“One of the very first bullets comes in through the open window above the toilet where Luca is standing.” — Jeanine Cummins, American Dirt

Some books are easy to read. American Dirt is not one of them. It tells the story of a mother and son running for their lives after a violent attack. They leave everything behind and face danger at every step on their way to the U.S. border. The book is fast, emotional, and full of tough moments.

I picked it up because so many people were talking about it. Some said it was amazing, and others said it got things wrong. I wanted to see for myself.

This review is my honest take on the book. I’ll discuss the story, what I liked, what didn’t sit right with me, and how it made me feel. If you’re thinking about reading American Dirt, this might help you decide if it’s the right book for you.

About the Book

American Dirt is a fiction novel published in 2020. It follows Lydia, a Mexican bookstore owner, and her 8-year-old son, Luca. After a drug cartel murders their family, they must flee their home in Acapulco and head toward the U.S. border.

The story takes us through their dangerous journey north, where they ride freight trains, face threats from strangers, and rely on the help of others who are also running. Along the way, Lydia tries to keep Luca safe and figure out who she can trust, while also struggling with grief and fear.

The book aims to show what many migrants go through as they leave behind everything to seek safety. It’s a story of loss, danger, love, and hope—but it also raises questions about who gets to tell these stories and how they are told.

Plot Summary

• Lydia Quixano Pérez: A loving mother and bookstore owner who becomes a target of the cartel after her husband’s writing puts them at risk.

• Luca Pérez: Lydia’s 8-year-old son, smart and brave beyond his years, journeys with her through every challenge.

• Javier: The head of the cartel and a former friend of Lydia, whose actions spark the story’s tragic events.

• Soledad and Rebeca: Two sisters also escaping danger, who join Lydia and Luca on their journey.

The book opens with a sudden attack on Lydia’s family during a family gathering. Only she and Luca survive. Lydia quickly realizes the cartel is behind it—and that they are still in danger.

They leave their home in Acapulco, hiding and running across Mexico, hoping to make it to the United States. They face robbery, hunger, threats, and physical danger as they cross borders, sleep in hiding places, and ride on top of trains.

Throughout the journey, Lydia remembers her life before and wonders how well she really knew Javier, the cartel leader who once called her a friend. The closer they get to the border, the more Lydia must face her past—and decide what the future holds for her and her son.

My Review

Jeanine Cummins writes with a fast-paced and emotional tone. The story moves quickly, with short, intense scenes that keep you turning the pages. The writing is simple and clear, making the book easy to follow even with its heavy subject matter.

There are moments where the writing feels very emotional and powerful, especially during scenes between Lydia and Luca. However, some parts feel too dramatic or forced, which pulled me out of the story at times.

Themes & Emotional Impact

• Survival and Motherhood: At its core, this book is about a mother’s love and the lengths she will go to protect her child. Lydia’s fear, courage, and sacrifice are central to every chapter.
• Immigration and Danger: The story shows how hard and dangerous it is for people trying to escape violence and find a safer life. It doesn’t shy away from tough moments like violence, fear, and the cruelty people face on the journey north.
• Loss and Grief: Lydia loses her whole family in one moment, and that grief follows her throughout the book. The emotional weight of that moment never really goes away.
• Trust and Betrayal: Lydia struggles to know who she can trust. Even people who seem kind can be dangerous. This keeps the tension high and makes you feel the stress she is under.

What I Liked

• Strong emotional moments between Lydia and Luca
• Tense, action-filled chapters that keep the story moving
• Shines a light on the real dangers migrants face
• A story of hope, love, and survival in the darkest times

What Didn’t Work for Me

• Some parts felt too dramatic or unrealistic
• The author’s background and the way the story was told have raised important cultural questions.
• A few side characters felt underdeveloped.
• The story sometimes overexplains emotions rather than showing them naturally.

EXPLICIT SPOILER WARNING

• The brutal cartel attack was shocking, and knowing that Lydia and Luca were the only survivors left me in awe of their strength.
• Their journey to the U.S. was filled with constant danger and near-death situations, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the book.
• When Lydia discovers that Javier, the man who killed her family, was someone she once trusted, it hit me hard. The betrayal is heartbreaking and adds a powerful emotional twist to the story.
• The bond between Lydia, Luca, Soledad, and Rebeca was truly moving. Their shared trauma and support for each other made them an incredibly strong, inspiring group.
• In the end, Lydia confronts her past, and as they cross into the U.S., the relief is mixed with a sense of deep emotional scars. The ending felt like both a beginning and an end.

Ratings and Reader Opinions

“Lydia is aware, as she lies there in the darkness, that her life is divided into two parts: before and after.” — Jeanine Cummins, American Dirt

Goodreads Rating & Reviews

Goodreads Rating: 4.0/5
Total Ratings: 400,000+ reviews

What Readers Are Saying:

• “Powerful and heartbreaking. I couldn’t stop reading.” – 5 stars

• “Fast-paced, emotional, but I had mixed feelings about the author’s voice.” – 3.5 stars

• “Tense and gripping, though some parts felt overdone.” – 4 stars

Amazon Reviews

Amazon Rating: 4.3/5

• “A moving story of a mother’s strength. I cried more than once.” – 5 stars

• “Good storytelling, but I question the author’s view of Mexico.” – 4 stars

• “Well-written and emotional, but I see why some find it controversial.” – 4 stars

What Other Authors Have to Say About American Dirt

Many well-known authors have praised American Dirt for its emotional depth, gripping story, and intense pace. The novel sparked strong reactions for the way it handles sensitive topics, but several bestselling authors shared their admiration for its storytelling.

• Don Winslow, author of The Border, said:
  “A great novel. It’s a page-turner, a book with a beating heart and a story that needs to be told.”
• Stephen King, author of The Shining and 11/22/63, said:
  “An extraordinary piece of work. I defy anyone to read the first seven pages and not finish the book.”
• John Grisham, author of The Firm, wrote:
  “It’s a beautifully written story about a mother’s love and courage. I couldn’t put it down.”

The book has resonated with many readers and writers because it explores deep emotions like fear, love, and loss while also raising important questions about survival and hope.

Is Reading American Dirt Worth It?

“There’s no such thing as safe anymore.” — Jeanine Cummins, American Dirt

Reading American Dirt is a hard and emotional experience, but it’s also one that shines a light on stories many people never hear. It’s fast, intense, and filled with love and pain. It keeps you turning the pages and makes you think about the human side of migration.

Still, it’s important to know that this book has faced serious criticism. Some believe it oversimplifies a complex issue and doesn’t respectfully represent real experiences. Others feel it opens important conversations that need to be had.

If you want a book that moves quickly, has emotional weight, and tells a story of survival and love, you may find it worth reading. If you care deeply about authentic voices and representation, you might want to look into the discussion around the book first.

If you like these genre and story arcs, you will definitely enjoy American Dirt:

• Emotional fiction about survival and family bonds

• Stories of migration and crossing borders

• Character-driven books with mothers protecting their children

• Realistic fiction with high emotional stakes and danger

Similar Books If You Enjoyed American Dirt

• The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez

• Where We Come From by Oscar Cásares

• Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

• We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez

• Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario (nonfiction)