American Dirt

Book Details & Major Themes

Published in 2020, American Dirt is a work of fiction by Jeanine Cummins, whose other works include A Rip in Heaven, The Crooked Branch, and The Outside Boy. The controversial, cross-genre novel combines elements of a commercial thriller, literary fiction, suspense, and romance. The title refers to the land comprising the geopolitical entity that is the United States of America, and to the contempt undocumented migrants face both before and after crossing the US-Mexico border. While many critics initially praised the book for its propulsive plot and poignant treatment of an underrepresented group, others objected to its portrayal of Mexicans, characterizing the novel as stereotypical and opportunistic, while also accusing Cummins of cultural appropriation. Its publication sparked a vitriolic debate—in the press and online—on who can tell which stories, prompting the publisher to cancel Cummins’s book tour.

The book is written in alternating third-person viewpoints. Its moral voice unequivocally lands on the side of migrants, while its simple language creates a sense of immediacy and conveys the terror of the migrant experience. Recurring themes include the power of parental love, the kindness of strangers, and the persistent sexual violence faced by women and girls.