engaging story about the rich and the poor ( )

This book was a lot more rape-y than I expected. Not sure exactly how much rape I had expected, but the amount in the book was definitely more.

Also, I didn't like the character Candido at all. At first he had my sympathies, and we were building a relationship with that, but then he turned out to be a huge asshole. The terrible way he treats his wife, his bullshit machismo at the cost of not only his own health but that of his wife and unborn baby, his complete stupidity when dealing with other people (Mexican and American) - all of this destroyed the sympathetic relationship I had with the character. I just ended up hating him.

We listened to this book on the drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back, and it did pass the time. However, I will not be listening to the final hours of this book now that we are done with driving. I don't especially like the characters and I don't especially care what happens to them. ( )

In Southern California, lives of two very different families are chronicled. Delany and Kyra Mossbacher are middle class parents of 6-year old Jordan. Delaney is a nature writer and Kyra is a real estate agent. Both are aware of the increasingly negative effect that Mexicans are having on their environment. Candido and America Rincon, man and wife, are two illegal Mexican immigrants who find it increasingly difficult to maintain a subsistence level of existence. The lives of the these two families intersect during various portions of the book.

The characters were very stereotypical. I found it hard to like any of them because they were so one dimensional and disagreeable. The end of the book was as unbelievable as the characters were unlikable. ( )

Very enjoyable read and creative. I can't say it's my all time favorite story since it bears resemblance to many others I've read. Regardless Boyle is an outstanding author. ( )

A difficult read for a Southern California liberal. ( )