of their lives on the prairie — with their preoccupied parents who lost sons to illness — and the strength of their bonds … as the chapters alternate among the three main characters: Elise, Lorena, and Gus. Their lives are drawn together … and then later due to events are abruptly altered irrevocably and diverge. You wonder as the years pass what will become of them … as they marry and move away and whether there will be a reconciliation of sorts or if their paths will cross again.
It’s a story that reminded me a bit of a Willa Cather kind of rural tale of two sisters whose lives and hearts are tested. I could relate to Lorena more … as at times Elise’s flighty actions lead to trouble. The language and the landscape transported me to their days on the prairie and delivered a kind of reckoning at the end in which it seemed the passage of time had helped. I liked how the author captured the time and place of this bittersweet sisterly tale and will watch for whatever he writes next.
In disclosure: I received an e-galley of this novel from the publisher Algonquin Books to read and review. Thanks for making it possible.
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins / Flatiron Books / 2020 / 16 hours, 43 minutes on audio read by Yareli Arizmendi
Synopsis: When a drug cartel operating around Acapulco massacres members of a family, a woman (Lydia) and her 8-year-old son (Luca) flee and make a plan to try to escape to safety over the southern border of the United States.
My Thoughts: It seems most know if they intend to read this novel, which received so much press, by now. It won’t be for everyone. But I was curious by the uproar over it and a friend said she couldn’t put it down. So I took the plunge. My initial reaction after finishing the lengthy audiobook of it was: Whoa it’s a long hellish journey that Lydia and her son Luca endure along with others, particularly two sisters Soledad and Rebeca, fleeing circumstances in Honduras, whom they meet and befriend on the run. All will face endless hair-raising hurdles that’ll set you on edge and grind your teeth. It’s exhaustive and harrowing in places and you’ll need a good breather after.
In many ways it’s typical thriller fare … and does not exactly rise much above that. So it’s not too surprising to hear the criticism that it exploits migrants and perpetuates stereotypes. Thrillers on the whole are pretty manipulative and are meant to turn pages. To its credit I will say its story made me think of migrants’ plights in a visceral way and unmoored me. Oprah didn’t make it her book club choice for nothing. It’s a strong cup of coffee that bears witness to a lot of suffering and desperate people fleeing violence.
From the story, you’ll get a sense of why caravans of people travel thousands of miles to arrive at the U.S. border with the hope of escaping something horrible in their homeland: whether it be from gangs, murder, drug cartels, relentless oppression and violence. You’ll also get a sense of the many dangers they face along the way to get there: whether jumping on top of trains, fleeing authorities, getting robbed and raped, existing without shelter or food or water in punishing conditions. It’ll drain your blood being in Lydia’s and the others’ shoes. Is it really any wonder you’ll feel or show them some compassion (which seems the purpose of the book). Some of the people along their route do and help them … while others prey on them. You’ll be wary to figure out whom to trust.
Some parts of the story might not seem totally believable … like how the protagonist Lydia — might know and be friends with the head cartel guy in Acapulco and not know this about him … or not have her family go into hiding after her journalist husband writes an expose of his crimes. But other parts of the dangerous journey will seem perhaps all too believable and real in one’s head.
I’m sure there are various migrant or Latino authors who have written about such treks and issues in more substantial or nuanced ways. And I will look to read their works and in general to read more from authors of diversity and from different countries. Diversity and other nationalities are where we can learn so much about other lives and viewpoints. In ways this thriller — and the furor it’s caused in the publishing and reading world — points readers to other books and authors to pick up and explore. Therefore I’m not all against Jeanine Cummins or what she’s written and obviously researched. She raises hair-raising events about issues you’ll think about long after. Read or don’t read it at your own whim. The audiobook is read convincingly by Mexican actress and director Yareli Arizmendi, who felt realistically like the character of Lydia.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read these novels or authors and if so, what did you think?
Yes, I am enjoying my flowers! So sorry you can’t see your parents. Hopefully someday soon but right now it does not look good to me in either LA County or Orange County, San Diego Country maybe a bit better. But with all the additional cases adding up, I fear it will only spread around the state more.
Thanks for the shout out!
I am glad to get your take on American Dirt. I agree that she gave readers who might not read much about these immigrants in other books. Kind of like The Help for the racism stuff. I would though recommend The Lost Children Archive by Luiselli Valeria for a wonderfully complete and nuanced story about those immigrants from Central America.
https://keepthewisdom.blogspot.com/search?q=lost+children+archive
The other book you reviewed sounds great to me. I love Willa Cather.
Thanks Judy for reminding me about The Lost Children Archive novel. I remember reading your review … and I do want to read the book! I will put it back on my list. Valeria seems like a very interesting author.
I hope Calif. won’t lose control of the spread of the virus. My folks live in San Bernardino County … which apparently has the fifth most cases in the state. Sigh. But they aren’t in a nursing home thankfully … as sadly that is where a lot of the outbreaks are. Stay safe!
I haven’t read American Dirt, but I think you hit the nail with your review. I’ve been eyeing it more as a thriller than as a migrant story. Whether we like it or not, there are a ton of books that are created as thrillers set against a political or environmental tragedy and written by authors who may not be the “right” persons to tell the story. If it truly leads you to other migrant stories, excellent! If it doesn’t, which can be for any number of reasons (maybe you don’t want to, maybe you didn’t find the time, maybe you didn’t find a book, or maybe you had no idea there could be more authentic experiences) – then we’ve lost an opportunity to educate. I think all the furore over this book has brought some new awareness (hope not just in the book news world) but more than that, I hope it leads the way to publish more #ownvoices books.
This is the first I’m hearing of Prairie Fever but I’m itching to find out what happened.
Thanks Athira for your thoughts. I guess American Dirt probably does lead people to read about a migrant story who wouldn’t otherwise do so. So that can’t be all bad. New awareness must be a good thing, right? Meanwhile we push on to read more #ownvoices books. Enjoy your week.
California’s new cases of COVID went up by 5K in one day. One day! Yes, it will be awhile before you can visit again.
American Dirt was high on my list until the controversy which made my enthusiasm to read it disappear in a flash. I wasn’t even that into the controversy but I guess in these pandemic days I don’t have much patience for things.
I think I will be okay with my reading goal for the year but I got way sidetracked between March and May. I am reading The Dutch House now and loving it so much. I’m not even sure why I am loving it so much. It seems beautiful and tragic at the same time and I am in a weepy mood over my son moving back to his college town.
Sorry about your son Ti. It’s hard when families part, ugh! I can’t believe your news that Covid went up so much in Calif.! Terrible! Not happy about that. I hope it won’t get totally out of control. It’s crazy.
I’m glad you are liking The Dutch House … I liked the beginning of it … but then it sort of spun its wheels to me. American Dirt is sort of high octane … and maybe a bit intense for right now. take care of yourself there.
My reading has been a bit slow due to long working hours.
Great review of American Dirt. It does make sense to read other authors closer to real events. This does sound good however. The fury and personal attacks against Cummings were unjustified on every level.
Thanks Brian. Yeah I really didn’t care for the attacks on Jeanine Cummins … and the death threats against her. It felt like censorship … and unjustified. The debate over Latino authors & who gets paid by publishers is a good one … as well as critiquing her book …. but censoring Cummins’s voice & book seems like something else. I hope your work doesn’t get too crazy this summer. Stay well.
Covid is so stressful for everything these days. My mom is in a retirement apartment complex, but families are not allowed to visit except for an hour max outside. I can’t risk flying there for an hour visit! I am driving to MT on Friday to spend some time with my grandkids. Not super excited about the drive, but haven’t seen them since November. Luckily, they live in a fairly rural area and still have had no cases in their county. Enjoy these summer days!
Thanks Susie. Sorry to hear about your mother. Ugh, times are tough for families who are apart & can’t reunite. It’s worrisome. I’m sure you will be careful on your drive to Montana … and will have plenty of audiobooks lined up for the road trip. I’ll stop by your site to see what you’ll be listening to. It’ll be great to visit with your grandkids once you get there. Have a great time! & congrats on the end of the school year. Enjoy.
I am not sure if I am going to read American Dirt, but I’ve heard good things about it despite the controversy. I loved Shadow of the Wind when I read it years ago and was so sad to hear of the author’s death at such a young age (my age!). And, someone just told me Prairie Fire was good.
Hi Helen, thanks for your thoughts. I’m glad you loved Shadow of the Wind so many I’ve heard from in the past … seemed to think it was fantastic so I need to get on it this year. It totally shocked me to hear of the author’s passing … I’m of that age too! (Too young to go.) Enjoy your week.
I read American Dirt and found the writing rather mediocre and uninspired. Nevertheless, the story is an important one and the writer, I think, made a good faith effort to relate it sympathetically. I felt she was perhaps limited by a lack of real understanding of Mexican culture and so had to resort to stereotypes as characters. The fact that her book at least brought the plight of Central American refugees to the attention of many readers is a good thing and one would hope that it would encourage them to actually read some of the writers from that region.
Prairie Fever sounds interesting. I don’t recall having heard of it or its author before, but based on your review it seems like a worthwhile read.
Thanks Dorothy for your thoughts. I respect your knowledge of Latino authors and culture and I can see how this book & it’s payment & attention could really piss them off. The novel seemed to me like regular thriller kind of fare … most of which is not great writing. Still perhaps as you say it might have also done some good … despite its stereotypes? Maybe it’ll cause publishers & readers to give more attention to writers from these countries. hmm. I suspect maybe it has. Have a great week.
Hi Susan – finishing up Circe and about to begin American Dirt, thanks for your review, I’m looking forward to reading this book!
Hi V, I hope you two are doing well … and are loving your summer in paradise. Are you playing any tennis these days? Hope there is not much Covid there. Not traveling is quite a bummer …. but summer is here and things are nice near the Rockies. I’m playing quite a bit of tennis now and enjoying the exercise.
You know I never read Circe b/c I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it …. what do you think? American Dirt … is sort of intense but fairly fast though long. Enjoy your days!
I found it interesting that you mentioned Willa Cather while writing about Prairie Fever, as that is who I immediately thought of as I read the synopsis. I grew up in San Diego, but moved to Nebraska (Lincoln) in the early 90s and spent 25 years there before moving to the Oregon coast. I had never heard of Cather until I attended a Great Plains Lit course in UNL and she quickly became a favorite author. I’ll have to put Prairie Fever on my TBR list.
My book group is reading American Dirt later this year, so I’ll have to come back to your review to compare with my thoughts once I’ve read the book.
With regard to the pandemic, our numbers in our small county in Oregon (50,000 residents) have spiked this month, growing from a mere 15 to over 300 in just three weeks. Nothing like Texas, Arizona or California, but still very unsettling. We had two deaths this week and one was a 68-year-old gentleman who had no underlying conditions. He could have been my husband! 🙁
I’m enjoying your blog and look forward to reading some of your earlier posts. I was born in Ottawa, but haven’t been back to Canada other than to B.C. We had planned to take our RV up to Vancouver Island for a month this spring, but obviously those plans were shelved for another time. Maybe next year??
Be well & stay safe.
Hi Les, thanks for your note! Wow, Ottawa — does that mean you have dual citizenship? You have lived in some interesting places. I too grew up in Southern Calif. And once lived 3 years in Seattle, so I know a bit of Oregon … very pretty.
It is unsettling to see areas in the U.S. spiking with the virus right now; we are staying relatively low in Canada. Sorry about your travel plans; we are looking a bit at Vancouver Island perhaps for retirement. Hopefully you’ll get there next time. You stay well too! Did you like living in Lincoln?
Yes, I have dual citizenship, which may come in handy if things get worse after November… I’m half joking, but we’re currently living with my 87-year-old mother, so we probably wouldn’t move to Canada anytime soon. Where in Southern CA did you live? I was in the San Diego area (Del Mar, Solana Beach, Tierrasanta, Santee, and Vista). My dad lived in Seattle for many years (17 or so on Lake Union on his 48′ Richardson), as well as Kingston (WA) for many more. We cruised the San Juans with him one summer, which was heavenly. I love that area and think VI would be a great spot for retirement! Yes, we loved Lincoln and it was a great spot to raise our daughter, but we got very tired of the bitterly cold winters and the hot, muggy summers. Now that we’re in Oregon, we’ve forgotten what that weather is like. We pretty much live in jeans and fleece, year round! We’re lucky if we hit 72 here on the coast. 🙂
Looking forward to getting to know you as I peruse your earlier posts. Take care!
Thanks Lesley, Oregon sounds ideal now with moderate temps. Hopefully we won’t have more bad news in November as I don’t think the country can take 4 more years, for sure! I grew up in Redlands, Calif. and later was in Newport Beach. But moved away after college to various places, like Wash, D.C. Been in Canada 10 years now — with a Canadian husband, liking it here. We’ve done some sailing trips. It sounds like you sail … great. Stay well.
Susan, we used to drive through Redlands on our way up to Big Bear for skiing or spending time at my parents’ cabin in Fawnskin. Small world. Nope, not sailing but motorcruising. Still a lot of fun! I love being on the water, especially up in the San Juans.
My nephew is pursuing dual citizenship with Italy and I’ve decided to join him. Just in case November goes south…
Interesting Deb, wow! Italy would be fabulous but we must win in Nov.
I was surprised to read of Zafon’s death as well. I’m only four years younger than he was when cancer took him and that hits close to home. He was taken far too early.
I have the first three books in this series and have known ABOUT him for a long time and many I know and trust have loved these books, particularly the first one. I just haven’t made time to read it. I even won an autographed copy of the second book from a fundraising event author Patrick Rothfuss held. I really should read this.
I totally can relate Carl. Zafon’s first one in the series has been on the shelf here forever it seems. We should both try to make time for it this year. 🙂 … I was shocked to hear of his death … he was the same age as I am, ugh.
I was glad recently to find your blog … thru Ti over at bookchatter. You have some interesting posts … and I will continue to check back to see. Hope your week is great.
Thanks Susan.
And yes, we really should make time. I was downstairs cleaning up my basement book area and came across the second book in the series and was thinking the same thing.
I heard Book 2 The Angel’s Game was much darker than Book 1 and therefore readers liked it less than Book 1, but I need to find out for myself if that is the case. We will see once I get to it.
I’ve gone back and forth about American Dirt for months. I was sure I wanted to read it in January. Then came all the dirt (sorry) on American Dirt, and I said no. Then again Oprah chose it, and she always chooses good stories. So yes. Readers I respect read it and said it was mostly a thriller, and I generally skip those.
And now I hear you say some things that encourage me to look at it again, especially in the sense that it speaks to the immigrant experience.
Maybe yes, then. Later in the year, maybe.
Hi Deb — I’m not exactly sure you’d like American Dirt since I think it’s mostly a thriller and it’s violent in many parts but then again …. Perhaps there’s too much else to read.
I’ve been reading like a fiend to try and be caught up with my reviews promised if/when I go back to work 😉 I just finished Prairie Fever yesterday. It was a solid meh from me. 😀 Take care of you and yours!
Thanks Becki — I’ll stop by and see your thoughts on Prairie Fever … if there are others I like checking out what they thought. Hope your work starts up again.
I loved Shadow of the Wind and have read a couple of his other books, but not the whole series, so I was very sad to hear of Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s death. So young.
Hi Marg: thanks for your thoughts on Shadow of the Wind … I was shocked too to hear of the author’s passing. My husband loved the novel and I still hope to get to it later this year.
I am enjoying our flowers more than ever this summer because we are actually home to enjoy spending time on our deck. I read American Dirt and found it quite a thriller. I couldn’t put it down. On the other hand, it was difficult to become more aware of the hardships that the Central American refugees have to endure in their desperation to escape. I think the author’s intention to bring empathy for the immigrants was accomplished.
Yes I agree Judee: I thought the author of American Dirt succeeded in bringing attention & empathy to migrants at the border … from me etc. And I hope other migrant authors about their experiences. Glad you are enjoying time on your deck — I can relate here. take care.
Sadly, I am not on track with this years reading goals, and I doubt I’ll make it up.
I would like to read American Dirt eventually, if only to form my own opinion on the controversy.
Wishing you a great reading week
Thanks Shelleyrae: it seems you read a lot of books per week even if you aren’t where your goal is. It’s just an abnormal year this crazy year. And forming one’s own opinion on American Dirt is best. Enjoy your week.
I’ve heard of American Dirt as well but don’t think I have the attention span to read it right now. Mysteries, adventure, poetry, and anti-racism books are filling up my dance card right now. Can’t believe we have passed the longest day of the year. The weather is so cool and overcast, it hardly seems like summer. My Sunday Salon is full of good news
Hi Anne: recently we’ve had a ton of rain here. Can’t wait for summer to start. thanks for stopping by.
I really enjoyed your review on American Dirt. I don’t know if I’ll ever read it but I enjoy hearing about others’ reactions and views.
I’m so sorry you haven’t been able to visit your parents. I hope you will find a way to do so soon.
I am so sad to hear about the death of Zafon’s death. I loved The Shadow of the Wind. I still haven’t read the rest of the series, though. I need to get on that. I hope you enjoy your week and everyone stays healthy and safe!
Thanks Heather, I dont think there’s a real need to read American Dirt, there’s plenty of migrant books out there. I still hope to get to The Shadow of the Wind and I’m glad you liked it. Who knows when I’ll be able to see my folks but we continue to do Zoom calls. I’m still thinking of trying to get there in August but the virus cases seem to be rising. Sigh. Have a great 4th!
I haven’t decided if I’m going to read American Dirt or not yet. I will probably pick it up as an audiobook at some point when I’m undecided on what to listen to next.
Hi Donna: thanks for stopping by … American Dirt seems an audio kind of book — since it’s a thriller. I hope to stop by your site soon and see what you’re reading. Cheers.
Thanks for leading me back to your review of American Dirt. I’d forgotten I’d already commented on it! 😉 I’m going to look for a copy of The Lost Children Archive, which one of your friends mentioned. Also on my list is Enrique’s Journey. Nothing like a good book to inspire one to read more on the subject!
Yeah Lesley …. I was interested to hear your thoughts about American Dirt …. people seem to either love it or hate it …. I was sort of in between … but I have nothing against her writing it etc. I am curious too about The Lost Children Archive but it’s a long TBR list I have currently. I think American Dirt does inspire more reading on the subject — so that can’t be bad at all. You’re right. take care.