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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
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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)

What listeners say about American Dirt

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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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An Extremely moving & thought provoking beautiful story.

I loved this story & was so moved by the plight of the Migrants,I cried for half an hour on finishing the book, I felt this subject was approached with real understanding & compassion.loved the characters & the narration.
I cried for the characters in the book but most of all for all the migrants that have & will be as I write this review from the comfort of my bed be making & have made a perilous journey to freedom & all the trauma gathered whilst making that journey. God bless you all !

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Heart wrenching and totally gripping

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

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Outstandingly gripping book every one should read!

From the first few pages I was taken along on a fast moving ride through this story. I implore you to read it, share it with your friends and have your book club read it - you won't be disappointed! Must be a movie soon as it includes violence, love, loss, desperation, fear, drama, parental sacrifice, a real insight into a hidden world we in the UK hear so little about other than 'build a wall' definitely read for all.

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Wow! What a book!

I absolutely loved this book. It made me feel all sorts of emotions and the characters were so believable.
The narrator on audible was brilliant and really brought everything to life.

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Finished too quickly at the end

As a reader I loved the characters that were so humanised needed to be longer.

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A story we all need to hear

I was gripped by this story as soon as I started to listen to it, the narration is perfect and the story is harrowing yet inspiring. It is a story for all of us lucky enough to not be fleeing danger to listen to and learn from.

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excellent

excellent book, recommended to me by my mother and aunt. Will recommend to other people

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loved it

a brilliant and powerful book the author knows her subject and the characters are very real I could not stop listening please also make sure to continue to the authors notes

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Redemption journey

Poignant story of a mother's love, dedication and bravery as she and her son travel through cartel-controlled Mexico on their journey to America and freedom from their pursuers. Beautifully crafted characters throughout.

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