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American Dirt cover art

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

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)

What listeners say about American Dirt

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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best audio books I’ve listened to.

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.

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78 people found this helpful

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A story of courage and compassion, amidst your worst imaginings.

I was drawn to this book by its accompanying marketing. When Stephen King says a novel is critical reading, I listen no matter the genre. I live in the uk, I am English with Celtic heritage. Here immigration is also a political hit potato. We are however far removed from cartels, yet European traffickers are villains of nightmare also.
American Dirt was not as I had expected, it treats the grotesque with a deserving contempt, but it does not trade on suffering. And therefore we have a fictitious novel that can at times seem slow , that is until you remind yourself that the journey undertaken and experiences described are a daily reality. There is no need for exaggeration because if you view the narrative through the eyes of truth it is horrifying to the extreme. It is human suffering at its worst. May those who rally against sanctuary lower their heads in well deserved shame. And remember, as you greet your child at the school gate, and enjoy the many freedoms we have in a lawful free democracy: “There but for the grace of God go I.”

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56 people found this helpful

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Break down your prejudices, stop and think

The story of a respectable business owner fleeing a murderous drug cartel in Acapulco. An epic, turbulent and emotional tale. Gripping. Horrifying. A must read. When you think of migrants in the future, no matter where in the world, pause to ask yourself: how bad must their lives have been to take such a risk.

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40 people found this helpful

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Eye Opening Narrative

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.

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36 people found this helpful

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Best book I’ve listened to in ages

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.

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24 people found this helpful

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A book everyone should read

Moving, honest, raw, human - an insight into the horrors people trying to escape horrors have to go through to get to a country that doesn’t want them - heartbreaking

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19 people found this helpful

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A truly marvellous achievement.

This is such a brilliantly written novel. Full incredibly fully fleshed characters. What terrible experiences they have suffered but full of the will to survive. I am so impressed.

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17 people found this helpful

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Oh Dios mío I love this book!



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.

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15 people found this helpful

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Highly recommend

Couldn’t stop listening, I laughed, I cried and I didn’t want it to end. One of the best books I’ve listened to in a long long time.

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14 people found this helpful

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couldn't put it down!

unbelievable book! such a moving and gripping story, couldn't put it down. 10/10 weekend recommend

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13 people found this helpful