Review of Land of Dust and Hope
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Review of Land of Dust and Hope
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Land of Dust and Hope" by Michael Downing.]
Angelica, a young florist in Antigua, Guatemala, is faced with great despair and violence from the local gang, Gang 18, demanding money for her flower shop. Due to her resistance against them, the gang brutally murdered her boyfriend Mateo and her lovely dog Paco, forcing her into a harrowing situation. But her situation gets worse when she realizes the police cannot be trusted, and she is left with finding a way out of the city that threatens her life; she decides to walk to America and get to Happy, a town in Texas where her grandfather Joaquin lives. What awaits Angelica on this dreadful and frightful journey she embarked on? Read Land of Dust and Hope by Michael Downing to know how Angelica’s journey to Happy unfolds.
Set in the town of Happy, the Town without a Frown. Land of Dust and Hope explores the themes of hope, resilience, survival, love, suicide, rape, violence, murder, tragedy, faith, and human cruelty. The book is split between the happenings in Happy, Texas, and Angelica’s harrowing story in Antigua. Both stories depict the relentless challenges faced by humans. Brother Bob, a Methodist pastor stationed in Happy, faces a crisis in his faith as he finds the traditional teaching of hell inadequate in comforting and guiding his congregation. While Angelica experiences firsthand how severe human cruelty can be. These contrasting yet interconnected stories show how hope and despair can coexist. The best scene in the book that illustrates this is Jen not wanting to trust Gil to go for therapy, but at the same time, she does not want to get her hopes high because he has disappointed her in the past.
What stands out in this fascinating book is the author’s poignant and deeply evocative writing style. The novel is rich with vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the world built by the author. The description of the town’s sign, Welcome to Happy, the Town without a Frown, is a bittersweet humor that pervades the novel. The character exploration is like nothing I have experienced in a book; all the characters are well explored and each given a closure that makes the reader satisfied. A character that stood out as a beacon of hope and genuineness is Charley; despite being blind, he embodies a great understanding of humans, and that is seen in the subtle, non-condemning advice he gave Gil. The storytelling is slow but deliberate, giving strength to the tone used in the book. I like the way in which Brother Bob's internal struggle and his affection for Jen are portrayed and addressed with refinement, and this makes him highly relatable. Another commendable aspect of the novel is the author’s ability to blend humor into the book even in moments that are somber, thus making the novel both engaging and emotional.
The only part of the book that some readers might not agree with is the violence being perpetrated by Gang 18 and the cartel coyotes, like murder and rape. Some readers might find it hard to read, but aside from that, the book’s pacing and plot development are well-structured and on track.
This book is excellently edited, with smooth and flawless transitions between narratives. The dialogue is natural and can be vividly imagined, especially the interaction between James and Jen. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars, as it did a great job on the character development and I found no errors in it. I recommend this book to readers who love books that offer a rich novel that is deeply reflective and strongly plot-driven. This book is a powerful reminder of humans’ enduring spirit, resilience, and the complexities of finding hope in the face of adversities and challenges.
******
Land of Dust and Hope
View: on Bookshelves
Angelica, a young florist in Antigua, Guatemala, is faced with great despair and violence from the local gang, Gang 18, demanding money for her flower shop. Due to her resistance against them, the gang brutally murdered her boyfriend Mateo and her lovely dog Paco, forcing her into a harrowing situation. But her situation gets worse when she realizes the police cannot be trusted, and she is left with finding a way out of the city that threatens her life; she decides to walk to America and get to Happy, a town in Texas where her grandfather Joaquin lives. What awaits Angelica on this dreadful and frightful journey she embarked on? Read Land of Dust and Hope by Michael Downing to know how Angelica’s journey to Happy unfolds.
Set in the town of Happy, the Town without a Frown. Land of Dust and Hope explores the themes of hope, resilience, survival, love, suicide, rape, violence, murder, tragedy, faith, and human cruelty. The book is split between the happenings in Happy, Texas, and Angelica’s harrowing story in Antigua. Both stories depict the relentless challenges faced by humans. Brother Bob, a Methodist pastor stationed in Happy, faces a crisis in his faith as he finds the traditional teaching of hell inadequate in comforting and guiding his congregation. While Angelica experiences firsthand how severe human cruelty can be. These contrasting yet interconnected stories show how hope and despair can coexist. The best scene in the book that illustrates this is Jen not wanting to trust Gil to go for therapy, but at the same time, she does not want to get her hopes high because he has disappointed her in the past.
What stands out in this fascinating book is the author’s poignant and deeply evocative writing style. The novel is rich with vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the world built by the author. The description of the town’s sign, Welcome to Happy, the Town without a Frown, is a bittersweet humor that pervades the novel. The character exploration is like nothing I have experienced in a book; all the characters are well explored and each given a closure that makes the reader satisfied. A character that stood out as a beacon of hope and genuineness is Charley; despite being blind, he embodies a great understanding of humans, and that is seen in the subtle, non-condemning advice he gave Gil. The storytelling is slow but deliberate, giving strength to the tone used in the book. I like the way in which Brother Bob's internal struggle and his affection for Jen are portrayed and addressed with refinement, and this makes him highly relatable. Another commendable aspect of the novel is the author’s ability to blend humor into the book even in moments that are somber, thus making the novel both engaging and emotional.
The only part of the book that some readers might not agree with is the violence being perpetrated by Gang 18 and the cartel coyotes, like murder and rape. Some readers might find it hard to read, but aside from that, the book’s pacing and plot development are well-structured and on track.
This book is excellently edited, with smooth and flawless transitions between narratives. The dialogue is natural and can be vividly imagined, especially the interaction between James and Jen. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars, as it did a great job on the character development and I found no errors in it. I recommend this book to readers who love books that offer a rich novel that is deeply reflective and strongly plot-driven. This book is a powerful reminder of humans’ enduring spirit, resilience, and the complexities of finding hope in the face of adversities and challenges.
******
Land of Dust and Hope
View: on Bookshelves
Latest Review: A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell
