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American Dirt

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American Dirt

By: Jeanine Cummins
Narrated by: Yareli Arizmendi
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Summary

 '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 Exciting Heartfelt Scary Tear-jerking Fiction
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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


American Dirt.....WOW....what a story! The book is so beautifully written.
Cummins is a very talented and imaginative writer.
She may not be Mexican nor an Immigrant and the story may not be completely accurate.... BUT this is a story that must be told in any way possible.
I am ashamed I hesitated to purchase this powerful book because of the negative media surrounding it.

There are no superlatives perfect enough to describe the wonderful narrator, her beautiful voice lingers on long after I stop listening, I feel I have lived and witnessed this whole journey.

Oh Dios mío I love this book!

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This is an amazingly read, incredibly written, desperate story of violence, grief and the absolutely primal love of a Mother for her child.
The characters will stay with me for a long time, all of them believable, as were the situations that they found themselves in.

I highly recommend this book, but be prepared for a 'journey'

An Absolutely Incredible Book

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A beautifully written, almost poetic story of love, survival, empathy, fear, the horror of the human psyche entwined with a humanity so deep; this makes compelling listening. Hard to break away from. You're there with every one of Lydia and Luca's urgent, cautious, terrified steps. Observations of the tiniest of details of real life brings this story into your mind like you're witnessing it in the first person. Not sure I'll watch the film when it's released, I can't imagine it could do this book justice.

Gripping and important.

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Wow, what a book! I'm struggling for the right words. One of the best books I've ever bought, and the narration is perfect. Although long, I'm sad I'm at the end of it and have to leave the characters behind. They will undoubtedly stay with me.

Incredible!

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Best book I have “read” in a long time. And I read a LOT of books. Narrator has a wonderful voice.

Heart wrenching and totally gripping

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