A man and his children through a campsite of Mexican asylum seekers in Ciudad Juárez. A review in the New York Times helped accelerate criticism. Why is literary Twitter piling on Jeanine Cummins’ American Dirt, once one of the most highly anticipated books of the year? Others took issue with the large profit Cummins stands to make from the story, through the combination of a seven-figure advance, a film deal, and Oprah’s book club selection, which traditionally boosts sales. Latino critics say ``American Dirt″ contains stereotypes, incorrect regional slang, and cultural inaccuracies. Parul Sehgal wrote that “American Dirt” showed “a strange, excited fascination in commenting on … I wrestled like a beast with this review, the morals of my taking it on, my complicity in the white gaze.”. After receiving major backlash from the Latinx community and critics, the remainder of Jeanine Cummins' book tour for American Dirt has officially been canceled due to safety concerns. ": Judy Blume’s Charming, Stressful Tale of How She Got the COVID Vaccine, A film adaptation is already in the works. Yet, for all the negative criticism, “American Dirt” still appeared to be doing well in terms of sales. On one side are Mexican and Mexican American writers asking why Cummins felt the need to tell this story, other than to individuate a “faceless brown mass” that she’s not a part of—simultaneously raising the question of who exactly sees that mass as faceless and whether it’s worth writing for them. “American Dirt,” an Oprah’s Book Club pick released earlier this week and set to be adapted into a movie, describes the journey of Lydia Quixano and her son, Luca, as they flee drug traffickers and cross Mexico on La Bestia. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. “American Dirt” is a story about a Mexican migrant mother and her son written by a non-Mexican, non-migrant author. From the first sentence, I was IN. American Dirt follows the journey of a mother and son fleeing Mexico for America after their entire family is murdered on the orders of a local cartel kingpin. “She offered to reconsider if I changed my wording, if I wrote ‘something redeeming’.”, Gurba says the most frustrating part about the attention around American Dirt and the large advance Cummins received is the scant attention Chicano narratives, written by Chicano people, receive. In a profile in the Times touching on the controversy, she said, “I do think that the conversation about cultural appropriation is incredibly important, but I also think that there is a danger sometimes of going too far toward silencing people.”, The public debate began with a review of American Dirt by Myriam Gurba* published in Tropics of Meta, an academic blog that publishes essays on a broad range of topics. Groff seemed to agonize over the review in public, eventually tweeting, “I give up. Stephen King and Don Winslow provided glowing blurbs. “If you don’t know this culture (as I don’t), listen carefully to the people who do.”. “American Dirt,” published last week, is a fast-paced novel about a mother-and-son pair of migrants on the run from murderous drug lords. An uproar ensued. Gurba takes to task not only Cummins’ identity—she apparently identified as white as recently as four years ago, when she wrote in the New York Times that she wasn’t qualified to write about race—but also American Dirt’s similarity to other books about Mexico that Cummins used for research, as well as the novel’s ignorance of the very people the book purports to represent. Romance Writers of America, a trade association, faced criticism after reports revealed it had reprimanded Courtney Milan, a biracial Asian American author, for speaking out against racism. Commentary: Criticism of ‘American Dirt’ a familiar story. At first glance, the criticism of American Dirt reads as the increasingly pro forma conversation about who’s allowed to tell whose story. "In 17 years of journalism, in interviewing thousands of … Several publishers, including Harlequin, pulled out of RWA’s annual conference. pic.twitter.com/uonqIa3QRK. The publisher of the controversial novel American Dirt has canceled the remainder of the author's book tour as critics and many in the Latinx community criticize the book for its … Cummins, who as recently as 2016, self-identified as white and Latina (and has a Puerto Rican grandmother), probably hoped to get ahead of any questions raised about her writing and profiting off the Mexican migrant experience. All contents © 2021 The Slate Group LLC. On the other side is Cummins raising a familiar alarm on how conversations aro… Early reviews compared American Dirt to John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. You’ve run out of free articles. This makes a convincing case for why "American Dirt" is problematic--and backs it up with a lot of examples from the text itself. According to Publishers Weekly, the novel sold to Flatiron Books for a seven-figure advance. Please listen to us when we tell you, this book isn’t it.”. This whole American Dirt controversy has been awful.The harder people try to extricate themselves, the deeper they sink. Don Weisberg, the president of Macmillan, American Dirt’s parent publisher, and Amy Einhorn, Cummins’ editor, were sitting in the audience. And in October, Sarah Dessen and other women YA authors faced backlash for attacking a college girl who said she didn’t like Dessen’s books, calling the student’s opinion “anti-feminist”. Though Gurba’s review was published over a month ago, in the days before American Dirt hit the shelves it was shared again and again. https://t.co/HWY3lsGgvh, “This makes a convincing case for why ‘American Dirt’ is problematic – and backs it up with a lot of examples from the text itself,” Ng wrote. While her editor thought the review was “spectacular,” Gurba wrote, it was nonetheless killed because Gurba “lacked the fame to pen something so ‘negative.’ ”. But the pan with the biggest reach came this weekend when Parul Sehgal wrote for the New York Times’ daily Books of the Times section that “this peculiar book flounders and fails.” Two days later, the Times Book Review published Lauren Groff’s conflicted review, which makes the case that the novel “was written with good intentions, and like all deeply felt books, it calls its imagined ghosts into the reader’s real flesh.”, What’s literary drama without the Gray Lady? In her afterword Cummins describes a four-year writing process that included extensive travel and interviews in Mexico. Cummins writes of her desire to humanize “the faceless brown mass” that she believes is so many people’s perception of immigrants. A film adaptation is already in the works by the same company that produced Clint Eastwood’s The Mule. American Dirt comes at a time when many in the publishing industry have pushed for more books featuring underrepresented narratives and authors, a call popularized by the #OWNVoices movement on social media. On the other side is Cummins raising a familiar alarm on how conversations around cultural appropriation will eventually morph into censorship. Obviously I finished my review long before I knew of Parul’s—anyone who has gone through edits knows the editing timeline—but hers is better and smarter anyway. Soon after Groff’s review dropped, it was linked from the Book Review’s Twitter account with a line more complimentary than any that exists in the published review: “ ‘American Dirt’ is one of the most wrenching books I have read in the past few years, with the ferocity and political reach of the best of Theodore Dreiser’s novels.” Groff responded, “Please take this down and post my actual review.” (She added, “Fucking nightmare.”) The tweet, according to Groff and, later, New York Times Book Review editor Pamela Paul, had mistakenly been pulled from an earlier draft of the review—one that perhaps started out more positive about American Dirt than it ended up. “But then I thought, if you’re the person who has the capacity to be a bridge, why not be a bridge.” I’m sure you can see where this bridge is going. All of which makes Cummins’ fears—stated in the New York Times!—about being “silenced” seem a bit silly. Los Angeles Times writer Esmeralda Bermudez has been one of the most vocal critics of American Dirt. What People Are Saying About American Dirt This writer wrote a fake ass social justice book. I wished someone slightly browner than me would write it.”. She includes this author’s note at the beginning of American Dirt: “I was worried that, as a non-immigrant and non-Mexican, I had no business writing a book set almost entirely in Mexico, set entirely among immigrants. My next @oprahsbookclub selection is “American Dirt” by @jeaninecummins. Critics Of 'American Dirt' Confront Author And Oprah In TV Special. “The machine that is supporting this book is dystopian in nature. Photo illustration by Slate. Only Lydia and her eight-year-old survive. Roxane Gay expressed her disappointment on Twitter: “It’s frustrating to see a book like this elevated by Oprah because it legitimizes and normalizes flawed and patronizing and wrong-minded thinking about the border and those who cross it.”, Hello, fellow book lovers! Here’s what’s going on. Oprah chose it for her next Apple TV+ book-club entry. Critics of American Dirt, Oprah's latest book club pick, put novel on trial. If you don't know this culture (as I don't), listen carefully to the people who do. American Dirt’s backlash is the latest in a slew of contentious controversies and blunders in the publishing industry. Once upon a time, books frequently received reviews from both the daily Times and the Book Review, but that’s much rarer now. In addition to those reviews, the Times also published an excerpt for some reason. Correction, Jan. 21, 2020: This piece originally misspelled Myriam Gurba’s last name. Book Twitter was quick to allege hypocrisy among Dessen and her high-profile supporters. We watch Lydia’s entire family get killed, one by one. Cummins’ good intentions have largely been acknowledged, but as Rebecca Makkai wrote in LitHub last year—and linked to on Tuesday, “apropos of nothing”—“I [can’t] good-person myself into good writing.”. Let’s just hope Oprah doesn’t pick American Dirt for her book club or anything. American Dirt, the third novel by Jeanine Cummins, begins with a group of assassins opening fire on a quinceañera cookout. In her opening remarks, Winfrey defended her choice of “American Dirt,” saying the book had made her feel personally connected to the stories of immigrants. Comments. It has already sparked a maelstrom of criticism from many corners, including my own. American Dirt is a novel about a Mexican migrant mother and son written by a non-migrant, non-Mexican author. Oh, and the profile. I turned to them next. If you value our work, please disable your ad blocker. It’s in stores Tuesday, accompanied by praise from heavyweights like Stephen King, Sandra Cisneros, and Don Winslow—the last of whom compared the migrant drama novel to John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. Meanwhile, I have published three books through indie presses and have not made more than $5,000 on them. Writers like Jose Antonio Vargas and Viet Thanh Nguyen publicly called for Ms. to account for why they decided to kill the review. Hillel Italie. On one side are Mexican and Mexican American writers asking why Cummins felt the need to tell this story, other than to individuate a “faceless brown mass” that she’s not a part of—simultaneously raising the question of who exactly sees that mass as faceless and whether it’s worth writing for them. Jeanine Cummins, the author of American Dirt. The differences between Sehgal’s and Groff’s reviews were noted as soon as the latter published on Sunday. Der Vorwurf: Hier beute eine weiße Autorin das Leid der mexikanischen Flüchtlinge aus. Images by Joe Kennedy and Macmillan Publishers. "can't wait until February when a white woman's book of fiction that sounds very much like 'Excavation' is lauded," Ortiz tweeted earlier this year. Jeanine Cummins and Oprah Winfrey sit with critics to discuss the marginalization of Latinx voices. You can cancel anytime. A Deposit of Bones Originally Discovered by a Ranch Hand, Obama’s Inaugural Poet on Amanda Gorman, and the Voices America Needs to Hear, “What Do I Do? For the big-money book publicity machine to wield its influence on behalf of a novel about the Mexican immigrant experience written by a non-immigrant, non-Mexican author—when books by Mexican and Mexican American writers often struggle to see daylight—is another reminder of what the industry deems valuable. Some of it concerns the novel’s bad writing; others object to the fact that Cummins does not … The novel has been subject to criticism online, notably from author Wendy Ortiz, whose 2014 memoir "Excavation" had a similar plot to Russell's novel, only with a Latinx character at the heart of it. The scene is one of many depictions of graphic violence in American Dirt and it has sparked an intense conversation about “pity porn” and writing about the Mexican immigrant experience. Over the long weekend, the slowly brewing clash spilled onto the pages of the New York Times books section. Oprah Winfrey is breaking her silence on the controversy surrounding Jeanine Cummins’ new novel "American Dirt." Imperative Entertainment, the Hollywood studio behind the controversial Sierra Leone civil war drama Blood Diamond, even purchased film rights shortly before the book’s release. In response to criticism, Oprah has promised that her treatment of American Dirt will also involve a conversation about “who gets to publish what stories.” Oprah’s decision to … Slate relies on advertising to support our journalism. NPR's Rachel Martin talks to author Jeanine Cummins, who responds to criticism from Latino writers who say her new novel — American Dirt — is … By joining Slate Plus you support our work and get exclusive content. She acknowledged the criticisms and cancellation of the book tour. Don't read it because it a) the pinche book sucks and b) it will turn you stupid. The publisher cancelled book signings and now a book tour after criticism of the book. Authors she and others point to include Felicia Luna Lemus, Yxta Maya Murray, Reyna Grande, Helena Maria Viramontes and Raquel Gutierrez. “I wish someone slightly browner than me would write it,” she continues. Still, the conversation seems to have reached its peak and is calming down. Gurba says the note is more infuriating, than placating. All rights reserved. Despite getting Winfrey's endorsement as … Robert Seltzer Feb. 7, 2020 Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest. The book’s critics argue that Cummins exploits the suffering of Mexican immigrants and resorts to stereotypes. Jeanine Cummins’s “ripped from the headlines” migrant-crisis novel “American Dirt” is out now. “As a Mexican immigrant, who was undocumented, I can say with authority that this book is a harmful, stereotypical, damaging representation of our experiences. “In fact, she perceives her own country through the eyes of a pearl-clutching American tourist.”, Gurba also dropped that she was originally assigned to review American Dirt by “an editor at a feminist magazine”—later revealed to be Ms. In den USA wird über den Bestseller "American Dirt" von Jeanine Cummins diskutiert. American Dirt is a bad book, but not because of Jeanine Cummins’ background. “That Lydia is so shocked by her own country’s day-to-day realities […] gives the impression that Lydia might not be … a credible Mexican,” Gurba writes. But an increasingly vocal contingent of Mexican and Mexican American writers has panned the novel as “trauma porn,” pointing out myriad inconsistencies and errors in Cummins’ descriptions of Mexico that a largely American, non-Spanish-speaking industry of agents, editors, and publicists seemed to not have been able to notice. As of early on Thursday morning, the novel was listed at No. American Dirt is a 2020 novel by American author Jeanine Cummins, ... the controversy and carried on with her show by posting two one-hour Apple TV plus episodes that focused on American Dirt. American Dirt book. Gurba hopes the industry will reflect on this controversy: “I hope this makes people realize how conservative publishing really is.”, This article was amended to correct information about Courtney Milan’s background, Jeanine Cummins on her explosive new novel, American Dirt, A romance novelist spoke out about racism. Writers are finding themselves arguing with friends and heroes. Join Slate Plus to continue reading, and you’ll get unlimited access to all our work—and support Slate’s independent journalism. That gives you a sense of what value is being ascribed to authentic voices.”, Elsewhere, queer dating columnist John Paul Brammer, who self-identifies as Chicano, expressed a desire for media outlets to approach the controversy with greater nuance: “It’s weird to me that the dialogue around American Dirt is being reduced to “brown people mad because white person wrote book” when I see Latinx authors going out of their way to say, yes, anyone can write whatever they want, but there are problems with the content itself.”. Two days after criticisms went viral, Latinx figures Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez and Roma actress Yalitza Aparicio posted their admiration and support. The story centers on Mexican bookstore owner Lydia Quixano Pérez who flees to the U.S. with her son. Read 22,020 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. However, she felt moved by the book and decided, “If one author, one artist is silenced, we’re all in danger of the same. On January 21, Oprah announced her latest book club pick: American Dirt. Latino writers say Jeanine Cummins’ novel uses stereotypes and exploits the suffering of Mexican immigrants, Last modified on Wed 22 Jan 2020 21.24 GMT. In an effort to shine a light on authentic voices, Gurba began a Twitter thread calling for original stories by Mexican-American writers. Obviously I finished my review long before I knew of Parul’s—anyone who has gone through edits knows the editing timeline—but hers is better and smarter anyway. Mexican literary figures say their criticism of American Dirt has been silenced. I give up. ‘American Dirt’ critics are censoring the author based on her genetic background Jeanine Cummins, the author of “American Dirt,” at a book signing at … American Dirt’s backlash is the latest in a slew of contentious controversies and blunders in the publishing industry. On Wednesday, tone-deaf photos of an American Dirt-related dinner party, thrown by Cummins’ publisher, Flatiron Books, in May last year, surfaced online to reveal barbed wire in floral arrangements. And you'll never see this message again. Updated 11 months ago. Oprah Winfrey also selected the divisive novel as the latest pick for her book club. After an intense bidding war among nine houses that ended in a reported seven-figure deal, the novel landed on both the New York Times’ and LitHub’s 2020-in-reading lists. The author Celeste Ng tweeted a review that called Cummins’ depictions of Mexico “laughably inaccurate”. Why 'American Dirt' Sparked Major Criticism, Though Oprah Winfrey Raved About the Book By Distractify Staff. These days it happens only to the most newsworthy or most highly anticipated books—which often happen to be their publishers’ seasonal lead titles, the ones that get the biggest publicity budgets. “[The editor] wrote that though my takedown of Dirt was ‘spectacular’, I lacked the fame to pen something so ‘negative’,” Gurba writes in a personal essay. The writer Myriam Gurba alleges the feminist publication Ms Magazine commissioned and then killed her review of the novel, fearing pushback. There are ongoing debates about the ethics of writers penning the narratives of marginalized communities they do not belong to. The announcement was met with intense pushback and confusion. “I find it incredibly offensive that our very thoughtful critique about the book and about … At first glance, the criticism of American Dirtreads as the increasingly pro forma conversation about who’s allowed to tell whose story. But Latino literary figures say their opinions and criticism about American Dirt have been silenced and ignored. Julissa Arce Raya, author of My (Underground) American Dream, argued American Dirt was not representative of her experience as a undocumented immigrant in America. I wrestled like a beast with this review, the morals of my taking it on, my complicity in the white gaze. In the week since, the novel has garnered incredible amounts of tension and criticism, unveiling a real-life telenovela about the publishing industry. Before the slaughter, Lydia Quixano Pérez is a bookseller in Acapulco, mother to Luca and wife to journalist Sebastián. It is Sebastián’s exposé on the kingpin, who also happens to be a frequent customer of Lydia’s bookstore, that serves as the linchpin for the violence that sets off the novel and Lydia’s journey through the desert to the border. The pinche book sucks and b ) it will turn you stupid from many corners, including my.... 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