I just finished reading this novel, which was a book that was part of the Oprah Book Club, and I see why. It was a very good book. This book is the story of two Mexicans- Lydia, and her son 8 years old son, Luca who have just escaped a massacre in their hometown of Acapulco and are heading north. Lydia knows that the cartel behind the massacre will pursue them once they find out that Lydia and her son are alive. She decides the only way for them to stay alive is to escape across the border to the United States.

I don’t want to get into the politics of immigration here, I will leave that up to others. I just want to focus on this intense story of a mother doing everything she can to keep herself and her son alive. This story is a long and a hard trip traveling north throughout Mexico. I found myself transfixed on their journey, and rooting for them to stay alive. All kinds of challenges and dangers befalls their path, and they come across a variety of people, good and bad.

Again, I’m trying to steer clear of any talk about the pros and cons of immigration, or the politics behind it. There is another place, another time for that- but what this book does though– for me at least, is putting myself in the mindset of individuals who are trying to make that journey here to the United States. We are constantly hearing politicians talk about the southern border, about the number of people crossing, or the number of people trying to cross- but what I never have really thought about before- is just how HARD that journey can be. And what people have or may have to do to do it. This book gives you a bit of a glimpse in that, I think.

But aside from all of that, it’s a good dramatic story that keeps you reading, wanting to know what happens next. I’m glad I picked it up to read, and maybe some of you will too.