American Dirt is a novel by American author Jeanine Cummins. It was published in 2020 by Flatiron Books. The novel is about Lydia and her son Luca, who illegally sneak into the US after their entire family is massacred. They barely make it out alive, and after making it through the border, they have to come face to face with their new reality as immigrants in America.
The novel was praised for its bold concept and was hailed by many critics as a notable American novel. However, the author, a Caucasian woman, was accused of cultural appropriation, and she even wrote in the introduction of the book, that she felt at odds with writing this overtly sensitive and controversial story. The publishing industry was heavily criticized for hyping and championing this book before it was released to the masses. Many people concluded that this story was not hers to tell and that Hispanic authors should have been the only ones allowed to write such stories.
The violence and trauma described in this novel are also one of the reasons why many people felt that Cummins fetishized the pain of immigrants to capitalize off it. Cummins explained that her intentions were pure and that her sole goal was to show American readers that migrants are people too and should be respected as such.
American Dirt is slated for a film adaptation by filmmaker Charles Leavitt, produced by Imperative Entertainment. In the same year of its release, it was longlisted for the French Prix Medicis.
Despite the criticism and controversy, the novel has still managed to draw attention to the plight of immigrants and the dangerous journeys they take to escape their home countries. It shines a light on their struggles and the issues they face in their new countries, such as racism and xenophobia. The novel also highlights the poverty, violence, and corruption that still exists in Latin America, and how it affects those who try to flee. It serves as a wake-up call to the world about the reality of migration and the need for change. American Dirt has been a source of inspiration for many immigrants, as it gives people hope and a sense of solidarity. It reminds us that we are all connected and that we all deserve a chance at a better life.
