seattle reader says

I read this book years ago & I can still 'see it'. That's saying a lot I think. I would recommend this book; it's even more timely now, years later.

posted 2 weeks ago

(This is a response to a previous comment)

(seattle reader’s previously rated this books 5 stars)

nate j says

not often do I read fiction. Admittedly, an assigned read, but well worth it. Boyle brings it home without care for subtlety.

posted Friday, February 8 2008

cathy b says

In my experience, teaching ESL as a volunteer is a great way to start to really learn about the illegal immigrant experience.

posted Saturday, December 8 2007

(This is a response to a previous comment)

(cathy b’s previously rated this books 5 stars)

cathy b says

I don't know if I'm going to finish this book. I personally know illegal immigrants and think that interacting with them informs me far more than any book will. And if the purpose of the book is to educate, as it seems to be, I think it's preaching to the choir.

TCB was famous at the small college I went to ... I think I just missed him ... so I've always wanted to read something of his.

posted Saturday, December 8 2007

margaret w says

You write a great review of an excellent book. Being a Californian I found this very close to home!

posted Thursday, November 15 2007

(This is a response to a previous comment)

(margaret w’s previously rated this books 4 stars)

cathleen a says

well done.

posted Tuesday, October 23 2007

januari says

The Us vs Them Syndrome

I posted this question in the Diversity Works group, but I wanted to open up the discussion to others who have read the book:


I finished this book by T.C. Boyle last night, and I was floored. It's amazing to me how he captured the feelings, frustrations, and obstacles that both the Mexican immigrant and upper class populations face when sharing the same living spaces, in this case, Los Angeles. I almost don't know where to start, but I'm going to address a few points that especially stuck out to me:

1. People have more sympathy for a dog eaten by a coyote, or a dog locked in a car than an immigrant who gets hit by a car. Yes, it can be argued that a dog can't really fend for himself and is completely innocent, but is it still right that a dog can trudge up more emotion than a person?

2. The members of the gated community were concerned that the immigrants who were living in the brush and canyons were causing irreperable damage to the ecosystem and environment with their makeshift campsights. But no thought was given to the mega housing complexes, gates and walls that were being built, not to mention the cars each individual was driving.

3. They took away the day labor site, but not before they used this labor to pass out flyers and build the walls and gates meant to keep the immigrants and other minorities out.

I could go on and on, this book was great. Feel free to comment, or add anything else from the book that stuck out to you.

posted Monday, May 14 2007

(read januari’s review)