54 pages • 1 hour read
The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail
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Book Brief
384
Book • Nonfiction
Sonoran Desert • 2000s
2015
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Land of Open Graves by Jason De León critiques the US border enforcement policy known as Prevention Through Deterrence, which forces migrants into the Sonora Desert, using inhospitable terrain as a mechanism to deter undocumented immigration and obscure governmental responsibility for deaths. Through ethnography, De León highlights the harsh realities faced by migrants like Memo and Lucho, and the profound impacts on their families and communities. The book includes graphic descriptions of death and anti-Latinx racism.
Mysterious
Dark
Challenging
Unnerving
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
2,181 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jason De León's The Land of Open Graves powerfully blends ethnography and archaeology to expose the harrowing experiences of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Reviewers praise its vivid narrative and impactful use of firsthand accounts. Critics note occasional academic jargon that could challenge general readers. Compelling yet heart-wrenching, it is a crucial contribution to migration studies.
Who Should Read The Land of Open Graves?
Readers who are captivated by the intersection of ethnography, human rights, and social justice will find The Land of Open Graves by Jason De León compelling. Comparable to works like The Devil’s Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea and Tell Me How It Ends by Valeria Luiselli, this book is ideal for those drawn to deeply human and urgent narratives about migration.
2,181 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
384
Book • Nonfiction
Sonoran Desert • 2000s
2015
Adult
18+ years
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