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Illegal
A raw account of a young American abroad grasping for meaning, this pulsating story of violent protests, illegal border crossings and loss of innocence raises questions about the futility of borders and the irresistible power of nationalism.
Illegal tells the true story of love and deception, revolutions and deportations as it chronicles the trials of John Dennehy. Naïve New Yorker, Dennehy refuses to be part of the feverish nationalism of post 9/11 America. His search for hope takes him to Ecuador, where he falls in love with firebrand Lucia, who perfects his broken Spanish while they find solidarity in the brewing social upheaval. Amid the unrest, Dennehy is arrested and deported to the United States but he has found something worth fighting for.
Illegal tells the true story of love and deception, revolutions and deportations as it chronicles the trials of John Dennehy. Naïve New Yorker, Dennehy refuses to be part of the feverish nationalism of post 9/11 America. His search for hope takes him to Ecuador, where he falls in love with firebrand Lucia, who perfects his broken Spanish while they find solidarity in the brewing social upheaval. Amid the unrest, Dennehy is arrested and deported to the United States but he has found something worth fighting for.
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
154 people are currently reading
1931 people want to read
About the author
John Dennehy
1 book64 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Dennehy grew up in New York but left the country when George Bush was reelected. For six years he lived in the developing world before returning to New York where he works for the United Nations. He has an MA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of East Anglia (England) and is frequently published in places such as VICE, The Guardian, Narratively and The Diplomat. This is his first book.
John Dennehy grew up in New York but left the country when George Bush was reelected. For six years he lived in the developing world before returning to New York where he works for the United Nations. He has an MA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of East Anglia (England) and is frequently published in places such as VICE, The Guardian, Narratively and The Diplomat. This is his first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 17, 2018
When I first read the synopsis for this book, I mistakenly thought it fiction. I know, I can’t believe it either. In the end I actually chose to read non-fiction! And I am so glad that I did, because Dennehy has had a very interesting life, this one almost read like fiction, and I learned so so much. I have been trying to read more books set in or focusing on Latin America, and with this one being set across Ecuador, the US and some other Latin American countries he visits, this helped me on that journey.
If I am going to write this review, I would like to start by focusing on the themes which were developed and woven into the ‘story’ (if I can call it that) so well. He has some very interesting things to say about privilege and his realisation of him having it as a white, American man living in Ecuador. People treated him differently even though he didn’t want to be treated better than others. His main mission when moving to Ecuador was to become like a native and blend in. He finds out this will be harder than expected and tries to reject his privilege. But sometimes he needs it, which is interesting. I liked his debate with the benefits and negatives of having it, and how he handles situations which involves privilege.
He also says some very intriguing and thought-provoking things about deportation, living illegally in a country and how dehumanising the situation can be. When we watch the news, we see and hear the term ‘illegal immigrant’ being thrown around constantly. Immediately, we can assume the person is in the wrong (they are breaking the law, after all.) But reading this book showed me that not every scenario is so black and white. I have never thought about how it feels to deported, or what the situation may be like, and reading this book was an eye-opening experience for me. Dennehy is a very open-minded man, and seeing his development certainly fuelled my investment in his story.
I also really appreciated reading about his twisted love story. The female love interest has had a difficult past, and it does influence their relationship. It makes some elements of their love toxic. But then at the same time, when their relationship is going well, it is almost too perfect. It was completely invested in seeing their romance unravel – riding through the highs and the dangerously low lows – to see where they ended up by the end of the book. Dennehy does such a good job at conveying his own emotions through writing that when he was hurt, I felt it. When he was in love, I felt it too. We truly go on this journey with him. But don’t worry, the romance does not take over his tale. It fits in to his life and the writing as romance does in real life.
It was so amazing to see the spectacular lows and highs he experiences. The are some terribly, atrocious wrong doings which happen to him. But every now and again, there are some astonishing kindnesses that people grant him too. It was such a realistic representation of real life – not everything is roses and rainbows, but there are moments which are down, and some which are so good and heart-warming that your faith in humanity is restored.
The are some brief moments where he talks about teaching English in Ecuador and working with his students. Especially the kids. I loved those passages, and the photos in the middle of the book which brought the story to life even more. I have worked with kids before, also teaching English, so it really made me smile reading about it.
The writing style is the perfect balance between fictional and non-fiction. While this is non-fiction and I believe everything that Dennnehy writes he truly did experience, he writes it almost like a fictional story. Which worked perfectly for me because I don’t usually read non-fiction. It was unlike the fictional style I have read in any autobiography before. He never slips into dishing out facts to get the reader up to speed. Rather, he weaves them into the story.
Lastly, I want to mention how much I learned while reading. Not only did I learn about the concepts and themes, or about the Ecuadorian culture, or humanity and human traits, but I also learned about the political situation in Ecuador. For a long time there was a lot of political turmoil and instability. There were a lot of protests and barricades by the people in rebellion of the government and their leaders. I can’t speak for the present day situation, but I liked learning more about the politics and the governing system in Ecuador. Again, the author never spurts facts at the reader, but rather weaves it into the story-telling seamlessly.
Relevance to today: There is so much I could mention here, but I will focus on the personal illegal immigrant story. We hear the term ‘illegal immigrant’ all the time, but when we hear it we don’t picture an American in another country. Quite the opposite! It was really enlightening to read a book which gave this reverse perspective and gave insight into the emotions and thoughts that come with being an illegal immigrant. I will definitely read more stories and works about illegal immigrants in the future.
This review can originally be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: http://oliviascatastrophe.com/2018/05...
If I am going to write this review, I would like to start by focusing on the themes which were developed and woven into the ‘story’ (if I can call it that) so well. He has some very interesting things to say about privilege and his realisation of him having it as a white, American man living in Ecuador. People treated him differently even though he didn’t want to be treated better than others. His main mission when moving to Ecuador was to become like a native and blend in. He finds out this will be harder than expected and tries to reject his privilege. But sometimes he needs it, which is interesting. I liked his debate with the benefits and negatives of having it, and how he handles situations which involves privilege.
He also says some very intriguing and thought-provoking things about deportation, living illegally in a country and how dehumanising the situation can be. When we watch the news, we see and hear the term ‘illegal immigrant’ being thrown around constantly. Immediately, we can assume the person is in the wrong (they are breaking the law, after all.) But reading this book showed me that not every scenario is so black and white. I have never thought about how it feels to deported, or what the situation may be like, and reading this book was an eye-opening experience for me. Dennehy is a very open-minded man, and seeing his development certainly fuelled my investment in his story.
I also really appreciated reading about his twisted love story. The female love interest has had a difficult past, and it does influence their relationship. It makes some elements of their love toxic. But then at the same time, when their relationship is going well, it is almost too perfect. It was completely invested in seeing their romance unravel – riding through the highs and the dangerously low lows – to see where they ended up by the end of the book. Dennehy does such a good job at conveying his own emotions through writing that when he was hurt, I felt it. When he was in love, I felt it too. We truly go on this journey with him. But don’t worry, the romance does not take over his tale. It fits in to his life and the writing as romance does in real life.
It was so amazing to see the spectacular lows and highs he experiences. The are some terribly, atrocious wrong doings which happen to him. But every now and again, there are some astonishing kindnesses that people grant him too. It was such a realistic representation of real life – not everything is roses and rainbows, but there are moments which are down, and some which are so good and heart-warming that your faith in humanity is restored.
The are some brief moments where he talks about teaching English in Ecuador and working with his students. Especially the kids. I loved those passages, and the photos in the middle of the book which brought the story to life even more. I have worked with kids before, also teaching English, so it really made me smile reading about it.
The writing style is the perfect balance between fictional and non-fiction. While this is non-fiction and I believe everything that Dennnehy writes he truly did experience, he writes it almost like a fictional story. Which worked perfectly for me because I don’t usually read non-fiction. It was unlike the fictional style I have read in any autobiography before. He never slips into dishing out facts to get the reader up to speed. Rather, he weaves them into the story.
Lastly, I want to mention how much I learned while reading. Not only did I learn about the concepts and themes, or about the Ecuadorian culture, or humanity and human traits, but I also learned about the political situation in Ecuador. For a long time there was a lot of political turmoil and instability. There were a lot of protests and barricades by the people in rebellion of the government and their leaders. I can’t speak for the present day situation, but I liked learning more about the politics and the governing system in Ecuador. Again, the author never spurts facts at the reader, but rather weaves it into the story-telling seamlessly.
Relevance to today: There is so much I could mention here, but I will focus on the personal illegal immigrant story. We hear the term ‘illegal immigrant’ all the time, but when we hear it we don’t picture an American in another country. Quite the opposite! It was really enlightening to read a book which gave this reverse perspective and gave insight into the emotions and thoughts that come with being an illegal immigrant. I will definitely read more stories and works about illegal immigrants in the future.
This review can originally be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: http://oliviascatastrophe.com/2018/05...
September 30, 2017
This is a very special book. There are a lot of memoirs out there of white people having plucky adventures in dangerous lands. This is not one of those books. Dennehy is an extraordinary person with integrity and a deep desire to understand how the world works. This takes him to dangerous places, not for the thrill of it, but to seek truth. The fact that what he finds is complicated and uncomfortable, and challenges everything he ever assumed, makes this a raw, compelling and honest book. And lest it sound to worthy from that description, rest assured it is a page turner as good as any fictional thriller. This is mostly because of the love story at its core, which is passionate and fraught with lies, danger and misunderstandings. This relationship explodes against a background of serious political unrest, and Dennehy is forced to cross borders illegally in order to follow his heart. There has never been a more important time to see through the eyes of those whose lives are thwarted by borders.
The writing is refreshing, honest, un-padded and has no affectation. Dennehy is able both to vividly portray his own feelings, but also to dispassionately recount the situations he was involved in. You will not regret reading this and I believe that once it gains momentum, it will be rightly regarded as an important and unique book.
The writing is refreshing, honest, un-padded and has no affectation. Dennehy is able both to vividly portray his own feelings, but also to dispassionately recount the situations he was involved in. You will not regret reading this and I believe that once it gains momentum, it will be rightly regarded as an important and unique book.
December 8, 2017
A tremendous book cover to cover, ‘Illegal’ is a powerful and moving autobiographical account that reads like a novel. From the first page I was hooked, and devoured it in only a few days. As the subline from the title implies (‘Love, Revolution, and Crossing Borders’), the book deals with a lot of complex and deeply important issues of the human condition. But, it’s not a slow philosophical grind. Rather, Dennehy keeps the story plot-driven, with nuggets of keen observation and brutally honest retrospective that amplify what is already a fascinating story. After reading the book, I was forced to investigate some of my own beliefs in borders and nations, and I was also inspired to get back to travelling myself. This book is not quite like anything I’ve read before, and I highly recommend it to others – it is an exhilarating journey.
January 9, 2018
John Dennehy has written an honest and impressive account of his cross-border love story in South America, and its challenges of deportation and illegal border crossing.
Part coming-of-age, part a dive into complicated and intense love, it makes for a compelling and exciting read. What surprised me the most was how suspenseful it was, how I found myself unable to put it down for extended parts of the book. Even so, Dennehy invites the reader to put these events into the context of privilege, alienation, and not least - the purpose and challenge with nation-borders. While I do not necessarily agree with Dennehy in all of his ideas on the matter, I still found it a refreshing and well-founded approach to very complex problems.
A very nice travel read, that I can truly recommend.
Part coming-of-age, part a dive into complicated and intense love, it makes for a compelling and exciting read. What surprised me the most was how suspenseful it was, how I found myself unable to put it down for extended parts of the book. Even so, Dennehy invites the reader to put these events into the context of privilege, alienation, and not least - the purpose and challenge with nation-borders. While I do not necessarily agree with Dennehy in all of his ideas on the matter, I still found it a refreshing and well-founded approach to very complex problems.
A very nice travel read, that I can truly recommend.
December 8, 2017
I think you would be hard pressed to find a book more relevant in today's climate than Illegal: a true story of love, revolution and border crossings. The author, John Dennehy, does a terrific job of welcoming you into his mind, and invites you on a journey through South America. While the writing takes a political tone from the start, you don't have to necessarily agree with the author in order to enjoy this book. Not only is this a quick, entertaining story, but it's incredibly thought provoking. Whether intentional or not, Dennehy humanizes the trials and tribulations many people go through in search of their best life. With the world both connected and divided more than ever before, this is an important and engaging read and I highly recommend it.
August 19, 2017
In Illegal, journalist John Dennehy takes readers on a guided tour of the precarious border crossings he took shortly after the reelection of George W. Bush. One such crossing ended with his deportation back to the United States from Ecuador. And yet he was driven to sneak back into that country by a blinding love, and a life that often seemed--and would often prove--too good to be entirely true. His decision to live outside the US was the result of his many brushes with an uptick in nationalism there, including getting beaten up by a mob in the streets of New York because he dared protest the lead-up to the Iraq War.
Illegal is narrative journalism and autobiography that goes by quickly at about 200 pages. But Dennehy uses his own story as a lens through which to address issues much larger than himself. It's not just self-indulgent travel porn. In a very self-aware, earnest way, he asks big questions. Is it possible to maintain your most deeply held beliefs and goals in the face of bruising reality? If goods are allowed to cross borders freely, why can't people (with the minimum amount of necessary security in place)? Are people who they are or are they who we perceive them to be and who they present themselves as? At the outset of Illegal, Dennehy is a recent college graduate with a robust set of ideals. As the story progresses he doesn't lose them but they are tempered. One gets the sense that were the story to begin with an older, more mature Dennehy, he might have been able to get close to anticipating the very mess his country is in now.
Illegal is narrative journalism and autobiography that goes by quickly at about 200 pages. But Dennehy uses his own story as a lens through which to address issues much larger than himself. It's not just self-indulgent travel porn. In a very self-aware, earnest way, he asks big questions. Is it possible to maintain your most deeply held beliefs and goals in the face of bruising reality? If goods are allowed to cross borders freely, why can't people (with the minimum amount of necessary security in place)? Are people who they are or are they who we perceive them to be and who they present themselves as? At the outset of Illegal, Dennehy is a recent college graduate with a robust set of ideals. As the story progresses he doesn't lose them but they are tempered. One gets the sense that were the story to begin with an older, more mature Dennehy, he might have been able to get close to anticipating the very mess his country is in now.
December 16, 2017
September 11, 2001 saw a resurgence in the United States of nationalism (the belief that one’s country is better than all others), thinly disguised as patriotism (love of one’s country), which has, since the 2016 elections, only grown worse. Illegal by John Dennehy is a memoir by a young American, following the author’s journey of discovery, beginning with the reelection of George Bush to his second term, when Dennehy decided to leave his home country to find true meaning in his life.
In Ecuador, a country in the throes of profound political change, Dennehy meets Lucia, an activist, and begins to discover the meaning of national and personal identity; a journey that begins and ends at the same place. Along the way, the author offers insights into the inconsistencies that exist in an increasingly globalized world that recognizes the free flow of money, goods, and ideas, while at the same time, restricting the movement of people.
A compelling story of the meaning of culture and nationality, and how one person learns to cope with them. A must-read for anyone who wants to begin to make sense of a world that sometimes seems to be going mad.
In Ecuador, a country in the throes of profound political change, Dennehy meets Lucia, an activist, and begins to discover the meaning of national and personal identity; a journey that begins and ends at the same place. Along the way, the author offers insights into the inconsistencies that exist in an increasingly globalized world that recognizes the free flow of money, goods, and ideas, while at the same time, restricting the movement of people.
A compelling story of the meaning of culture and nationality, and how one person learns to cope with them. A must-read for anyone who wants to begin to make sense of a world that sometimes seems to be going mad.
August 8, 2017
A powerful first hand account of love and separation, this book had tears streaming down my cheeks by page 16. Its engrossing story and steady pace kept me, a slow reader who rarely finishes a book, hooked from start to finish. A rare glimpse into a painful reality gives the reader a personal connection to a geopolitical discussion that desperately needs more attention. I 100% recommend this book to anyone with a beating heart.
August 27, 2017
The self-awareness and honesty truly makes you feel everything the author is feeling throughout this story. It's a fascinating look at both the broader ideas surrounding revolutions, governments and borders, and the more personal side of struggling to make a place home when you feel your own home doesn't share your ideals any longer. I finished feeling both eager to set out for a new place and simultaneously frustrated by all that a passport represents. Great read.
May 11, 2018
This story is atypical. It’s nearly the opposite of the stereotype many of us have about who illegally crosses borders. My hope is that that strangeness makes the reader take a step back and think more critically about underlying issues like borders, identity and nationalism. This experience changed my life and redefined how I view the world and I want to give the reader an intimate and honest look through my eyes.
December 21, 2017
Having spent some time volunteering in Ecuador I found this book especially interesting. Some really wonderfully vivid descriptions of life down there that reminded me a lot of some of my own trips at times, you know, sans illegal border crossings. I was fascinated by the authors take on borders; I'm not sure I completely agree with everything but it's really got me thinking. I guess I've never really considered a lot of what the book talks about, though I'm happy to change that :)
October 11, 2017
A brief, but highly engaging read from start to finish. As introspective as it is engaging. Dennehy takes us over borders and back again, through deportations, close-calls, and nation-shifting protests. A tumultuous love story centers much of the book and inspires many of the more tense moments.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
May 7, 2018
My original Illegal: A True Story of Love, Revolution and Crossing Borders audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
John Dennehey shared his experiences and life journey when he decided to leave the U.S. and relocate to Ecuador. Trying to escape nationalism that the US experienced following 9/11, Dennehey decides he wants to become an activist, and not be confined by borders any longer. Oddly, his moving to Ecuador requires him to cross borders every 90 days or so and be reapproved for entry, otherwise, he is illegal. In his naivety, he tosses out the easy way to maintain his VISA only to resort to illegal means to stay with the woman he fell in love with and stay in his new home.
This book deals with the violence, political issues and unfairness between classes, ethnicity and lifestyles of two countries (North and South America). Dennehey matures and sees the world slightly different with the passage of time and experiences, but not before he becomes an illegal alien, liar, and manipulator.
I found the book to be engaging and interesting. While I knew it was difficult for people to enter the US, I never understood how difficult it is for Americans to immigrate until now. Dennehey writes clearly and with passion. His skill at wordsmithing is excellent. He is a visual writer leaving no question as to the emotion he is feeling or his experiences – he writes with such passion.
I did find moments in his journey where I really wanted to smack him on the head and tell him to grow up; i.e. his romance with a married woman … among other things. However, after finishing the audiobook, I reflected on my own youth and realized, sadly, that while I am older and wiser – I too had experienced “dumb” moments in my youth. I also wished I had had the drive to strike out on my own and make a difference or at least experienced life in a more complete manner.
The narrator, Joe Passaro provided an excellent performance. The book and Passaro seemed to become one – as if the journey and life experiences were his and no one else. His voice reflected the same passion and emotion as the writer. His youthful voice gave credence to the story that an older voice would not have given.
As I said, I enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it.
There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the author.
John Dennehey shared his experiences and life journey when he decided to leave the U.S. and relocate to Ecuador. Trying to escape nationalism that the US experienced following 9/11, Dennehey decides he wants to become an activist, and not be confined by borders any longer. Oddly, his moving to Ecuador requires him to cross borders every 90 days or so and be reapproved for entry, otherwise, he is illegal. In his naivety, he tosses out the easy way to maintain his VISA only to resort to illegal means to stay with the woman he fell in love with and stay in his new home.
This book deals with the violence, political issues and unfairness between classes, ethnicity and lifestyles of two countries (North and South America). Dennehey matures and sees the world slightly different with the passage of time and experiences, but not before he becomes an illegal alien, liar, and manipulator.
I found the book to be engaging and interesting. While I knew it was difficult for people to enter the US, I never understood how difficult it is for Americans to immigrate until now. Dennehey writes clearly and with passion. His skill at wordsmithing is excellent. He is a visual writer leaving no question as to the emotion he is feeling or his experiences – he writes with such passion.
I did find moments in his journey where I really wanted to smack him on the head and tell him to grow up; i.e. his romance with a married woman … among other things. However, after finishing the audiobook, I reflected on my own youth and realized, sadly, that while I am older and wiser – I too had experienced “dumb” moments in my youth. I also wished I had had the drive to strike out on my own and make a difference or at least experienced life in a more complete manner.
The narrator, Joe Passaro provided an excellent performance. The book and Passaro seemed to become one – as if the journey and life experiences were his and no one else. His voice reflected the same passion and emotion as the writer. His youthful voice gave credence to the story that an older voice would not have given.
As I said, I enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it.
There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the author.
August 25, 2017
I must admit that when I saw "Illegal" in its crowd-funding days on an American crowdfunding platform which I don't want to mention by name, I never made much of it. See, I'm not big on memoirs. After I've learned that this American Crowdfunding Publishing firm had deicded to give "Illega"l the boot (in a very non-affable manner) I've decided to give it a chance. And boy am I glad that I did!
John Dennehy recalls from memory and scribbles, the account of his life in Ecuador as an "Illegal gringo", during days in which the country have seen turmoil and citizen unrest, coup d'etat and more. He has been living in the heart of it all, a privilege kid from the states, who decided (post 9/11 and the growing nationalism Iraq war) to start a clean slate.
John teaches English in a few Ecuadorian institutes, falls in love with the beautiful Lucia, and become one of the locals in the city of Latacunga, a relatively unknown and un-touristical place.
The writing is virgin, if not naive, which makes this novel so endearing. John account of events is interesting, in a way which will hold you by the collar and literally would not let you drop the book (or Kindle Device). The author emphasizes throughout the novel the difference between reality as he sees it and common perceptions in the US, by publishing the State Department's travel warnings in regards to countries such as Ecuador and Colombia. We also grow with him, and see how he evovles and get disillusioned with the romance of revolution, connecting the sites in the end of his story to the same nationalism he had fled from, in the states.
A must read for anyone with an open mind, for travel lovers, for "mochileros", and for even for fiction lovers like myself! 5 stars without any doubt.
BTW - You can get a free eBook here (in exchange for a review) as well as a paperback giveaway
John Dennehy recalls from memory and scribbles, the account of his life in Ecuador as an "Illegal gringo", during days in which the country have seen turmoil and citizen unrest, coup d'etat and more. He has been living in the heart of it all, a privilege kid from the states, who decided (post 9/11 and the growing nationalism Iraq war) to start a clean slate.
John teaches English in a few Ecuadorian institutes, falls in love with the beautiful Lucia, and become one of the locals in the city of Latacunga, a relatively unknown and un-touristical place.
The writing is virgin, if not naive, which makes this novel so endearing. John account of events is interesting, in a way which will hold you by the collar and literally would not let you drop the book (or Kindle Device). The author emphasizes throughout the novel the difference between reality as he sees it and common perceptions in the US, by publishing the State Department's travel warnings in regards to countries such as Ecuador and Colombia. We also grow with him, and see how he evovles and get disillusioned with the romance of revolution, connecting the sites in the end of his story to the same nationalism he had fled from, in the states.
A must read for anyone with an open mind, for travel lovers, for "mochileros", and for even for fiction lovers like myself! 5 stars without any doubt.
BTW - You can get a free eBook here (in exchange for a review) as well as a paperback giveaway
January 2, 2018
This was between a 3 and a 4 star read for me. I found it an easy read for non-fiction and not too complicated to follow along. Dennehy's writing flowed well and I quickly was able to get into the story, identify with his ongoing struggles, and understand his perspective. The quote I liked the most was his definition of Nationalism..." Patriotism is pride in one's nation., I told Peter, but nationalism is the belief that your nation is better than the others and can play by different rules." I was impressed how at such a young age (early twenties), Dennehy was so emblazoned with politics. The risks he continually took left me dumbfounded and, often times, I did think he was just "dumb." Although I couldn't personally identify with his experiences, I have several family members and friends who are from Cuba and Latin America; those who have witnessed similar political struggles and daily trials as John describes he did in Ecuador. As an American, I can relate to some of Dennehy's National political thoughts and views but choose not to be so passionate about them and focus my energy on other, small changes I can employ within my community. However, it has always been clear to me that Americans are born with more privileges than those born in other countries such as Ecuador, Cuba, Syria, etc... One of those very distinct privileges is our ability to enter other Countries and/or immigrate to them. Dennehy does a good job of presenting a chronological story that describes a world foreign to most Americans and additionally intertwines a more personal journey of self-growth and awareness.
A "Thank You" to John Dennehy and to Book Movement for providing several copies of Illegal for my book club to read and discuss. I am looking forward to this discussion and the various topics it will touch.
A "Thank You" to John Dennehy and to Book Movement for providing several copies of Illegal for my book club to read and discuss. I am looking forward to this discussion and the various topics it will touch.
October 3, 2017
A phenomenal read! Not only is this book full of adventure and suspense, but Dennehy offers a thoughtful snapshot into the political landscape of Ecuador through his own raw experiences. His opposition to the United States involvement in foreign affairs and war pushes him to leave the country and start over in Ecuador. Here he finds himself in a number of precarious situations that leave him questioning the revolution and purpose of immigration policies. This book was both captivating and informative, challenging me to critically examine everything I know about borders. The relevance of this book in the current climate cannot be overstated. Illegal was one of my favourite reads this year and I highly recommend it.
December 28, 2017
Given the worldwide surge in nationalism and the international tightening of state borders, John Dennehy’s Illegal is an extremely timely book. Written as part love story, part social commentary, this deeply personal tale tracks the author as a young man through the politically tense days of Ecuador in the mid 2000s. Having visited many of the places mentioned in Dennehy’s story in the early 1990s, I can attest to the fact that he has a wonderful eye for detail and a tremendous feeling for the people of this country. This is a rare book that shares an individual’s growing experiences while raising the awareness of the reader to a part of the world we rarely think about. Illegal is a book well worth buying.
August 16, 2017
John Dennehy's memoir of love, life and illegally crossing borders in beautiful, but tumultuous Ecuador is told with vulnerability, honesty and is absolutely riveting. Illegal made me feel like I was hidden in the pages of Dennehy's passport - unsure of what was going to happen next, longing for a life that may have disappeared, never wanting the adventure to end.
January 18, 2018
This story is both timely and timeless. As our country seems to be headed toward fear, isolation and jingoism, Dennehy's life and writing offers us an opposing view of how we could be. I really enjoyed this book, and read it straight through in a few days.
January 25, 2018
Firstly, I want to thank the author for making his book available as a giveaway for my book club and for my friend Lory for applying for us. I encourage you to read her review as it will be better, and less bias, than mine.
Secondly, my disclaimer. I am in line with the author's political views. I found the author to mirror some of my closest and dearest friends. Unfortunately, I am a pragmatist and I found the author, and admittedly those closest and dearest friends mentioned (and they know this), exhausting. I can't romanticize political movements. While I support the cause, I grow increasingly jaded and apathetic, so, the abundance of idealism in the story irritated me. Apologies if I can't provide a better review thank "okay" but better to be candid as to the subjectivity of my review. My internal devil's advocate was provoked as I read.
Thirdly, the brutal honesty of this personal journey is refreshing. Having spent time in Central America/Caribbean and studying Latin American politics and immigration, this is, sadly, a realistic depiction. The retelling of a drama filled first love was also admirable because many would smooth over the ugliest times with euphemisms. All and all it was well written, creative but not overly flowery. Mr. Dennehy's writing made me feel like I was right there in the scene.
Lastly, while the epilogue saved the book for me, I am left feeling frustrated with the judgemental tone. If you're a lefty, liberal, dissident, rebel, idealist, etc. I highly recommend. For an over analytical, cynic like me, it needed more anthropological reflexivity and/or self challenge. Some does come, but too late.
Good luck to the author on his current endeavors at the United Nations.
Secondly, my disclaimer. I am in line with the author's political views. I found the author to mirror some of my closest and dearest friends. Unfortunately, I am a pragmatist and I found the author, and admittedly those closest and dearest friends mentioned (and they know this), exhausting. I can't romanticize political movements. While I support the cause, I grow increasingly jaded and apathetic, so, the abundance of idealism in the story irritated me. Apologies if I can't provide a better review thank "okay" but better to be candid as to the subjectivity of my review. My internal devil's advocate was provoked as I read.
Thirdly, the brutal honesty of this personal journey is refreshing. Having spent time in Central America/Caribbean and studying Latin American politics and immigration, this is, sadly, a realistic depiction. The retelling of a drama filled first love was also admirable because many would smooth over the ugliest times with euphemisms. All and all it was well written, creative but not overly flowery. Mr. Dennehy's writing made me feel like I was right there in the scene.
Lastly, while the epilogue saved the book for me, I am left feeling frustrated with the judgemental tone. If you're a lefty, liberal, dissident, rebel, idealist, etc. I highly recommend. For an over analytical, cynic like me, it needed more anthropological reflexivity and/or self challenge. Some does come, but too late.
Good luck to the author on his current endeavors at the United Nations.
February 27, 2018
Dennehy is extremely open with his own youthful naivite, which was very refreshing. For all the other things that this book is, it's mostly a story of loss. A loss of innocence. You can see how Dennehy has matured through small comments and the epilogue but I admire that he left in all of his mistakes too--makes for a much more honest story.
March 12, 2018
John Dennehy’s, “Illegal: A True Story of Love, Revolution, and Crossing Borders,” is a story recounting the struggle following the aftermath of 9/11 within America for those who do not follow the “normative” style of Americanization. John is from New York and is trying to avoid the crazy outcomes and groupthink that is occurring after 9/11’s attack. He finds himself in Ecuador, where Lucia offers him a fresh take on life while finding solace in one another as the world continues its chaotic events. Unfortunately, his time runs short as his deportation back to the United States puts his life into a whole new swing, as he leaves behind everything he has learned to love and enjoy, when he had once thought there was no such possibility. I absolutely love John’s personality because he is the proof that there is always a chance for life to change and how one adapts to it showcases their resilience.
May 8, 2018
This book was so a true story that was so well-written. I really enjoyed this book.
This is journalist John Dennehy story. He takes us on a guided tour of the hair-raising tour of Ecuador. This trip occurred shortly nine eleven. After facing a terrorist attack on September 11th, he realizes that it was time to leave the states and search for something better, something that could make him happy. On his trip he finds love but ends up deported back to the United States from Ecuador. And yet he was driven to sneak back into that country to find his love. His decision to live outside the US was the result of his many brushes with nationalism here, including getting beaten up by a mob in the streets of New York because he dared protest the Iraq War.
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book, please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it when you do; they value your opinions too.
This is journalist John Dennehy story. He takes us on a guided tour of the hair-raising tour of Ecuador. This trip occurred shortly nine eleven. After facing a terrorist attack on September 11th, he realizes that it was time to leave the states and search for something better, something that could make him happy. On his trip he finds love but ends up deported back to the United States from Ecuador. And yet he was driven to sneak back into that country to find his love. His decision to live outside the US was the result of his many brushes with nationalism here, including getting beaten up by a mob in the streets of New York because he dared protest the Iraq War.
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book, please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it when you do; they value your opinions too.
March 17, 2018
The book is based on the topic of today- Border, nationalism, security and impact on the human conditions, behavior and thoughts. It is an author’s personal story, touching, and has political angle, human feelings, love and socialism. The author’s personal experiences, his journey, events and circumstances are actually told as the plot unfolds and keeps the interest going for the reader!
September 10, 2017
I won this from a new book site that I am a member of called bookgobbler.com It is a non fiction book by this author. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. I hope to read more books by this author. I won it as a e book.
May 13, 2018
I bring you a new review for a non-fiction audiobook. After I finished listening to John’s memoire, I said to myself: This is unique, thrilling, thought-provoking! Illegal: A True Story of Love, Revolution and Crossing Borders is one of a kind and I am glad that I got the opportunity to experience this adventure on my own, through the great writing by John Dennehy and the excellent performance by Joe Passaro.
The story opens with John as he is arrested in Ecuador and set up for deportation. It is a very tense opening and the author, John himself, manages to capture the listener’s attention from the first few seconds. But, his story starts on 9/11, when the planes struck, when the towers fell, when US citizens confuse nationalism with patriotism. After George Bush is elected once again as President of the United States and the war with Iraq is on its way, our young John Dennehy leaves the US and goes to Ecuador as a professor.
As Ecuador is in the midst of a revolution, he observes the turmoil and at some point he gets involved himself, as he thinks that he can help. John fells in love and after a few dangerous adventures we find out why he was arrested and now it all makes a lot of sense. But, John‘s trials don’t end there, on the contrary, his adventure just begins…
As the subtitle claims, Illegal is indeed A True Story of Love, Revolution and Crossing Borders and sometimes I wish that I could be as smart, resourceful and contemplative as john Dennehy. His adventure inspired me and opened my eyes to some things and world problems that I have never thought about before. You can read more about the story in the Publisher’s Summary that I added below, but I don’t want to spoil anything…
The narrator, joe Passaro, does a great job and delivers John‘s memoire with talent and passion. He is very good with accents, he uses different voices and inflections while keeping every character unique in the listener’s mind. Also, Joe has the perfect voice for this audiobook performance as he instantly made me think about a 20 years old when I first heard him and that’s exactly what John could sound like.
Illegal: A True Story by John Dennehy and performed by Joe Passaro is a great accomplishment by both author and narrator alike. If you want a short read or listen for the Weekend, this adventure might be just the thing for you, and the fact that everything in it is true, makes it even more special.
I hope that you enjoyed this review and that you'll read more of them here or on theAudiobookBlog dot com.
Please vote Yes below in order to highlight it for other readers.
Thank you,
Victor
The story opens with John as he is arrested in Ecuador and set up for deportation. It is a very tense opening and the author, John himself, manages to capture the listener’s attention from the first few seconds. But, his story starts on 9/11, when the planes struck, when the towers fell, when US citizens confuse nationalism with patriotism. After George Bush is elected once again as President of the United States and the war with Iraq is on its way, our young John Dennehy leaves the US and goes to Ecuador as a professor.
As Ecuador is in the midst of a revolution, he observes the turmoil and at some point he gets involved himself, as he thinks that he can help. John fells in love and after a few dangerous adventures we find out why he was arrested and now it all makes a lot of sense. But, John‘s trials don’t end there, on the contrary, his adventure just begins…
As the subtitle claims, Illegal is indeed A True Story of Love, Revolution and Crossing Borders and sometimes I wish that I could be as smart, resourceful and contemplative as john Dennehy. His adventure inspired me and opened my eyes to some things and world problems that I have never thought about before. You can read more about the story in the Publisher’s Summary that I added below, but I don’t want to spoil anything…
The narrator, joe Passaro, does a great job and delivers John‘s memoire with talent and passion. He is very good with accents, he uses different voices and inflections while keeping every character unique in the listener’s mind. Also, Joe has the perfect voice for this audiobook performance as he instantly made me think about a 20 years old when I first heard him and that’s exactly what John could sound like.
Illegal: A True Story by John Dennehy and performed by Joe Passaro is a great accomplishment by both author and narrator alike. If you want a short read or listen for the Weekend, this adventure might be just the thing for you, and the fact that everything in it is true, makes it even more special.
I hope that you enjoyed this review and that you'll read more of them here or on theAudiobookBlog dot com.
Please vote Yes below in order to highlight it for other readers.
Thank you,
Victor
February 4, 2018
This book is a necessary read. One does not understand the absurdity that is international law and the limitations we have put on the edges of culture, empathy, and even plain old geography. The author has a very unique view on what it's like to live and love in between the lines that we have drawn all over the world. The confusion, heartbreak and determination of the POV perspires from the book as he adventures his way in and out of beautiful, alien and dangerous circumstances. A work of truth that reads like fiction. Worth it.
December 27, 2018
An inspiring view on borders, people (both good and bad), and the rise of nationalism both in Ecuador and here in the US. I found myself nodding along with Mr. Dennehy's views quite often and did something I've never done before: annotated. All in all, a very interesting look at life south of the border.
January 6, 2018
With immigration on the front line of urgent issues today, this book offers a unique perspective of an American facing border crossings & deportation. Let’s continue the conversation. No human is illegal!
September 18, 2018
Excellent
A well-written coming of age story. I also taught English in Ecuador, in what sounds like the same school just one semester earlier. I now have a better understanding of the political turmoil that was going on at the time.
A well-written coming of age story. I also taught English in Ecuador, in what sounds like the same school just one semester earlier. I now have a better understanding of the political turmoil that was going on at the time.
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