Wow. This book is so beautifully written. Each sentence is a gem. But it is also so complex with multiple stories being told on many levels. On the most simple level it is the story of a family road trip. The parents are sound documentarians (think radio documentaries) and are traveling from New York to Arizona for the dad's project. The author captures very typical family life and shows a marriage that is breaking. There are sentences that struck me that talk about graciousness and love in a marriage at the same time there is negativity, bitterness and hate. On the next level the book is about the refugee crisis especially as it affects children. So sad and alarming. The book is written almost like a documentary itself with both stories weaving together throughout and snippets of novels, poems, photos, etc. Some reviewers found this dry and the narrative style boring. I liked it and found it interesting. It is not an action packed novel. Instead it is one of reflection and information. This was on Pres. Obama's best books of 2019 list and I can see why. I really liked it, the story of the family, the information about the refugees, the beautiful writing, the desire by everyone for love and family.

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