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American Dirt

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American Dirt

By: Jeanine Cummins
Narrated by: Yareli Arizmendi
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About this listen

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 Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Exciting Heartfelt Scary Tear-jerking Fiction

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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)
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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.

Best book I’ve listened to in ages

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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 !

An Extremely moving & thought provoking beautiful story.

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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.

A story we all need to hear

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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.

Redemption journey

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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

loved it

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

Finished too quickly at the end

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

excellent

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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.

Outstandingly gripping book every one should read!

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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.

Wow! What a book!

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

Heart wrenching and totally gripping

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