The Tortilla Curtain

The title of the book I have chosen is The Tortilla Curtain written by T.C. Boyle.  I first read this book in my English 110 class. Professor Jay Lewenstein teaches at Imperial Valley College in the English department, and assigned this book to us for the semester.  I would read this book everywhere I went: at school, at home, at work, and sometimes even when I was coaching my drill team. The book was about two immigrants trying to survive and find their way in the United States.  It was a daily life struggle for this couple because they would come across many obstacles that the everyday person wouldn’t have to go through.  On the other hand there is this typical American couple who lived the American dream, whose lives would cross paths frequently with the lives of the immigrants.  I remember it because of the author’s style of writing. He would write in english but would also include spanish for dramatic effect which was quite interesting.  It would bring the writing to life and would help grasp my attention. My favorite part of the book was towards the ending when one of the immigrants gave birth to her baby in a little shack.  Her husband, the other immigrant, helped her deliver the baby and let her rest after the delivery was over.  He then built a shack out of stolen pallets and stole food from a nearby garden in someone else’s yard.  In the book the immigrant states that he is no thief but when it came down to his wife and daughter he would do anything for them.  He then prayed and promised to god that he would return or repay everything that he has stolen to the rightful owner.  I would recommend this book to just about anyone because it opens your eyes to the everyday struggle of immigrants who are just trying to make a better living for not only themselves but also for their children or loved ones.