American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Book Description

Lydia lives in Acapulco. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while cracks are beginning to show in Acapulco because of the cartels, Lydia’s life is, by and large, fairly comfortable. But after her husband’s tell-all profile of the newest drug lord is published, none of their lives will ever be the same.

Forced to flee, Lydia and Luca find themselves joining the countless people trying to reach the United States. Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to?

Review

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins is one of those books that can really stir up a conversation. On one hand, it’s received a ton of praise, and on the other, it’s faced severe criticism. The story itself? It’s a gripping thriller. We follow Lydia and her young son, Luca, as they make a heart-pounding escape from Mexico to the United States after a drug cartel destroys their family.

American Dirt celebrates survival against tremendous odds. It praises the bravery, resilience, and determination of the migrants who travel to the US to seek safety. It offers a fast-paced plot and insight into the plight of the migrants who stream toward our southern border. The novel even got the Oprah’s Book Club stamp of approval.

Here’s where things get messy. There has been a tremendous backlash to the story. Readers and reviewers have accused Cummins of fetishizing trauma porn. Because Cummins is not Mexican herself, people have denounced American Dirt for leaning too heavily into stereotypes. They’ve criticized her for painting Mexico as a place defined by violence and danger. Moreover, they question whether someone with her background was the right person to tell this story, especially when there are many writers with firsthand experiences who could have offered a different perspective.

Inequity in Action

Much of the vitriol surrounding this book focuses on the details of the book deal itself. The publisher, Flatiron Books, reportedly won the book during a bidding war with a seven-figure offer. They then promoted and pushed the book hard. It worked; American Dirt became a massive bestseller.

But here’s the thing. Authors who are not white rarely get this kind of support.

This is wrong.

The publishing industry has a real problem with inequity, especially when it comes to whose voices get the spotlight and financial support.

But why should white authors telling diverse stories get bigger advances, splashier marketing, and more media buzz, while authors of color are left scrambling for the same opportunities?

Too often, stories by and about people of color are fighting an uphill battle for visibility and the resources they need to succeed, even though these stories offer perspectives that can broaden our understanding of the world. It’s not just about seeing more diverse books on the shelves. It’s also about making sure those books get the same financial backing.

If we want a truly inclusive literary world, then books by authors of color should get the same investment. Because, let’s be honest—these stories are just as valuable. They deserve a chance to thrive.

While I get the controversy surrounding American Dirt, I still found it to be an engrossing read. The novel utterly pulled me in. My heart broke for these characters, and for their struggles to find a better, safer life. Lydia and Luca’s odyssey to the U.S. is filled with danger and heartbreak. It’s hard not to feel empathy for their struggle and admiration for what they overcome during their fight to survive. Even more so because of their naïve beliefs that once they make it to the US, their troubles will cease.

Given everything that’s been happening in U.S. politics lately—the discussions about immigration and the treatment of refugees—it seems even more important for readers to cultivate empathy for those who are just trying to find a safe home. Regardless of where you stand on the criticism, American Dirt makes you think about the humanity behind the headlines.

As the child of an immigrant, I’m sympathetic to what Cummins wanted to do with this novel. It gave me another way to think about our southern border “crisis”. I’m also uncomfortable with the pushback that writers can only tell “their” stories. Honestly, I can’t help but wonder if American Dirt would have faced the same backlash if Cummins had tossed a few dragons or werewolves into her tale. Would it have softened the scrutiny, or would readers still have debated who gets to write what? A curious thought.

Content Warning

Blood, Death, Deportation, Grief, Gun Violence, Miscarriage, Murder, Rape, Suicide, Trafficking, Violence, Xenophobia

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Jayden Staines on Unsplash