By Jeanine Cummins
Can a book ever live up to its controversy and hype? This one came close. It is the tale of a woman enveloped in tragedy that must protect and nurture her son through an unimagineable journey for the frayed possibility of a new hope. The end of her journey bears no promise, yields very little satisfaction, but isn’t that too often the nature of endings?
Lydia and her family are the object of a drug cartel’s, Los Jardineros, wrath, decimating everyone in one awful afternoon. Because of the cartel’s undisputed authority, she and the only other survivor of the carnage, her son, Luca, are forced to run. Knowing that everywhere in Mexico will be the same or worse, other cartels will take her back to the kingpin of Los Jardineros, La Lechuza, she decides to try for the border, El Norte. The story then takes us on Lydia’s heart wrenching journey of violence, fear, and desperation.
The controversy surrounding this book stems from the author, Jeanine Cummins. Some say she is not latina, and therefore this is not entitled to tell this story. What is frustrating is that she herself states this in the book as part of her author’s note. She admits she wishes she were “browner” and telling this story, but she felt compelled to tell the story based on the society we live in and not being able to stand by any longer. It seems unfair to use her own words against her, especially when she is trying to shine a light on a topic from which other’s are hiding.
Sandra Cisneros, celebrated Mexican-American author states the same idea and has been unwavering in her support of Cummins, who claims a Puerto Rican grandmother. I agree with Cisneros’ stance that this novel, the publicity it has generated, and the awareness it could begin to bring to the plight of immigrants are all good things. The fact that Cummins book tour has been cancelled due to multiple death threats, suggests that A) people have not read the book and B) we have lost our ability to talk, to discuss, to debate, and to allow room for a different perspective from our own. These things have led to the persecution these same people are protesting against. We are no better. We all need to be better.
Soundtrack
- La Sandunga bv Lila Downs
- Rise Up by Andra Day
- Rise by Katy Perry
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Pros & Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- While tragic events unfold through the story, it is clear that Cummins does not make every last awful thing happen to her characters just to make it miserable and have shock value. There are good people, there is hope.
- I learned a lot about the geography of Mexico thanks to Luca, and about the differences in language. Since one of the critiques is that the book is racist, I felt the characters had dimension, depth, and did not suffer from stereotypes with which I am familiar.
- There is a bookstore! Lydia being the owner is a savior multiple times for her.
Cons
- All of the deaths hit pretty hard, except for one awful rapist at the end.
- The beautiful, amazing sisters that help to restore Lydia and Luca’s humanity are put through their paces in some horrific situations. It is almost as if while Lydia and Luca are restored, Soledad and Rebeca are exsanguinated.
- Purely personally, I have a healthy fear of visiting Mexico now.