Book Snails Book Group discussion

Pien and I are back with another buddy read, but we're giving more notice this time. ;-)

Join us in November as we read Solito by Javier Zamora with a Goodreads rating of 4.48


Trip. My parents started using that word about a year ago—“one day, you’ll take a trip to be with us. Like an adventure.”

Javier Zamora’s adventure is a three-thousand-mile journey from his small town in El Salvador, through Guatemala and Mexico, and across the U.S. border. He will leave behind his beloved aunt and grandparents to reunite with a mother who left four years ago and a father he barely remembers. Traveling alone amid a group of strangers and a “coyote” hired to lead them to safety, Javier expects his trip to last two short weeks.

At nine years old, all Javier can imagine is rushing into his parents’ arms, snuggling in bed between them, and living under the same roof again. He cannot foresee the perilous boat trips, relentless desert treks, pointed guns, arrests and deceptions that await him; nor can he know that those two weeks will expand into two life-altering months alongside fellow migrants who will come to encircle him like an unexpected family.

A memoir as gripping as it is moving, Solito provides an immediate and intimate account not only of a treacherous and near-impossible journey, but also of the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments. Solito is Javier Zamora’s story, but it’s also the story of millions of others who had no choice but to leave home.


Reading Breakdown:
11/2-11/8: Chapters 1-3 (Approx. 104 pages)
11/9-11/15: Chapters 4-6 (Approx. 94 pages)
11/16-11/22: Chapter 7 (Approx. 81 pages)
11/23-11/29: Finish (Approx. 101 pages)

*Page count may vary depending upon book edition

Looking forward to it!! Would anyone like to join us?

I've finished chapter 1 and I'm quite enjoying it so far! The language can be a bit tricky, but I’m reading the ebook, so it’s super easy to highlight and translate as I go. I know some Spanish—I took classes for three years (I really should know it better than I do)—so much of what I look up is curses and little insults like “tontito,” which I saw translated as “fool.” The translations usually make me laugh. I'm also amused by all the references to "La USA" and American pop culture.

I’m feeling especially connected to the story because Javier is about the same age as my son, who just turned 10. In fact, I’m a little worried that the more harrowing parts of the journey, hinted at in the book summary, might be hard for me to read for that reason. I can’t imagine sending my own child on a journey like that with strangers.

Are you reading this in English or Dutch, Pien? I’m curious how it’s going for you.

Hi, I just finished chapter three so I’m ‘done’ for this week, but can’t wait to carry on. I’m reading in Dutch and in this edition the Spanish is also not translated. I’m not actively translating it, but I do get what they say with the little Spanish I know, or maybe I’m super wrong! 😁
The first chapter was quite slow, I thought. So it’s interesting to hear you immediately liked it. But perhaps it is closer to your life with your ten year old son indeed. I can imagine it will be hard to read when things get hard for Javier. In ch two and three I really started to like the boy and I’m very involved in his story now. I too can’t imagine to let a boy go like that.
Don’t read spoiler until you’ve finished 2 and 3!
What I liked most was (view spoiler)[ the relationship that grew between the granddad and Javier. How they suddenly talked about everything, how granddad supported him, stayed close when he would go to the toilet… It was very touching.
What was so recognisable was that granddad trusts Marcelo, only because he’s from the same town. It’s always like that isn’t it? He must be like us if he lives close. Which makes things extra difficult for Javier because the guy ignores hem fully.
But, he helps him out of the boat so maybe he’s starting to grow on Marcelo now?
I was holding my breath with them crossing the sea, and I wish everything will go easily from now on, but it’s a lot of pages for an easy travel… (hide spoiler)]
Anyway, I very much enjoy the read now!

I'm so glad you're liking it, Pien! It may have grabbed me a little earlier because I live in La USA, and it was interesting to see how my country is viewed through the eyes of outsiders.

I just finished chapter two. I’m a little over-extended with my checkouts right now and a couple of them can't be renewed, so I’m doing my best to keep up but might fall a bit behind.

It was so strange reading about Javier’s childhood. His innocence and naiveté, using an outhouse and being scared of the toilet. He’s only six years younger than I am, but it feels like he grew up in a completely different era. Really it’s just a different place, but it’s such a stark contrast.

I'm definitely eager to continue and hoping I'll be able to spend some quality time with my books this weekend!

La USA is funny isn’t it? And it must be fun to read about your country from others’ eyes, I can imagine.
I wonder how it will be like for him to start living in La USA himself, it must be quite a shock.
Don’t worry about falling behind, I’ll use the ‘spoilermode’ if I’m faster at first, and you enjoy the other more urgent books first!

I managed to complete the reading for Week 1 last night!

It was certainly sweet to see (view spoiler)[Javier’s relationship with his grandfather grow. How sad that it happened just as Javier was leaving... I definitely felt sick to my stomach at times reading about their time on the boat. The turbulence, the vomit, the stench of gasoline, the cigarette smoke… it all sounded truly horrific. And did you read the dedication at the beginning of the book? Javier mentions Patricia, Carla, and Chino by name, but not Marcelo, so I’m guessing Marcelo never fills the role his grandfather expected. (hide spoiler)]

On to Week 2!

Oh wow, I read the dedication but then, the names didn’t say anything yet. You’re right!

Finished this weeks’ part. (view spoiler)[ I’ve been so scared for Javier! The part where they are kicked out of the bus because Patricia can’t hold in her anger towards that old woman. And then the bus driving away without them. Unbelievable, how lost they must have felt (besides a little relieved they are letting them go after paying). And if I understood it right, those guys from the army didn’t even mean to take people out, they just wanted to blackmail them for money…
Such a young boy going through all of this. I’m so happy he has Patricia and Carla.
I do understand how Patricia lashes out like that, given the severe strain they are in right then. But if only she would have kept silent… I don’t have much to say about the rest of these chapters, it’s just really tough for him, sometimes boring, sometimes very scary. Poor guy. (hide spoiler)]
I can’t wait to continue! How do you feel about the book?

I still need to read chapter 6, so I won’t read your spoiler just yet.


Chapter 5 felt somewhat uneventful. While it was fortunately not particularly harrowing or frightening for Javier, I felt it was also not especially engaging for the reader.

I couldn’t believe (view spoiler)[they didn’t all shower immediately after arriving at the hotel in Acapulco. I would have expected it to be the first thing they did since they had only been given three minutes for their previous shower. (hide spoiler)]

But I laughed out loud when Javier mentioned (view spoiler)[watching Blue’s Clues! Have you ever seen it? It’s a show for preschoolers! (hide spoiler)]

I'm happy you're so captivated, Pien. I must confess that, while reading on my phone makes translations easy, the frequency is starting to wear on me. I'm finding that I have to establish the right mindset before settling in to read this one.

Finished the Week 2 reading!

I was definitely surprised when (view spoiler)[Patricia lashed out and got them kicked off the bus. You’d think a grown woman would have more sense than that and know to stay quiet, keep her head down, and draw as little attention to herself as possible. (hide spoiler)]

I’m also a little surprised that they’ve reached the border with half the book to go. I hope there will be fewer translations now that they’re entering La USA!

Why don’t you just skip translating? The things I translated were mostly swearing, so I try to understand some words but if I don’t, I just read on. I can imagine it’s quite an extra ‘workout’ if you translate it all!
I think in America they (view spoiler)[ aren’t save either until they have found their loved ones or find themselves a place to stay and a way to earn money. They are as illegal there as they were in Mexico.
Javiers parents sound very settled down, so I hope he can reach out for them to pick him up soon. But they too can still be staying there illegally I think? (hide spoiler)]
Well, let’s read on and find out :)

Unfortunately, I can’t bring myself to skip the translations. I’m too curious and always wonder what I might be missing. But I’m also learning from them. For example, I only knew that “huevos” translates to “eggs,” though that wasn’t making sense in context. So I dug deeper using Google and learned that “huevos” can also mean “testicles,” or more colloquially, “balls,” so the expression “con huevos” refers to having "balls," or having courage. (Is having “balls” an expression in the Netherlands?)

Anyway, you’re right that they (view spoiler)[aren’t truly safe even after crossing into La USA. In fact, they never really will be, as we see with Marcelo—he lived there for a while but ended up being caught and deported. I’d wager that Javier’s parents are still there illegally, (hide spoiler)] but yes, we’ll find out soon enough.

I finished the Week 3 reading ahead of schedule this time!

I can’t imagine doing all that walking. But it’s even clearer now (view spoiler)[why Marcelo was left out of the dedication. And how did Chino manage to throw Javier over the fence? (hide spoiler)]I can’t picture that.

Immigration is such a hot topic here. Have you seen anything about what’s happening in the US, Pien, particularly regarding the detainment centers? I won’t get into it here, since it’s a topic that can get heated (in case anyone else joins our discussion), but I’m curious: does the Netherlands deal with illegal immigration as well?

It also makes sense now (view spoiler)[how they reached La USA only halfway through the book… they get caught, deported, and have to try again. (hide spoiler)]

I feel so bad for Javier, not really understanding what’s happening, but I’m glad he has Patricia, Carla, and Chino looking out for him.

Oh my, so much (view spoiler)[ walking, traveling and stressing and when they think they're save, boom. La migra!
I felt so awful for them. But Chino, coming back for them when he could maybe have saved himself, what a hero. my heart grew a little when I read that. And later, when they promise to stay together and keep waiting for Chino to come through the gate, they are so loyal in such insecure situations!
Marcelo, stealing Chele's stuff and running was unbelievable. So he faked that ankle? I don't understand that part, to be honest. But it's quite stupid too, isn't it? He doesn't know where to go, and can get lost so easily, I'd say? (hide spoiler)]
By the way, I felt very sorry for advising not to translate anymore, there was so much Spanish in this part and it was relevant too! I'll shut my mouth next time ;)
Having balls is a Dutch expression as well, I thought in Spanish they say 'cohones' but it's con huevos. Learning every day.
I hope things will get (view spoiler)[ easier this time for The Four they are now. That father next to them in the 'albergue' has tried so many times and is still not in. (hide spoiler)]
Well we will see. Last part!

Oh and yes, illegal immigration is a big thing here as well. Especially now there's a shortage of housing. So (for many people) all the blame goes to immigrants, where the biggest issue lies with people coming to the Netherlands invited by us to work here. But as you mentioned, here too it's quite a sensitive discussion.

It is touching how (view spoiler)[their “fake” family has genuinely bonded and seems to have become a true surrogate family. It was certainly distressing when they were separated from Chino, but so heartwarming that they waited for him. (hide spoiler)]

Marcelo (view spoiler)[faking the ankle injury was strange. Maybe he was trying to throw people off, so if anyone saw him drifting from the group, they might assume he wasn’t going far because of his ankle and wouldn’t sound an alarm? I’m not sure. But honestly, I think he might actually have a better shot on his own. A single person attracts less attention than a big group, and it’s easier to lay low that way. I wonder if we will learn what happens to him. Probably not, since this isn’t fiction with an omniscient narrator. (hide spoiler)]

Something else I find interesting about the language is the mix of dialects. It’s all “Spanish,” but they keep mentioning how they have to adjust their speech depending on where they’re claiming to be from. And when I look up translations, a lot of words are marked as slang from different Hispanic countries. I guess it’s a lot like what we have here in America. In the South, we say “y’all,” instead of “you all,” but in parts of the Midwest they say “yinz.” And then there’s soda/pop/coke—some people say soda, some say pop, and some call everything coke (which I’ve never understood... I’m a soda girl).

Are there different dialects in Dutch?

And how interesting that you get immigrants in the Netherlands too! Are many of them Hispanic, like Javier, or is another nationality more common?

I have finished the book, wow…
I was so shocked, reading about their (view spoiler)[ second attempt. I know so many things went wrong, but still, why would they (the polleros) choose such a long distance to cross? Even without Coco Liso getting hurt, would they have ever made it as a group? How they kept losing people, and Javier seems just not to think too much of it because that would be too horrible. And the end of that trip, hardly making it and then that house owner where they drink water calling them in. He must have realised how broken these four were, but he just doesn’t care.
It’s lucky the ‘la migra’ guard is kinder to them, but they are still back where they started.
After all this, I found it hard to concentrate on another try to cross the border. I was so relieved when he was picked up by his parents!
And I got emotional about him realising that his temporary family will leave him, he never thought of that!
I do understand that he didn’t feel like meeting them again because of the painful memories.
I would have liked to read about him settling in La USA, maybe he’s written another book about that. (hide spoiler)]
I thought the book was very well written, and it was so educational to learn about what an immigrant might have to go through to get to a country that may offer them a better life.
It’s beautiful how people who don’t know each other take care of each other, a young boy on his own could be seen as a burden but these people take care of him as if he was their own son.
Now I have to decide how many stars… I think it will be four. What about you, Erin?

We do have dialects in the Netherlands, even though it’s such a small country. I never realised America has dialects with different words that have the same meaning. But of course that’s quite logical for such a big country. Pop! Learned something new here :)
In the Netherlands it’s more a difference in pronunciation, but some words do differ as well.
The immigrants that travel to my country are from a lot of places, but right now it’s mostly people from Ukrain and Syria.

Well, I love to hear how you feel about the book, once you’ve finished it!

I’ve only just finished Chapter 8, so I still have Chapter 9 and the epilogue to go. I will, again, hold off on reading your spoiler for now.

This chapter was a bit of a slog to get through. I thought they (view spoiler)[did a lot of walking last time, but wow! This one had SO. MUCH. WALKING! Though it wasn't particularly captivating to read about, I suppose it was necessary to show just how much they endured on this second attempt. So much walking, getting lost, barely any sleep or water or food. It was so grueling, it’s a wonder they survived at all. (hide spoiler)]

And now (view spoiler)[they’re back in Mexico again!! Thankfully Mr. Gonzalez let them return without being processed, which would have landed them in even bigger trouble than the first time. (hide spoiler)]

I’m sad Javier (view spoiler)[gave up on the cadejo. It shows he’s losing hope. (hide spoiler)]

Though I’m not finished yet, I agree that this has been an eye-opening experience—learning what it really entails to immigrate illegally, picking up bits of various Hispanic dialects along the way, and even learning more about the Netherlands through questions I never would have thought to ask otherwise.

Final thoughts to come in a few days after I finish the reading!

Wow, that short epigraph packed an emotional punch!

I was quite surprised to learn that (view spoiler)[Marcelo did make it back to LA… (hide spoiler)] But I wasn’t at all surprised that (view spoiler)[Javier needed immense support from his therapist to get through the writing process for this book. And it’s so sad that he lost touch with Chino, Patricia, and Carla and hoped to reconnect with them through his writing. (hide spoiler)]

I don’t think (view spoiler)[the long route of the second attempt was intentional. I think the polleros truly got lost, which made it all the more surprising how quickly and smoothly their third attempt went. And yes, I too felt relieved when he was finally reunited with his parents. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, I gave the book 4 stars. The frequent translations were a hindrance and kept me from fully immersing myself in the story. I wish there had been fewer instances of Spanish, or that a glossary or end-of-chapter footnotes had been provided to help with the translations. But it was, overall, a very enlightening read.

Yes, translation in footnotes would have been nice, you’re absolutely right about that!
Well, that was again a very nice buddy read, Erin! Thanks for choosing this book, otherwise I don’t think I would have read it.