Crossing the Wire, by Will Hobbs
Much to my surprise, I highly recommend this book. This book addresses the controversial topic of US border control. Though I consider myself to be an ultra-conservative highly in favor of strict border control, I connected extremely deeply with the main character in this story. Victor, a 15 year man living in small Mexican village carries the sole responsibility of providing for his mother, and 5 siblings after the death of their father. When the Mexican corn farming industry plummets due to free market trade with the United States, Victor is forced to seek work in El Norte (the United States) in order to keep his family alive. This chilling and suspenseful tales takes the reader through Victor's horrific journey on a quest to save his family. In spite of my political views, I found myself cheering Victor on throughout the course of the book. Throughout the book, I was sure that the story was set in a time distant from our current year, due to the brutality faced at the hand of Mexican and United States border control. I was shocked to find that the story was actually set based on modern day reality. Don’t mistake my words, I am extremely proud to be an American and have many concerns with supporting illegal immigrants with my hard earned paycheck through schooling and medical benefits. However, I was reminded of the fact that before I am an American, I am a lover of people....all people created by my good Lord. I do not believe open borders are the answer but, I am open to exploring alternatives to fierce brutality against a 15 year man trying to save his family. I am blessed to live in this great country of opportunity and can't imagine how different my life would be if I had been dealt a different hand. Friends, the world is so much bigger than we could ever imagine. Once again, my confident views about how the world works, or should work, have been replaced with a dissonance. How can we make this better?
Much to my surprise, I highly recommend this book. This book addresses the controversial topic of US border control. Though I consider myself to be an ultra-conservative highly in favor of strict border control, I connected extremely deeply with the main character in this story. Victor, a 15 year man living in small Mexican village carries the sole responsibility of providing for his mother, and 5 siblings after the death of their father. When the Mexican corn farming industry plummets due to free market trade with the United States, Victor is forced to seek work in El Norte (the United States) in order to keep his family alive. This chilling and suspenseful tales takes the reader through Victor's horrific journey on a quest to save his family. In spite of my political views, I found myself cheering Victor on throughout the course of the book. Throughout the book, I was sure that the story was set in a time distant from our current year, due to the brutality faced at the hand of Mexican and United States border control. I was shocked to find that the story was actually set based on modern day reality. Don’t mistake my words, I am extremely proud to be an American and have many concerns with supporting illegal immigrants with my hard earned paycheck through schooling and medical benefits. However, I was reminded of the fact that before I am an American, I am a lover of people....all people created by my good Lord. I do not believe open borders are the answer but, I am open to exploring alternatives to fierce brutality against a 15 year man trying to save his family. I am blessed to live in this great country of opportunity and can't imagine how different my life would be if I had been dealt a different hand. Friends, the world is so much bigger than we could ever imagine. Once again, my confident views about how the world works, or should work, have been replaced with a dissonance. How can we make this better?
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