Review and Giveaway: Into the Beautiful North
Nayeli and her friends Yolo and Vampi seem to be the only young people left in their small village, Tres Camarones, Mexico. All of the men have gone north (to the United States) to earn a living, so there’s no one left to protect the village from bandidos. While Nayeli and her friends are out crabbing one day, she realizes there are no babies in the village either. While watching The Magnificent Seven, Nayeli becomes inspired to head north to recruit seven men to return to Tres Camarones to defend the village.
Nayeli heads out with Yolo, Vampi and Tacho, the owner of a local cafe. They leave with the well wishes and money of most of the villagers. (Nayeli also has a personal mission she wants to fulfill – she wants to find her father who is in Kankakee, Illinois.) They face some difficulties crossing the border and seek out Matt, a young American who had visited their village as a missionary a few years before. Matt is willing to help them and when word gets out that they’re seeking men to return to their village, the response is overwhelming.
I loved Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea and am afraid my review won’t do it justice. It’s a story of strength and determination and the love of a culture and village. It’s the story of immigrants, but not in the traditional sense of the word. I loved the character of Nayeli – she was strong physically and mentally and a true leader. I was appalled to read about the way some people have to live just across the border in Mexico. I loved reading about the United States from the eyes of someone from another culture. When Nayeli and her friends descend on Matt, he’s ready to apologize because his mother’s apartment is not very nice, but he comes to realize they think it’s luxurious. I cringed at the way some of the Americans treated the group from Tres Camarones and was proud of the way others responded. This book is beautifully written and will certainly make you reflect on your views of immigration.
I have an extra, unread galley of Into the Beautiful North to give to one lucky reader. To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post. Contest is open worldwide. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EST, Sunday, June 28, 2009. Winner will be announced on Monday, June 29, 2009.
I have heard so much good about this book. I have to read it now. I would love to win it.
lillyswistek@gmail.com
Ps.
I’m glad you finally got the book from my giveaway, I hope you’ll enjoy it.
I have read some great reviews on this book. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
I wasn’t grabbed by the description of the book and now I regret it. Everyone loves it so much, and I wish I’d gotten a copy too! So count me in!
I’d love to read this.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
The story sounds very interested please add me to the giveaway.
Sounds really interesting. I want to win that book! 🙂
besserlesen@gmail.com
I would love to win this. 🙂
This does sound a lovely book. Can I please be entered.
vivienne_dacostaathotmail.com
This book and its author seems to be making waves all over the place. I’m glad that you enjoyed it. I want to read it now.
This is one I’ve been wanting to read.
You know I agreed with you about this book! I definitely enjoyed it, and the writing was spectacular! I think your review was great!
This sounds like an intriguing book that I definitely want to read. Add my name to the drawing please!
You don’t have to enter me because supposedly it is coming to me also. We only live a short way from the border and I have been across once. I wanted to leave after maybe two minutes! It was very depressing. I am so looking forward to reading this book!
Sounds like an interesting book. Please enter me. Thanks!
This sounds like a book that I would enjoy….please enter me!
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
After reading your review, I can’t imagine anyone NOT wanting to read the book. I especially love books that make me see my life from a different viewpoint.
I’ve heard that this book is good! Thank you for the chance to win it!
mittens0831 AT aol.com
Please enter me. I would love to read this book. Thanks!
I loved this book! Great review!!
Great review! I’ve got this on my wish list, so sign me up 🙂
Thank you for the chance to enter! I love a good read.
This sounds really interesting, I’d love to be entered! Thank you!
luckistarr4 AT gmail DOT com
I love the cover of this one. I’d love to be entered. Thanks!
no need to enter me since I have that lovely audio from BEA. But your review makes me want to push this to the top of the to-read pile. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
He was wonderful in person.
I’m so glad you liked it. Don’t enter me though. I have a copy and now I really look forward to reading it.
Looks like a lovely read, enter me pretty please!
me toooo. Please enter me Kathy…
Great review Kathy. I’d love to read this one so please enter me.
bj19662001 (at) yahoo (dot) ca
Hehehe… June 29th is my birthday, that’d be funny to win on my birthday.
Living where I do, I know and am friends with a lot of hispanic people who’ve come north to find a better life and/or to make money to help their families back home live a better life. To sit down and just talk with them often leaves a person with a new found respect and admiration. Like you said, it is heartbreaking to think about how some people have to live, and if forces you to redefine “poverty.”
No need to enter me (although I’d love to read this). I’m dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I’ve got this posted at Win a Book for you.
I would love to have a chance to read a book that you are so excited about. I also appreciate any book that does a great job of enlightening readers to social injustice/inequalities. Thanks for the chance.:D
Great review! No need to enter me. I already have the book and loved it, too.
(No need to enter me)
I really liked this book, too! I think you read my review. It is a rather difficult review to write.. I agree. It’s a wonderful story.
Sheri
I thought your review was very well-written and really touched on some things that we take for granted. It’s always eye-opening to see it from someone else’s perspective. I heard a lot of good buzz about this book and would love to read it whether I win it or not!!
I pretty much agreed with you although I found a few flaws. I’m surprised that we mention some of the same things in our reviews — those were definitely some of the great strengths of the novel.
I bought a copy of this at the book festival this spring and am looking forward to reading it. I am glad you enjoyed it so much, Kathy!
No need to enter me in the giveaway.
Hi
Into the Beautiful North sounds amazing! Please count me in.
This sounds like a beautiful read 🙂 Please count me in to win and thank you!
Sounds like a great book. Please enter me as I’d love to win. jessica(at)fan(dot)com
The reviews I have read about this book are so positive, I would really like to read it. Please count me in. Thank you.
I have seen quite a few great reviews on this book. Makes me want to read it more.
sharon54220@gmail.com
Looks like a good read, please enter me into this drawing.
Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com
I love the cover! Please enter me!
Cheers,
julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com
I’d like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com
This book sounds pretty great, count me in.
Sophisticated.dorkiness[at]gmail.com
And belated congrats on your blogoversary!
I have heard so much about this author. I just ordered a copy of “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” and would love to receive his latest. Thanks!
e-mail:freebs59@sbcglobal.net
I saw this book months ago and thought it sounded good. I love books that allow me to see through the eyes of another culture.
Please enter me. Sounds great!
This one sounds so good! Please enter me in the giveaway.
You convey your genuine love of the book, that’s all that counts. You have me sold. Please enter me in the drawing. I would love to win this one. The story must be fascinating. Besides I have a little second grade student with Nayeli as a first name. I love the name. 🙂
Wisteria
oh man! This sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
This is the first time I had heard of this book, but it sounds likes an endearing story.
rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com
Please enter me. I’ve been really wanting to read this one. Thanks!
tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com
I’d love to win a copy of Into the Beautiful North. I returned my copy to the library without having finished it 🙂
I have this on audio, and your review makes me want to listen to it right now. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. No need to enter me, of course.
–Anna
No need to enter me (of course) but I’m really glad you enjoyed this book so much!
Totally ashamed that this is (I think) my first comment on your blog, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to be in the running for this book. I’ve been watching all the chatter about it on Twitter and even ALMOST bought a copy the other day but the hardcover price dissuaded me. Thanks for reviewing it and sharing your galley bounty!
I almost bought this one the other day – would love to win a copy!!!! Count me into the contest *fingers crossed*
P.S. I loved your review of this one!
I’d love to read this. Thanks for the review and the giveaway!
Love to have a chance! Thanks for the giveaway!
Courtney
stilettostorytime@gmail.com
Oh, this one’s been on my wish list. Definitely add me!
bookfoolery at yahoo dot com
I love a chance to win this! It sounds like a great book.
Sounds like a wonderful read.
pjhess55@hotmail.com
Thankyou!
Sounds like a wonderful read.
pjhess55@hotmail.com
I’d love to win a copy!
Sounds terrific!
Please include me. Sounds interesting.
annarudow@gmail.com
Please include me in your giveaway
“Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
CoolCanucks.ca”
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
Would you please enter me? Thanks!
booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds very interesting. Great review!
Read the review on the book. Great work. thanks for giving us a chance to win it too 🙂 so please add me in and pick me. 🙂
I’d be delighted to win!
This ones sounds like the type of book I’d love. Thanks for these great giveaways!
I would love to read this — thanks for the review and chance to win!
I would love to win a copy of this book!
Looks like a great book! I’d like to drop my name in the virtual hat. Thanks.
Your review did it justice ….I am compelled more than ever to read. So Please enter me. Thank you.
I have heard a lot about this book and it has been on my TBR list for awhile. I’d just love to win a copy!
Thanks for the chance.
This sounds like a book I’d be very interested in. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Many bloggers have talked about this book. I’m really interested in this book. Please count me in. 😀
linna.hsu(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m absolutely dying to read this, I wish I’d requested a galley when I had the chance. I’d love to win it, but if I don’t I’ll be getting it from the library no matter what.
For me, the book was a page turner. It had an interesting plot and narrative and provided a lot of insight into Mexican culture. I was also able to see some of the writer’s craft at work in the choices Luis made to carry the story along. Because I enjoyed the novel, I hesitate to equivocate, but the tunnel and Matt’s mother’s house parts were not real believable.I found your comments to be quite judicious and I agreed with them. I heard him on NPR and plan to check out more of his work.
I would love to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity. 🙂
Into the Beautiful North has been on my radar for awhile. Would love the chance to win!
kherbrand at comcast dot net
Please sign me up! This sounds excellent!
Staciele(at)netins(dot)net
I’m really enjoying your reviews and finding all kinds of new books to read and discovering new authors. I just need to find more time to read!
I’d love to participate! Thanks! =)
Your review is wonderful – I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
Don’t enter me for this I won a copy already =) I just wanted to say I loved the review and I’m really looking forward to reading it!
This is one I have on my wish list. I’d definitely love to win it!
whitreidsmama at yahoo.com
Would love to win this one 🙂
Love to win this!
lelou2@ymail.com
I have heard such wonderful things about this book! Please enter me in your giveaway!
Thanks!
Suzanne
quzy (at) mac (dot) com
This one sounds really interesting. I like your comment about seeing the US through other eyes. Sometimes I do wonder how people really view us.
Please enter me in the drawing.
Would love to win Into the Beautiful North; I’ve been reading books lately about Mexican nationals coming to the U.S.
I would love to wind “Into The Beautiful North.” Thanks for entering me.
email teakettle58@yahoo.com
Into the Beautiful North sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the drawing.Thank you.The review for this book is good.
I would love to win what sounds like a wonderful novel.
This sounds like a fascinating book. Please enter me!
bluebyrd24 at gmail dot com
This book sounds too good to pass up!
Thank you for hosting this giveaway!
Amy
Aimala02@yahoo.com
Would love to win this book! Please enter me! Thank you!
Even though this is not about Michigan (LOL!), I would love a chance to win this galley. Thanks for the contest, Kathy!
Been eyeing this book every time I pass my local bookstore, it hurts. Would love to read this.
I love books about other cultures and the struggles that the people face. I would love to read this book!
This book sounds very interesting, please and
thank you for this giveaway.
I would love to enter.
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
your review is very precise and descriptive
Sounds like a thought provoking read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Hopefully I’ll get to read it 🙂