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The Distance Between Us

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'The Distance Between Us' by Reyna Grande is a poignant memoir that delves into the author's experience as a young immigrant from Mexico to the United States. Through the eyes of a child, the reader is taken on a journey of heartbreak, resilience, and hope as Reyna navigates the challenges of being left behind by her parents in Mexico while they seek a better life in the US. The author's writing style is raw and emotional, providing a personal narrative that sheds light on the struggles faced by immigrants and the complexities of trying to assimilate and achieve the American dream.

The story follows the Grande children as they cope with the hardships of growing up without their parents in Mexico and later their journey across the border into the US. Through the author's musings, readers are given an intimate look at the immigrant experience, both in Mexico and in the US, as the family strives to overcome obstacles and make their dreams a reality.

Writing/Prose:

The writing features a straightforward, poignant style, emphasizing emotional depth while maintaining clarity and accessibility.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative details the emotional and physical journey of a family affected by migration, illustrating the struggles they face both in their home country and upon arrival in the United States.

Setting:

The setting shifts from rural Mexico to urban Los Angeles, highlighting the stark differences in living conditions and opportunities available to the family.

Pacing:

The pacing is steady, incorporating reflective elements that delve into the emotional nuances of growing up in a challenging environment.

Notes:

The Distance Between Us is a memoir by Reyna Grande about her childhood in Mexico and her immigration to the US.
Reyna's parents left her and her siblings in Mexico to seek a better life in the US, which profoundly impacted their family.
The book illustrates the pain of parental separation and the challenges of immigrant life in America.
Reyna is the first in her family to graduate from college, showcasing her resilience and determination.
The narrative highlights the stark contrasts between life in Mexico and the US, including emotional and familial struggles.
Readers are moved by Reyna's honest depictions of her family's dysfunction and her personal struggles during her childhood.
The book emphasizes themes of hope, survival, and the quest for identity amidst the immigrant experience.
Reyna's writing is praised for its clarity and emotional depth, making the immigrant experience relatable to many.
The Distance Between Us sheds light on the broader issues of immigration and the effects on families separated by borders.
Many readers find the book enlightening, providing a personal perspective on a contentious political issue.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of immigration trauma, family dysfunction, childhood separation, poverty, and alcohol abuse.

From The Publisher:

In this inspirational and unflinchingly honest memoir, acclaimed author Reyna Grande describes her childhood torn between the United States and Mexico, and shines a light on the experiences, fears, and hopes of those who choose to make the harrowing journey across the border.

Reyna Grande vividly brings to life her tumultuous early years in this "compelling...unvarnished, resonant" (BookPage) story of a childhood spent torn between two parents and two countries. As her parents make the dangerous trek across the Mexican border to "El Otro Lado" (The Other Side) in pursuit of the American dream, Reyna and her siblings are forced into the already overburdened household of their stern grandmother. When their mother at last returns, Reyna prepares for her own journey to "El Otro Lado" to live with the man who has haunted her imagination for years, her long-absent father.

Funny, heartbreaking, and lyrical, The Distance Between Us poignantly captures the confusion and contradictions of childhood, reminding us that the joys and sorrows we experience are imprinted on the heart forever, calling out to us of those places we first called home.

Also available in Spanish as La distancia entre nosotros.

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Incredible
3 days

Such a beautiful story and gave me all the feels. Very prevalent to current issues.

 
 
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