Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario

    This week I read the novel Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario. This book was interesting and even more different from what we have read in the past. I thought it was interesting because of everything that has been going on with immigrants in America. I have never read a book that was based on a journalist following the main character around and writing about their story. Though Enrique seemed like a very complex character because of all the hardships that he suffered in his life. The main theme in this novel seemed to be family. I felt it was this because the whole plot of the story was about how Enrique’s mother had gone to America for the benefit f her children and that Enrique felt that he needed to reunite with his mother to become whole once again. Though at the same time in the novel he was creating his own family with his girlfriend who ended up getting pregnant before he left on his journey to find his mother. I felt that the character that developed the most was the main character Enrique. This is because he started out as a kid missing his mom and getting into drugs. Then grew up on his journey to find his mother and got his act together to help get money for his child that his girlfriend was caring for in Honduras. 

     I felt that it included most things that should be brought up in this type of novel. This novel has opened my eyes to what is actually happening with all these immigrants that are coming into the United States secretly. I never truly understood how they got into America and what they had to go through to get here. I also did not know most of the reasoning behind why all of them want to come to America. Though it makes sense since most countries think that everyone in America has it better. One thing that I felt was a stereotype in this novel was the fact that without his mother in his life he rebelled, got into drugs, and got his girlfriend pregnant. This seems like the stereotype of many people in South America ins stories you hear. I get that it is based off a true story and these stories are true, but I just feel that these are stereotypes that you will hear many times in stories similar to this. Though if it is true I guess it belongs in the story. 

     I feel that this text appeals to adolescents because some children reading his can probably relate to the struggles that Enrique goes through when his mom leaves just so she can support her children. A lot of children have single mothers who have to work all day to support their children. They may not be in a different country, but are still rarely seen by their children. I feel that it would also appeal to adolescents because it will help them more understand some of the issues that we are facing in out country and have a better position on it. 

Rating: D