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American Dirt

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American Dirt

By: Jeanine Cummins
Narrated by: Yareli Arizmendi
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Summary

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 'impossible to put down' (Saturday Review) and 'essential reading' (Tracy Chevalier), 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.

An Oprah's Bookclub Pick

As featured on Saturday Review

A BBC Radio 2 Bookclub Pick

Soon to be a BBC Radio 4 Book At Bedtime

A Book to Look Out For in the Observer, Stylist, Sunday Times, Independent, Vogue, New York Times, Oprah magazine, and more.

A Barnes and Noble Bookclub Pick

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

"One hell of a novel about a good woman on the run with her beautiful boy." (Stephen King)

"I couldn't put it down. I'll never stop thinking about it." (Ann Patchett)

"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." (John Grisham)
All stars
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I must admit, when I saw that two well known authors of fiction had recommended this book, I was quite skeptical. However, I decided to risk a credit and I have to say this book is quite remarkable. It has opened my eyes to so many things. I really had no idea that drug cartels had so much power in some parts of the world. It is essentially the story of a mother and her young son, after their world has been utterly devastated by the murder of their family. Yet despite the sheer awfulness of their situation, it never once lapses into self pity or sentimentality. I won’t say anymore. Highly recommended.

One of the best audio books I have listened to.

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I know it's by a white American but please read her essay on why she chose to write about this topic, then you'll understand why she did.
I can't believe how the world works and this book has just highlighted the true lottery that our lives are. I could have been born anywhere, but I'm lucky to be in a safe, peaceful place where I donot fear for my life. This book opened my eyes to how bad it can be if your coin lands on the 'wrong' side. Please read this book.

Eye Opening Narrative

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Brilliantly written, beautifully narrated - incredibly gripping novel from start to finish... I’m sad it’s over but so glad someone’s tackled this subject matter in such an eloquent way.

Best book I’ve listened to in ages

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I ended up having an affair with this book. I couldn’t get it out of my mind, I searched for opportunities to get back to it, I am bereft now it is finished.
Beautifully written, wonderfully narrated. Highly recommend

Beautiful written

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It’s like Sopranos meets Love in the time of cholera! I really couldn’t wait to finish work so I could listen to the book. Really well read too.

Total page turner!

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