There is almost as much written about the writing and publication of this novel as there is about the novel itself. Almost all the criticism revolves around the American author being half-white (the other half is Puerto Rican, but definitely not Mexican), so how on earth can she be qualified to write about the Mexican migrant experience, or even about being Mexican. Her characters, their behaviours, plot backgrounds are very stereotyped portraying Mexicans and Mexico as border line 3rd world, entirely violent, rife with poverty and many other portrayals that us in the West, especially those outside the US, have of Mexico and its people. And that a non-Latino woman can get a book about a Latino issue published and promoted ahead of Mexican and other Latino writers, especially female writers. These would be the main criticisms, and you can go onto Good Reads and read the passion, anger, and vitriol that the publication of this book has produced. Over 10,000 people have made reviews of this.
I have no idea what is true and what isn't, how much of the actual migrant experience has been embellished or ignored or is accurately portrayed in this novel. Despite all that, and in the words of one GoodReads reviewer, this is a great piece of fiction writing - don't forget that word fiction - and whether the author is sufficiently qualified to write such a story does not detract from this being compelling, horrifying, tragic, joyous, and a complete page turner. I certainly could not put it down, had strange and weird dreams, I bet my blood pressure was elevated while reading this. Is a book that makes you react in such a way, that keeps you thinking long after it is finished, that makes you want to read more about the subject matter a bad book? I don't think so - anything that increases awareness of those whose lives are different from ours has to be a good thing. Very worth while reading. Read all the other reviews after finishing the book.
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