Location: Mexico/Arizona Type: Ebook
Timeline: Linear w/memories of the past Genre: Fiction
Narration: 3rd person following the perspectives of Lydia and Luca
Review:
Stars: 4
Heartbreaking. That is the word that comes to mind with this book. I read this for a book club and if it wasn't for that I may not have picked it up. I went through so many emotions while reading. I cannot remember the last book that caused my heart to hurt like this.
*spoilers*
To get to the end I had to ask someone who had finished it a few questions. I couldn't finish the book if Lydia and Luca did no have a happy ending. I had to know that the sisters made it okay. Knowing people endure these horrific events...my heart just hurts.
It is so beautifully written. If you can handle the events in the story it is such a worth while book.
Sex:
Attempted rape is described in some detail.
Language:
Fuck: 6
Ass: 1
Bitch: 0
Shit: 16
GD: 0
Cunt/Pussy: 0
Dick/Cock: 0 - penis is used a few times
L in V: 16
*Words in Spanish were not counted
Triggers:
Mass death/murder
Cartel activity/violence
Violence
Gore
Rape
Suicide
Miscarriage
Questions:
The book starts with a crazy mass murder of a family. Lydia (Mami) and Luca survive. Lydia said she was thankful that her family was murdered by a quick bullet instead of other ways the cartel chose to kill (slowly, painfully).
Have you ever found a tender mercy among a tragedy?
Lydia takes something from her husband's body: his wedding ring.
What is one item you would want of your deceased spouse?
Why is there significance in things?
"If there's one good thing about terror, Lydia now understands, it's that it's more immediate than grief."
Do you agree?
Why or why not?
When Lydia finds out she cannot take Luca on an airplane without a birth certificate she is left thinking of other options. She looks up stories of people who ride cargo trains and find how dangerous it is.
What would you choose? The devil you know (walking) or the devil you don't (the train)?
Once Lydia and Luca make it to the migrant house, Lydia is faced with the "price" of safety/freedom: Rape.
Is that too high a price?
Why or why not?
Soledad tells Lydia about why her and Rebeca are on the run to el Norte. Soledad says that Rebeca is not aware of what happened to Soledad to make her leave their Mami and Abuela.
Should Rebeca know?
What do you think motivates Rebeca if she doesn't know the horrors they left behind?
What are your opinions of Lorenzo?
Once you found out about Marta commiting suicide is the murder of Lydia's family more understandable?
Why or why not?
Do you understand Javier's anger toward Lydia?
Javier's note to Lydia said "I'm sorry for your pain and mine. Now we are bound forever in this grief."
Do you think their grief and pain are the same?
Compare and contrast their pain and grief.
In the warehouse, Luca wouldn't leave without the sisters. Lydia had to pay for the release of the girls. The cost was significantly higher than she had to pay for herself and Luca.
Why do you think Lydia didn't cost as much as Soledad and Rebeca?
Lydia discovers the importance of shoes on her journey.
What is an item you found more value in after a hardship or challenge?
Once the group makes it across the border it seems they continuously face rain for a while. Many chapters explain the horrors of traveling like this through the rain. Being wet made everything and everyone miserable.
Have you ever hiked in the rain? Or done a physical task in the rain?
If so, did the rain help you or hurt you?
Lydia uses Lorenzo's cell phone to call Javier.
Do you think this was necessary to bring her closure?
Do you think it added any extra danger?
Lydia shows a lot of hate towards Javier and Lorenzo.
Have you ever felt this level of hate before?
How did it work out?
Who does 'hate' hurt?
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