The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henríquez

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The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henríquez



Alma and Arturo moved to Delaware for their daughter. They had a life in Mexico. Their family is in Mexico. But after Maribel's accident they wanted to give her the best opportunities imaginable, so they immigrated to America. Arturo got a job in Pennsylvania with a company that would sponsor their visas. Times were tough but they had faith in the future. They had a home. And they had neighbors that would become family.
Damn. This book is incredible. From the first two chapters I knew I would enjoy Henríquez's writing style. She already had me hooked. But as the story continued, I genuinely could not stop reading! The story is told through the eyes of Alma who immigrated to the US for her daughter Maribel, and Mayor, a teenager who lives in their apartment building and is slowly falling in love with Maribel. Their narratives are incredible and heart wrenching. The way each of them sees their family, situation, the US and Maribel is so well told and emotional. I was hooked. But along the way the reader meets the other people that live in the building. Each of them has a unique story and each of them bring light to the way Americans view what is considered "other." Henríquez's use of so many individual characters cast a wide net that envelop the truth of so many.
I definitely recommend this book. I'm still reeling emotionally from the experience. These characters were full of so much depth and life. Their experiences were so unique and yet so universal. Henríquez is an incredible writer. The way she was able to weave these stories together and make both of these main narratives so powerful is a credit to her incredible story building. Very well done. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

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