Customer Reviews

Antonio's Gun And Delfino's Dream: True Tales of Mexican Migration

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 2002 Ruben Martinez published "Crossing Over: A Mexican Family on the Migrant Trail". The book did a wonderful job of telling the story about an extended family separated by the U.S.-Mexico border. Sam Quinones' book "Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream" is an equally compelling and well written, researched book. The three part story of Delfino Juarez is without comparison. Plus, the chapter on migrants from Atolinga, Zacatecas to Chicago who entered the non-Franchise fast food industry is GREAT. My only concern about the book is that Quinones sets out to tell tales about the things Mexican migrants (to the U.S.) want. Ok, generally speaking he succeeded. I was bothered by the fact that Sam seems to lose focus on migrants to the U.S. For example the book has chapters that address such topics as the rise of Opera in Tijuana, Velvet painting in Juarez, and drug smuggling into U.S. and Canada. While the chapters are facinating and well written, I felt these topics did not tie into Quinones' stated objective. Aside from this concern, Sam Quinones obviously poured his heart into the project. Kudos to him. A very good read!

Sam Quinones is the best journalist about Mexican immigration, and this collection shows it. But even if you don't care about Mexicans, the writing here is brilliant--all the essays. Great book!

A collection of short stories of the Mexican diaspora, saddening, uplifting and inspirational by turns that challenge the stereotype of the illegal immigrant on US media outlets. Hopefully readers will be able to bring rationality and even humanity to the immigration debate after reading these insightful stories.

Sam's stories are so alive, he writes about real folks living out the dream in their own ways. I love all the chapters but there is no finer or more interesting chapter than chap. 4, Doyle and Chuy Wrap Juarez in Velvet. To me the velvet painters are heroes, their story should be told and Sam does it. The cover is done in black velvet. I love the chapter about SouthGate too. Colorful stories all.Should be required reading.

Border fences do not squash the kind of raging desire for a better life that the characters in Quinones book seek and find. If you are inspired by stories of simple people who accomplish amazing things against all odds, you will love this book. This is not a book about politics, it is a book about people and it just might add dimension and perspective to your opinion on border issues.

I really love Sam Quinones' books on Mexico and his stories. It is hard for me to move away from superlatives: each story is a true gem. I feel that the cover, which is a painting, takes so many stories from Mexican life, whether lived in Mexico or here in the U.S., and turns them into the Mexican versions of Norman Rockwell paintings, transformed into words. The story of Delfino, from peasant to breakdancer to builder, is worthy of its own feature film and would transform the immigrant story to that of pioneer. It's an American success story for Mexico, the kind of story that Americans would enjoy seeing and identifying with his courage.

I could not put the book down once I started reading it,this book is for anyone who enjoys real life drama, passion,courage,lawlessness,hard work and the simple desire to eat and improve ones life. True tales not only tells the story but takes you deep into the mind of the characters and provides answers to WHY they do it, why they risk everything, what they hope to achieve and what they actually end up achieving.

5 stars.

Great book. Well written. I simply could not put it down. You need to read both his books!

A well written, informitive look at Mexican Migration. Mr. Quinones knows the implications, economic, political and social, of migration on both sides of the border. He also knows his subjects and follows them on each side of the border and back and forth.