American Dirt

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• American Dirt has been alternately praised for its engaging plot and treatment of underrepresented characters and labeled as stereotypical and opportunistic. What was your initial impression of the book, upon first reading it? Do you agree with either of these positions, or do you take another stance altogether?
• Both Lydia’s and Javier’s actions throughout the story stem from a place of deep parental love. While Javier is clearly the antagonist, were there any instances in the novel that evoked your sympathy for the character?
• The language in American Dirt is vividly detailed and immersive in its descriptions. What are some sections of the narrative that spoke to you? Simultaneously, what are some sections that felt uncomfortable or disturbing?  

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• How do you understand the term “cultural appropriation”? Do you think people should be allowed to tell stories that are not their own, personally or culturally? How does one draw the line between imaginative freedom and poetic license on the one hand and cultural appropriation on the other? What aspects of the story do you believe would have been represented differently if the novel had been penned by someone with stronger ties to the Mexican migrant experience? 
• Reflect on a time in your life when an act of kindness made a substantial difference to how events unfolded. How did this act change the trajectory of your life?
• Sebastián is portrayed as an honorable man, a devoted father, and a journalist with unshakeable integrity; however, his refusal to budge on his principles ultimately spells his own death and endangers the lives of his wife and son. At what point does idealism turn selfish or sanctimonious, in your opinion? How does one draw the line between the greater good and self-preservation and/or protection of loved ones?
• Lydia feels a deep sense of guilt over how her association with Sebastián led to so many of her family members’ deaths and put her child in danger as well. Is Lydia justified in feeling this way? Have you ever felt guilty about something you did not have direct control over? Where do you think those feelings come from?
• The novel extensively features disturbing situations like murder and sexual violence. What is your take on the effectiveness and sensitivity with which Cummins has employed these themes in her storytelling? 

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• With members of Los Jardineros in hot pursuit, Lydia and Luca are forced to run for their lives, entering the United States without authorization in the process. Comment on Cummins’s choice to center these circumstances in her novel. How does it impact the reader’s perspective on the migrant experience? What responses to the migrant crisis does the novel propose, implicitly or explicitly?
• Fear and corruption go hand-in-hand in allowing the drug cartels to function with impunity in Mexico. Discuss the geographical and sociopolitical factors that feed into the high rates of organized crime in this country.

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• Consider Neli and Julia’s contention that women’s bodies are “ATM machines” (128). How does the novel depict the intersection of misogyny, racism, and capitalism in the context of the migrant crisis? 
• Discuss how Cummins balances the idea of hope and danger throughout the book, particularly using the symbolism of La Bestia.
• Javier is a character of many contradictions: He is thoughtful, erudite, and charming, displaying flashes of vulnerability but also a marked capacity for violence and cruelty. He also openly admits to infidelity to his wife. How does Cummins explain and reconcile these differing sides of Javier’s character? Does Cummins rely on any specific tropes in bringing Javier to life?
• What is the novel’s stance on parental love and the extent to which it justifies or excuses violence? Compare the love and protectiveness both Javier and Lydia feel toward their respective offspring; where do they mirror each other, and how do they differ?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Envision a sequel to the story. How do you see Lydia and Luca’s lives playing out in the United States in the wake of everything they have endured? What challenges do you anticipate them facing in adapting to their new lives? 
• Create a playlist that captures the intense pacing and suspense of the book. What genres of music would you draw from? Which pieces would you use as the backdrop in seminal scenes of the novel?

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