Tue., May 23, 2017 at 7:00pm
Tue., May 23, 2017 at 12:00am
Salem Public Library
821 E. State St.
Salem, OH
Giving a personal touch to the subject of immigration is The Book of Unknown Americans written by Cristina Henriquez. This story will be the focus of discussion at the May 23, 2017 Book Discussion Group when they meet from 7 – 8pm. in the Quaker Room of Salem Public Library located at 821 E. State St., Salem, OH 44460. Join in the conversation and share your insights and perceptions.
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez follows the first person reminiscences from an array of characters from Latin American countries, all of whom talk directly about their reasons for coming to the United States. The story chronicles the lives of the two central characters: a beautiful Mexican teenager named Maribel Rivera and her admiring friend and neighbor, Mayor Toro. It is Maribel and Mayor’s love that supplies the emotionality of the story while the story of their families, the Rivera’s and the Toro’s, gives a sense of the magnetic allure of America, and the gaps many immigrants find here between expectations and reality. In slowly revealing the back stories behind the families the author gives us an intimate understanding of the sense of dislocation they experience almost daily and the homesickness they feel. Within the story we learn how the characters settle into the new country. The stories of Maribel and Mayor, the Rivera’s and the Toro’s and through testimonials for other immigrants to America we learn about star-crossed love, expectations, and adjustments in a country where Latino immigrants aren’t always made to feel welcome.
Book discussion titles are available for borrowing from the Adult Services Department of the library. Registration is not required to participate in this program that is open to the public and free of cost to attend. For more information contact the library at 330-332-0042.
