Outcasts United: my pick for One Maryland, One Book
We're nearing the end of the selection process for the 2010 One Maryland, One Book program, a statewide read designed to spark conversations about issues such as race, identity and community. This year, the selection committee whittled down a list of about a dozen contenders to four finalists: "Tortilla Curtain" by T.C. Boyle, "Outcasts United" by Warren St. John, "How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez, and "The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears" by Dinaw Mengestu.
It's a strong group, and any one of them could headline OMOB this fall. For a great read, I'd put "Tortilla Curtain" at the top of the list. Boyle's a fine writer, and I liked how he juxtaposed the lives of L.A. suburbanites with those of Mexicans who had crossed the border illegally. The suburbanites wail loudly about material goods, while the immigrants confront physical danger and fight for survival. At one point, he mirrors the reactions to a car theft and a sexual assault -- a powerful pairing.
The "Garcia Girls" was also well-written and very touching. It came at the immigration story from another side -- that of a wealthy family forced to leave the Dominican Republic because of political upheaval. Three sisters struggle with family life and American life in their own ways. Another enjoyable read.
"Beautiful Things" is the tale of an African immigrant who tries to carve out a life in Washington, D.C. I liked the story, which featured interwoven themes of African corruption and American class struggle, but I had a hard time connecting with the main character's melancholy mood.
In the end, I chose "Outcasts," the story of young Jordanian woman who moves to America, settles in the Atlanta area and starts several youth soccer teams for fellow immigrants. The writing is somewhat pedestrian, and I wished that there was more introspection about the woman's tough love approach to choaching kids. But the many conflicts are ripe for OMOB discussions: rich vs. poor, American vs. immigrant, African-American vs. African immigrant, immigrant vs. immigrant. And students will be able to identify with the young characters more readily.
As for the official selection, it should be announced soon.
Comments
I hope this one gets chosen - I've been wanting to read it for a while and this would be a great excuse.
(Also, and unrelated, I'd love to see a way to subscribe to the comments on specific posts - any chance that option could be added?)
Posted by: Heather J. | March 1, 2010 11:41 AM
Heather, we'll be moving to new blogging software soon, and I believe it will allow readers to subscribe to comments. That's one of the real shortcomings of our system.
Posted by: Dave | March 1, 2010 12:20 PM
I agree that there was not enough exploration of the coach's character. I look at this book as the history of the United States- a nation of immigrants. The Germans, Irish, and Eastern Europeans were treated with the same prejudices as they are now using on the refugees. Only difference -the skin tones are different, and there are more children suffering from witnessing unspeakable horrors.
Posted by: Glennor Shirley | March 2, 2010 1:37 PM