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Luz
Alma Cruz wishes her willful teenage daughter, Luz, could know the truth about her past, but there are things Luz can never know about the journey Alma took to the US to find her missing father. In 2000—three years after the disappearance of her father, who left Oaxaca to work on farms in California—Alma sets out on a perilous trek north with her sister, Rosa. What happens once she reaches the US is a journey from despair to hope.Timeless in its depiction of the depths of family devotion and the blaze of first love, Luz conveys, with compassion and insight, the plight of those desperate to cross the US border.
- GenresFictionLiterary Fiction
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2020
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1527 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 21, 2020
Thank you to She Writes Press & NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available June 9th 2020.
I struggled with this book, not with the story but with the concepts behind them. In the foreward of this book, author Alma Luz Villanueva notes that she is hesitant about reading a book about the trauma of migration between Mexico and the United States by a non Hispanic white author but that she was persuaded by the afterword. As a curious reader, I quickly jumped to the afterword in which the author describes her work with Latinx students as well as her work with BorderLinks. She states "at this point in my life, I wanted to write about the undocumented immigrant community in a way that others could see through their eyes and experience and understand why they were driven to leave their homes and risk their lives to come to our country." And that's exactly the issue with Luz. The story is technically well written, vividly described, but it is not honest, true or empowering. Thomas's writing is just that, her writing, her American citizen's viewpoint of immigration and the story reeks of American savior complex. Perhaps if Luz was a different story, if it was Thomas tackling her native upstate New York family's racist viewpoints or her story as a working class woman who decided to work with undocumented persons, it would have felt more genuine.
Available June 9th 2020.
I struggled with this book, not with the story but with the concepts behind them. In the foreward of this book, author Alma Luz Villanueva notes that she is hesitant about reading a book about the trauma of migration between Mexico and the United States by a non Hispanic white author but that she was persuaded by the afterword. As a curious reader, I quickly jumped to the afterword in which the author describes her work with Latinx students as well as her work with BorderLinks. She states "at this point in my life, I wanted to write about the undocumented immigrant community in a way that others could see through their eyes and experience and understand why they were driven to leave their homes and risk their lives to come to our country." And that's exactly the issue with Luz. The story is technically well written, vividly described, but it is not honest, true or empowering. Thomas's writing is just that, her writing, her American citizen's viewpoint of immigration and the story reeks of American savior complex. Perhaps if Luz was a different story, if it was Thomas tackling her native upstate New York family's racist viewpoints or her story as a working class woman who decided to work with undocumented persons, it would have felt more genuine.
August 31, 2020
If I could only recommend one novel this year, this would be the one. Luz is a timely and illuminating story for anyone interested in learning more about an immigrant’s plight. Luz recounts the harrowing journey of protagonist Alma and her older sister Rosa on their journey through Mexico to El Norte. Driven by a profound desire to find their missing father who would regularly make the arduous trek across the border to work as a migrant farmer in the fields of California in order to support the family, the sisters would not be deterred. The novel juxtaposes brutality and beauty, tragedy and hope. Even though we witness the ugly side of mankind, during the journey we are introduced to selfless individuals who reaffirm our faith in humanity. Ultimately, Luz is a love story- a story of familial love, budding romantic love, and love of patria. Debut author Thomas has clearly researched the topic, even invoking the legacy of farm worker activists César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, and writes with compassion and empathy. As these characters have left an indelible mark on my heart, this story will long stay with me.
May 23, 2020
This heartfelt novel will take you on a dangerous journey – a journey of a teenage girl, yet a young woman, who has one goal in mind – to find her father. Told in the first person, Alma, pulls the reader along as she risks losing everything she treasures. For over three decades her father had worked on farms throughout California. She is desperate to learn why he didn’t return that last summer. She knew the dangers in crossing the border had only increased with time. The harshness of the life that Alma shared with her mother, sister and brothers in Oaxaca paled against the deprivation and brutality of the attempts at border crossings. LUZ is a story of generosity, of kindness, of secrets, of betrayal, and the challenges of mother/daughter relationships. But most of all - this is a love story - of Alma’s fierce love for her father, the love between sisters, and the tenderness of first love. When Alma’s search ended, I gasped at the twist. “Nothing is impossible.”
June 22, 2020
This vividly-written novel is told from the viewpoint of Alma, a young Mexican girl who yearns for a better life. Forced to leave school when her father fails to return from a job in the US, Alma must work to help earn money for her family. When her living situation becomes unbearable, Alma decides to run away to the US to search for her father. Her difficult journey is upsetting to read at times, but we come to care very much about Alma and the people she becomes close to. Alma endures many hardships and even brutality on her journey, but she also meets several caring strangers and finds her first real love. The author uses a clever device at the end of several chapters--math problems devised by Alma that are pertinent to what is happening in the story. The dialogue in this book flows easily, and the lush descriptions of settings make this book a pleasure to read.
June 9, 2020
With the current societal shifts taking place in our country today, it is imperative that we listen to the stories of the unheard now more than ever. In LUZ, Debra Thomas tells the story of young Alma, a teenage girl from Mexico who travels to the U. S. in search of her missing father. It is a story of struggle, loss, sadness, and ultimately, hope. Thomas’ work as an immigrant rights advocate and ESL teacher was the motivation for this novel; through her descriptive storytelling, she captures the plight of undocumented immigrants and the struggles they face while in search of a better life. Thomas’ masterful storytelling teaches us to open our hearts to the plight of the suppressed.
April 25, 2020
Luz by Debra Thomas from She Writes Press - This is a story of three migrants teenagers, Alma, Rosa and Manuel (from Guatemala), who try to make their way from Oaxaca in Mexico to the US. Their journey is fraught with many dangers and loss of life but ultimately there is hope of a better life.
Few things I enjoyed in Thomas’ writing are her descriptions of the desert scenes and the violence that takes place there, the maths problems Alma writes up as a coping mechanism through her journey and last but not the least the author’s notes at the end where she talks about why she as a white woman, had to seek the advice of the award winning author, Alma Luz Villaneuva, before appropriating the voice of a Mexican young woman. As a reader who cares about how authorial voice is used, I respect this gesture. There’s sensitivity, compassion and openness in Thomas’ writing.
Luz is reminiscent of The Bluest Eye. This is a compliment to the author. She has piqued my interest in Mexican literature and I will now go look for some more great writing from the country.
Why do I not score Luz higher? The story is powerful but it could have been deeper and richer in certain parts like the depth of Alma’s grief at the loss of Rosa. I wanted a more primordial sense of loss and pain but what I got was a more muted one.
This is still a great read. Definitely a buy.
Few things I enjoyed in Thomas’ writing are her descriptions of the desert scenes and the violence that takes place there, the maths problems Alma writes up as a coping mechanism through her journey and last but not the least the author’s notes at the end where she talks about why she as a white woman, had to seek the advice of the award winning author, Alma Luz Villaneuva, before appropriating the voice of a Mexican young woman. As a reader who cares about how authorial voice is used, I respect this gesture. There’s sensitivity, compassion and openness in Thomas’ writing.
Luz is reminiscent of The Bluest Eye. This is a compliment to the author. She has piqued my interest in Mexican literature and I will now go look for some more great writing from the country.
Why do I not score Luz higher? The story is powerful but it could have been deeper and richer in certain parts like the depth of Alma’s grief at the loss of Rosa. I wanted a more primordial sense of loss and pain but what I got was a more muted one.
This is still a great read. Definitely a buy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2020
Who is Luz? And why does it matter?
Debra Thomas’ debut novel Luz (She Writes Press) was an eye-opener for me. Despite immigration from Mexico being front and center in the news, I haven’t spent much energy learning what it really means to desperately need and want to flee your country. This exceptionally well-written story has changed all that.
In the novel, we accompany teenagers Alma and her sister Rosa on a harrowing journey through Mexico to America in a search for their father who’d gone missing three years prior. Through their mutual bond and faith in each other, we experience true sisterly love and caring, as well as deep-seated courage in the face of unknown dangers.
It’s perhaps through Alma’s mathematical mind, she’s able to persevere, to never give up her mission. And when she gets to the other side, and all does not end the way she’d hoped, Alma is rewarded in ways she never expected. Sometimes the past should remain past, because the future holds so much more promise.
Thomas educates us on the perils of crossing the border illegally without inserting a heavy political narrative. As a reader, I appreciated that she gave me just enough history that will enable me to do my own research on topics that are of particular interest to me.
So who is Luz? You’ll need to read the book to get the answer to that burning question!
Debra Thomas’ debut novel Luz (She Writes Press) was an eye-opener for me. Despite immigration from Mexico being front and center in the news, I haven’t spent much energy learning what it really means to desperately need and want to flee your country. This exceptionally well-written story has changed all that.
In the novel, we accompany teenagers Alma and her sister Rosa on a harrowing journey through Mexico to America in a search for their father who’d gone missing three years prior. Through their mutual bond and faith in each other, we experience true sisterly love and caring, as well as deep-seated courage in the face of unknown dangers.
It’s perhaps through Alma’s mathematical mind, she’s able to persevere, to never give up her mission. And when she gets to the other side, and all does not end the way she’d hoped, Alma is rewarded in ways she never expected. Sometimes the past should remain past, because the future holds so much more promise.
Thomas educates us on the perils of crossing the border illegally without inserting a heavy political narrative. As a reader, I appreciated that she gave me just enough history that will enable me to do my own research on topics that are of particular interest to me.
So who is Luz? You’ll need to read the book to get the answer to that burning question!
July 4, 2020
My heart began pounding wildly from the middle to the end of Debra Thomas’s award-winning book. I read it in one day, because I cared for the spunky, mathematics-loving young girl, Alma, who travels the length of Mexico in a rattle-trap truck, an assortment of buses, and the La Bestia train. Like her first love, I wanted to see her safely through tunnels and over the wall into the U.S. knowing that she would likely encounter enormous obstacles and no one could guarantee her safety. The tension and truth of Alma’s treacherous journey held me spellbound throughout the book. The clever use of her math problems and calculations intrigued me. The book gives a clear picture of how and why the bravest and most hopeful people attempt this crossing. Thank you for taking me on this exciting odyssey.
June 3, 2021
While parts of this story were hard to read, I loved everything about this book. Debra Thomas took such care to bring Alma and the rest of the cast to life. Every step that Alma and Rosa took, in addition then to Manuel, made them dearer to me, and I feared (for good reason) for the journey they embarked on. If you want a sensitive, educated, loving depiction of what and why border crossings happen, told from the viewpoint of a trustworthy character, this is the book for you.
If you hesitate to purchase a book about Latinx culture written by a white woman, I ask you to reconsider. Once you've read the Foreword, written by Alma Luz Villanueva, you're skepticism will be relaxed.
You can't read this book without being hit in the gut by what it must feel like to leave everything and everyone you know--your culture--to risk your life and have to start all over again. A must read.
If you hesitate to purchase a book about Latinx culture written by a white woman, I ask you to reconsider. Once you've read the Foreword, written by Alma Luz Villanueva, you're skepticism will be relaxed.
You can't read this book without being hit in the gut by what it must feel like to leave everything and everyone you know--your culture--to risk your life and have to start all over again. A must read.
September 27, 2021
Endearing, heartbreaking, and poignantly written. Like any great book, I became vested in the characters and their journeys. The author has taken great care to research and understand the plight faced by immigrants and she translates that brilliantly through her storytelling. I enjoyed taking this adventure with Alma and saw a different life perspective through her eyes. There were surprises and unforeseen plot points—some are happy, others are devastating—and the layers add to the complexity and depth of the narrative. The author’s love, appreciation, and respect for her characters are prevalent throughout the pages, and I appreciated her descriptive insights at the end of the book. Brilliantly done!
August 18, 2020
This is a superbly written book that tells a regrettably all too common story of a young girl seeking refuge in the United States by leaving her homeland and attempting to cross the southern border of Arizona. Her unimaginable struggles to gain her freedom are woven into a story told simply but eloquently, beautifully illustrating the Latino culture while depicting the commonality of all humans to have simple, basic needs met and to live with loved ones in safety and peace. “Luz” challenges us all to consider the plight of those in desperate need of refuge, and to realize the immense desire of all humans to live free.
February 8, 2022
Debra Thomas' novel LUZ will remain with you long after you read it. It depicts the physical and emotional turmoil all her characters traverse as they migrate between borders. She does so in deft, crisp, objective but deeply perceptive prose--telling the stories of the characters who stay in their birthplaces, the characters who journey to live in the U.S., and the characters who go back and forth. To say it's a timely book is an understatement, yet it's a social justice issue that has been swept under the carpet for eons whose time is much overdue.
The storyline is both poignant and telling, making the subtle point that immigrants are people with stories instead of statistics. Following its protagonist, Alma, step by step, as she makes the difficult choices that take her deeper and deeper into the dangers of crossing the border between Mexico and the U.S., we experience the contrasting horror and love she faces as she travels toward the border. As a humanitarian worker myself for two decades, I was honored to be able to witness stories from those who felt it necessary or were forced to cross a border, and the author has had similar experience to mine. The depth of her experience is obvious in her character-driven plot, which is steeped in both knowledge of her subject matter and compassion for her characters, who must endure (or die in) the no-person's land of movement across borders. I loved Alma, her family in all its iterations, her bright mind, and her resilient strength, which remained in spite of hope being given, and that hope being immediately snatched away. She'll continue to spread light and love everywhere someone reads her story. We need to read more stories like hers to open our eyes and move our hearts to action.
An end note: As an author, I can usually predict the ending of novel. Not only could I not predict this one at all, I was impressed with its realism, which provided neither full-on hope nor hopelessness, but the fortitude and courage found in straddling both.
The storyline is both poignant and telling, making the subtle point that immigrants are people with stories instead of statistics. Following its protagonist, Alma, step by step, as she makes the difficult choices that take her deeper and deeper into the dangers of crossing the border between Mexico and the U.S., we experience the contrasting horror and love she faces as she travels toward the border. As a humanitarian worker myself for two decades, I was honored to be able to witness stories from those who felt it necessary or were forced to cross a border, and the author has had similar experience to mine. The depth of her experience is obvious in her character-driven plot, which is steeped in both knowledge of her subject matter and compassion for her characters, who must endure (or die in) the no-person's land of movement across borders. I loved Alma, her family in all its iterations, her bright mind, and her resilient strength, which remained in spite of hope being given, and that hope being immediately snatched away. She'll continue to spread light and love everywhere someone reads her story. We need to read more stories like hers to open our eyes and move our hearts to action.
An end note: As an author, I can usually predict the ending of novel. Not only could I not predict this one at all, I was impressed with its realism, which provided neither full-on hope nor hopelessness, but the fortitude and courage found in straddling both.
October 16, 2021
What a fascinating,, sad, enthralling book by Debra Thomas! I am certain that I would never have the courage and determination to try to cross the border with her sister, and Manuel that Alma possessed in the book LUZ! I got way more than I ever anticipated from this book, and once again, am reminded of how fortunate we are to live in this country. The author captures the personalities of the characters as they actually exist, there were times when I was forced to take a break from reading it. It was sad, moving, and hopeful all at the same time.It moved me in a way that I haven't felt for quite some time, but, trust me when I tell you that it is well worth your time to read it. I learned a great deal that I would never have spent any time thinking about. Beautifully done, Debra Thomas, and keep these controversial books coming!
July 9, 2020
I recently finished reading Luz by Debra Thomas. It’s an outstanding first novel by this author. I had some idea about the plot and her ability as a writer from the reviews I read. She not only a beautiful writer, she was able to clearly convey the journey Alma took…..on many levels. With great care and compassion Thomas was able to bring this young woman, her struggles and her emotional development to life. This all in the context of both ugly reality as well as great kindness and love. Given the state of our country today, this book came at the perfect time. I am so hoping people read this book. We need to try to understand realities other than our own.
April 4, 2022
In Debra Thomas’s compassionately rendered Luz, her protagonist’s (Alma) border crossing from Mexico into the United States is relayed in painful, harrowing, and often shocking detail. It is a powerful and, at times, difficult read. Yet an important one. The reader easily forgets that this is a work of fiction, as the story Thomas so deftly portrays is all too common and all too real. But, it is one filled with hope and determination and the relentless spirit of a young passionate girl. The math “problems” woven throughout are thought-provoking and inventive, offering a unique dimension to Alma’s challenges and joys.
July 9, 2020
Luz is a remarkable book. An ode to the human spirit of struggle and survival, Ms Thomas traces Alma’s harrowing border crossing from Mexico to the US. We get to know Alma intimately through the course of her journey. It is a testimony to the strength of all immigrants who have risked leaving their familiar world in search of a better life in a new country. The book is riveting from start to finish. I learned a lot from Ms. Thomas detailed scenes. Even though Ms. Thomas is not Latina, we find her account totally believable. I highly recommend this book.
May 23, 2021
This beautifully written novel is bursting at the seams with all the mystery and suspense of any uncertain journey. Hoping to find their father, teen-aged Alma (the novel’s narrator) and her older sister Rosa make the difficult decision to travel from Mexico to the United States. Along the way, Alma falls in love with Manuel, a Guatemalan, who travels with them. As they try again and again to reach el norte, the trio encounters danger and heartbreak. Throughout the novel, Alma’s courage and intelligence are apparent on every page.
January 28, 2021
Deborah Thomas has written a story that will stay with you long after the last page is finished. Luz is a story that follows young Alma Cruz on a desperate journey to cross the border between Mexico and California to find her father. It's a story about love and loss. Bravery, determination, and unwavering hope. Thomas writes with such honesty and rawness you can't ignore Alma or stories like hers. Everyone should read this novel.
April 19, 2021
Luz is hauntingly painful as it depicts the inhumanity we continue to heap upon one another. Yet it is equally inspiring in reminding us of the strength, resiliency, and innate determination of the human spirit to survive and thrive. I highly recommend this book to all.
March 23, 2021
The characters are well developed, the plot realistic, the perils believable. But in addition to that it really does an amazing job of presenting in a fictional used composite what it is like for so many undocumented immigrants who come to the US looking for something or someone. It’s definitely one I’ll add to my immigration bookshelf.
But here’s a big warning: there is an assault that is very triggering. Please, please consider that before reading.
But here’s a big warning: there is an assault that is very triggering. Please, please consider that before reading.
August 26, 2025
heartbreaking story
April 2, 2022
Immigrant advocate Debra Thomas makes us care instead of turning away!
We are drawn immediately into this well written story that opens in 2015 in Los Angeles when Alma Cruz and her teenage daughter, Luz, get into a heated discussion about the plight of migrants at the southern border. As the story unfolds, we are whisked back to 1997 when Alma’s dad has gone missing after he failed to return to their home in Oaxaca, Mexico after working the fields in El Norte, the U.S.
Alma, who prides herself on being her father’s favorite, has been growing more impatient and worried as each day passes without his return. Alma is also the keeper of a secret she thinks might be one reason her dad hasn’t returned home. Three years after he’s disappeared, Alma sets out with her sister Rosa, two years older and “the pretty one,” on a perilous journey north to look for their dad. Along the way they meet Manuel, a teenager from Guatemala with his own hardships and reasons for wanting to cross the border and get to California.
The trio encounter acts of kindness and cruelty that leave them hopeful one moment and in complete despair the next. Just when they think they’ve seen the best and worst of humanity, along come complete strangers who either go out of their way to help them or to inflict harm.
Author Debra Thomas writes with emotional impact. She doesn’t spare the reader, even when life and death hang in the balance. The story is told from Alma’s first-person perspective. As a reader, I have no doubt that Alma chose Debra Thomas to tell her first-person account of what happened and the consequences she endured. All Alma wanted was to find out the truth about her dad and to seek hope for a better life.
Part of me will always be on the journey with Alma, Rosa, and Manuel. Their story changed me.
LUZ, perfect for book clubs everywhere!
We are drawn immediately into this well written story that opens in 2015 in Los Angeles when Alma Cruz and her teenage daughter, Luz, get into a heated discussion about the plight of migrants at the southern border. As the story unfolds, we are whisked back to 1997 when Alma’s dad has gone missing after he failed to return to their home in Oaxaca, Mexico after working the fields in El Norte, the U.S.
Alma, who prides herself on being her father’s favorite, has been growing more impatient and worried as each day passes without his return. Alma is also the keeper of a secret she thinks might be one reason her dad hasn’t returned home. Three years after he’s disappeared, Alma sets out with her sister Rosa, two years older and “the pretty one,” on a perilous journey north to look for their dad. Along the way they meet Manuel, a teenager from Guatemala with his own hardships and reasons for wanting to cross the border and get to California.
The trio encounter acts of kindness and cruelty that leave them hopeful one moment and in complete despair the next. Just when they think they’ve seen the best and worst of humanity, along come complete strangers who either go out of their way to help them or to inflict harm.
Author Debra Thomas writes with emotional impact. She doesn’t spare the reader, even when life and death hang in the balance. The story is told from Alma’s first-person perspective. As a reader, I have no doubt that Alma chose Debra Thomas to tell her first-person account of what happened and the consequences she endured. All Alma wanted was to find out the truth about her dad and to seek hope for a better life.
Part of me will always be on the journey with Alma, Rosa, and Manuel. Their story changed me.
LUZ, perfect for book clubs everywhere!
April 15, 2022
At a time when much is made about who gets to write what stories and if authors have franchise to depict characters outside their own culture, I read Debra Thomas’ touching novel, LUZ, with an open mind, choosing to put aside those political arguments to involve myself in the story, the characters, and the details of their narrative. And just as I have become immersed in tales of women written by men, stories of antiquity written by contemporary scribes, or chronicles of extraterrestrials detailed by humans, I became immersed. It is a compelling, touching story, beautifully written.
As a reader who is deeply aware of the world in which we live, and who read and understood the background, research, and experience that went into Thomas’ passion and commitment to write this story authentically, I was captivated. The main protagonist, a young math wizard of much heart and soul, Alma, drives a plot of familial love, perilous circumstances, and the dogged, dangerous pursuit to find both a lost father and a better life. The journey that unfolds for Alma, her sister, Rosa, and new love, Manuel, comes with nail-biting twists, the tender engagement of love, and the terrifying, dangerous turns that eventually propel her across the border.
There was never a moment when I didn’t care what happened to Alma, when I didn't mourn her losses, or feel her terrors, and as we accompany her to the ultimate truths she must face and endure, we also share the joys and triumphs of her journey.
A powerful, touching story told with tremendous skill, heart, and passion (and a clever addendum of Alma's math proficiency!), LUZ is a book I highly recommend.
As a reader who is deeply aware of the world in which we live, and who read and understood the background, research, and experience that went into Thomas’ passion and commitment to write this story authentically, I was captivated. The main protagonist, a young math wizard of much heart and soul, Alma, drives a plot of familial love, perilous circumstances, and the dogged, dangerous pursuit to find both a lost father and a better life. The journey that unfolds for Alma, her sister, Rosa, and new love, Manuel, comes with nail-biting twists, the tender engagement of love, and the terrifying, dangerous turns that eventually propel her across the border.
There was never a moment when I didn’t care what happened to Alma, when I didn't mourn her losses, or feel her terrors, and as we accompany her to the ultimate truths she must face and endure, we also share the joys and triumphs of her journey.
A powerful, touching story told with tremendous skill, heart, and passion (and a clever addendum of Alma's math proficiency!), LUZ is a book I highly recommend.
January 30, 2022
When this book was recommended to me, I hesitated, after all the discussions on American Dirt. But I’m glad I pushed past that initial distaste because it was a beautiful story, well written and eye opening. Is it authentic? I can’t say, as a white woman born and raised in the US. But I do hope it can be an entry point novel, for people who maybe aren’t as open minded about immigration and the experiences of migrant workers. I’m a firm believer that white women are responsible for getting more white women on the side of equity, and this book will hopefully be a launching point of serious conversation in the future.
The math problems woven into the story were a surprising element for me. They give Alma a sense of her identity and control through the trauma, but also, when solved, they are an eye opener to. A message without the preaching. And again, reading it with an eye to the white savior complex, I’m glad Thomas made Alma an extremely intelligent character committed to education, instead of falling into more harmful stereotypes that often accompany poverty.
It’s a shame that American Dirt became a best seller and this book seems to have gone largely unnoticed. It’s a worthwhile read, and from here I’ll seek out a story from a Central American writer next, to learn more.
The math problems woven into the story were a surprising element for me. They give Alma a sense of her identity and control through the trauma, but also, when solved, they are an eye opener to. A message without the preaching. And again, reading it with an eye to the white savior complex, I’m glad Thomas made Alma an extremely intelligent character committed to education, instead of falling into more harmful stereotypes that often accompany poverty.
It’s a shame that American Dirt became a best seller and this book seems to have gone largely unnoticed. It’s a worthwhile read, and from here I’ll seek out a story from a Central American writer next, to learn more.
October 31, 2021
Alma was always the smart one, the daughter who loved mathematics and yearned to go to high school and college and become a teacher. All her goals are quashed when her beloved migrant-working father fails to return home to Oaxaca at the end of the planting season, and she has to work to help support the family. She desperately wants to go to el Norte to search for him, but can only wait and hope for his return. Finally, three years later, when she witnesses her mother’s new “husband” trying to rape her older sister, Alma knows she and Rose must leave home not only to find their father but to save their lives. Thus begins their harrowing journey north to the United States. Author Debra Thomas is unflinching as she recounts the sisters’ trip that is at once harrowing but also filled with lyrical moments of self-discovery, first love, and forgiveness. Luz is one of the most powerful and important books I’ve encountered in a long time and is a must read.
June 9, 2020
This is a sore subject for me because this is a story about a Mexican woman crossing into the United States written by a white author who will never understand what their struggles are truly like. The writing is phenomenal. It's richly vibrant. As a minority woman I just couldn't get into the story. Maybe others will think otherwise. Happy reading! #Luz #NetGalley
June 16, 2021
I've lived in California all my life and illegal immigrants from Mexico have been a part of it, from students of mine, to friends of my kids, to workers in stores. I've never had the opportunity to ask any of them about crossing the border. In Luz, Debra Thomas portrays the rich world of a Mexican family with all its love and drama. Teenaged sisters Alma and Rosa set off to cross the border to find their father. Although they receive generous loving help, they also experience fear and are attacked. For Alma to rise above that and make a life for herself shows an inner strength and resilience that I respect. Thomas's story is one of personal need, not politics, and her characters are compelling.
June 11, 2021
Things I liked:
Alma's math journal was a brilliant plot device that I would have liked to see more of. The plot kept me engaged and eager to see where Alma would end up and if she would find her father, sister, and boyfriend.
Things I didn't:
The pace was way too fast for me and I feel like the book could benefitted from slowing down and showing some more detail. It was a lot of narrative telling.
Alma's math journal was a brilliant plot device that I would have liked to see more of. The plot kept me engaged and eager to see where Alma would end up and if she would find her father, sister, and boyfriend.
Things I didn't:
The pace was way too fast for me and I feel like the book could benefitted from slowing down and showing some more detail. It was a lot of narrative telling.
May 22, 2020
A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is not my usual genre, I’m more into crime/thriller books and even psychological thrillers too so I am extremely pleased and grateful to them for opening up my mind to something totally different.
This is not my usual genre, I’m more into crime/thriller books and even psychological thrillers too so I am extremely pleased and grateful to them for opening up my mind to something totally different.
June 10, 2020
I read Luz in one setting. Today. I was totally taken by the protagonist--Alma--a young, brave, inexperienced girl on a quest from Oaxaca to Los Angeles search for her father. The losses she experiences, though horrible, horrible, are not described in a gratuitous way. But I believed in them. This is a novel clearly written out of love and empathy, and I was in it the whole distance.
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