Ana Falcón, her husband Lucho, and their two children have fled the political turmoil of their native Peru for the chance at a better life in New York City. But despite Lucho’s education, the only job he can get is driving a cab on the night shift. Meanwhile Ana works as a seamstress in a factory. They are living with Lucho’s cousins, Valeria and Rueben, which adds stress to their family. Ana has resorted to borrowing money from a local loan shark, Mama, and she’s behind in repaying the loan. Should she give up and succumb to Lucho’s idea to return to Peru, or at least to send the children back?

My heart broke for Ana and her family. There is a lot going on and they can never catch a break. Yet Ana holds on to the hope of a better future. She is willing to work hard, to do whatever is necessary to keep her family together and in a relatively safe environment. She feels capable but is constantly reminded that she is from “the wrong side of the mountain,” being from an indigenous family, while the Falcóns were white Peruvians with college educations. She seems to really be carrying the future of her family on her shoulders, alone. But is that partly her own fault? She seems unable, and at least unwilling, to share her burden with her husband and his cousins.

I was glad to see that the family did enjoy some moments of joy and celebration. A nice dinner at Christmas, a New Year’s Eve party with friends. But those moments barely relieved the stress of their circumstances. And they needed to constantly watch out for who might betray them, or what would happen if ICE raided the factory where Ana (and many other undocumented women) worked.

The ending is jarring and unsettling and ambiguous. I desperately want to know what happens next! ( )

Ana is a complex, well-developed character. Through her experiences and thoughts, the reader can feel her emotions. The plight of the undocumented immigrant is something most of us can imagine enduring. Ana's story is one of hope, but with many struggles along the way. Most of the novel was compelling, however, I would have like to see the other family members' thoughts and motives explored more deeply. A perfect nominee for the Aspen Words Prize for "illuminating a vital contemporary issue" - immigration. ( )

A powerful book about the choices we make and a look into the hardships of being an undocumented immigrant in America. This book is depressing but well-written with great character development.

The Falcóns, Ana, Lucho, and their two children, flea Peru during a difficult time to New York City to start over. But being undocumented has proven to be harder than imagined. Struggling for money, the Falcóns borrow money from a loan shark and move into Lucho’s cousin’s home. After Lucho mentions either sending their children back to Peru or going back as a family, Ana feels the pressure of keeping her family together and is haunted by what she left behind.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )

They can from Peru, settled in New York City, hoping to get lost in the crowds. They are some of the invisible people we encounter often, those that work the grills in our restaurants, do our landscaping,cwork in our factories and warehouses, clean our houses. Do all the jobs we no longer want to do. They are the undocumented, those without legal status in our country. For Ana and her husband, two children, it is a place where one can start over, have an opportunity , escape the censor and danger in their home country.

Yet there is always the threats of deportation, of working so hard but for little money, of having to count every penny, of borrowing money, and then owing a harsh master. Where every little thing that goes wrong could spell disaster. Having to live with a family member and her family because you can not afford your own place. A family that doesn't want you there. Still, Ana is ever hopeful, if she could just work a few more hours, if her husband driving a cab could get a few additional pick ups. If, if, if.

Ana is strong, tough, determined to keep her family together, but there are truths here she doesnt see, until it might be too late. This book shows how perilous are the positions of those who come to our country, without papers, without green cards. How tenuous is their position, how careful they must be in the choices and the decisions they make. A very poignant story about a woman who is determined to succeed despite all the obstacles before her. A very humsn woman who only wants the same things we all do, a safe place to live, enough food, and a sense of security, a family. It also shows how easily these people are preyed on, how many willing to take advantage of those trying do hard but in need.

Quite a story, one that certainly made an impression on me, one not easily forgotten.

ARC from book browse. ( )