Official Review: Undocumented by Enrique Herrera

[RachelEmmanuel]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Undocumented" by Enrique Herrera.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 10.7 million undocumented immigrants reside in the US. A large majority of these immigrants come from Mexico (55 percent as of 2015). They come in search of opportunity and better lives for themselves or for their families. Regardless of where you stand on the politics of this issue, it remains an unavoidable fact that undocumented immigrants continue to enter the US, sometimes risking their lives to do so.

In his book, Undocumented, Enrique Herrera tells the story of two men and one couple who enter the United States from different entry points. The book documents the protagonists' reasons for making the difficult decision to immigrate and the difficulties they face along the way. It also describes how it is possible to enter the country if you are aware of the accessible routes.

The book starts with the narrator mysteriously finding a diamond ring in his car. The ring somehow seems to inspire him to write the stories of fictional characters, making them come alive in his head and visit him in his dreams. My favorite character was Juanito, who, with the help of a beloved teacher, risked life and limb to provide a better life for his family.

Illegal immigration is an issue that is debated regularly by politicians and media and there is much to be said on either side of the argument. Undocumented does not enter into the debate. It does not justify the illegal entries of the protagonists, nor does it condemn them for their actions. It just describes their lives, their loves, their reasons, and their motives without passing judgment one way or the other. Although I found the story interesting, I confess, the point of the ring eluded me. Perhaps the author was making some obscure connection between his search for the owner of the ring and the fictional characters' search for a better life. If that was the case, I don't think he was able to convey his point clearly enough.

Overall, Undocumented is an enjoyable story giving people a glimpse into the lives of the millions of undocumented residents living in the shadows in the US. The characters are well-formed, and the descriptions of the various ways they enter the US are extremely detailed. I did feel like the ring was an unnecessary addition, but it was not enough to detract from the positives of the book. Undocumented is well-written and well-edited; I could not find any unintentional typos in it. It does not contain any profanity or sex and is suitable for readers of all ages. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.

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Undocumented
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[LinaJan]

What an interesting perspective of which we never really get to hear about in the 'debate.' Thank you for such an informative and inviting review!