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The Iguana Tree
by
Michel Stone
Set amid the perils of illegal border crossings, The Iguana Tree is the suspenseful saga of Lilia and Hector, who separately make their way from Mexico into the United States, seeking work in the Carolinas and a home for their infant daughter. Michel Stone's harrowing novel meticulously examines the obstacles each faces in pursuing a new life: manipulation, rape, and murde...more
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
March 1st 2012
by Hub City Press
(first published February 27th 2012)
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The story could have been great, but the writing was not enough to engross me and I often relied solely on plot to get me through the novel. At the end I also didn't feel as satisfied as I'd like to have been, and I'm not saying this in a "I don't like endings that don't give complete closure" way but in the sense that the novel didn't intrigue me enough to have many questions at the end of the book other than "I wonder what happens to Alejandra." I'm sure many people feel differently, but I hat...more
In the interest of full disclosure, I want to begin by stating that I hold firm opinions pertaining to the impact that the millions of people who have entered the United States illegally are having - particularly as to how my hometown, Houston, is affected by the thousands of them who now call this city home. For that reason, I do not come into a book like Michel Stone’s The Iguana Tree with an entirely open mind. I admit that. I do, however, try to see both sides of the issue, so Stone’s novel...more
Coming to Southern Voices 2013
The family's story was definitely what carried this book. Showed that the author had certainly researched her story line. I definitely want to know what happened to (I guess this is a spoiler alert) that baby and would read a sequel just to find out. Although I can't help but predict it can't be good news.
The family's story was definitely what carried this book. Showed that the author had certainly researched her story line. I definitely want to know what happened to (I guess this is a spoiler alert) that baby and would read a sequel just to find out. Although I can't help but predict it can't be good news.
I’ve never read anything – fiction or otherwise – on the subject of illegal crossings from Mexico to the U.S., and Michel Stone’s take on the issue made me really think about the circumstances that would drive someone to undertake such a dangerous journey. The Iguana Tree is compellingly and beautifully written; I kept turning pages to find out what would happen to Hector and Lilia, terrified at their situation. I could not imagine handing off my child to a stranger, but also understood that Lil...more
I had a really tough time writing this review, and I can't exactly place my finger on why. I love novels that tackle tough, timely issues like immigration, so I was excited by Stone's story of a Mexican couple crossing the border and trying to make a home in South Carolina. While reading this book, I was appreciative that Stone didn't whitewash the experiences of Hector and Lilia, but at the same time, I felt some disconnect with their story.
I think, for me, this book didn't feel particularly nu...more
I think, for me, this book didn't feel particularly nu...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
There is no doubt that the immigrants coming from Mexico have a very hard time of it. So many people, from the coyotes to regular people take advantage of them and terrible things happen to them. This book is the story who come over from Mexico, the husband first and later the wife. Can't say I much cared for the husband, Hector, he seemed like the typical macho dreamer until the very end. I did like his wife and felt very bad for her and the things that happened to her. Don't know how I actuall...more
This book's message is big hearted and very humane. The tale presents a family of illegal immigrants who journey from Mexico into the United States, and it shows the hardships and tragedies that they endure. The story feels as if it could be true, which is a credit to Ms. Stone's ability as a writer. The sad events that the characters experience are elevated by the beautiful prose and the pitch perfect pacing of the story. I highly recommend this book because it is true, and because it poses all...more
The Short of It:
The Iguana Tree is written with compassion, yet provides only a brief glimpse into the lives of undocumented workers.
The Rest of It:
Hector, Lilia and their newborn daughter live in Puerto Isadore and dream of a life in America. As the novel opens, Hector has paid someone to take him across the border. The plan, once there, is to find a job, save money and send for Lilia and the baby as soon as possible. Lilia, impatient to be with her husband, finds passage herself and what follo...more
The Iguana Tree is written with compassion, yet provides only a brief glimpse into the lives of undocumented workers.
The Rest of It:
Hector, Lilia and their newborn daughter live in Puerto Isadore and dream of a life in America. As the novel opens, Hector has paid someone to take him across the border. The plan, once there, is to find a job, save money and send for Lilia and the baby as soon as possible. Lilia, impatient to be with her husband, finds passage herself and what follo...more
The author has a pretty obvious agenda which is to humanize the story of illegal immigration. she does that quite admirably. The characters come alive nicely. The story is presented with nuance and it has a decent ending. One quibble--when dialogue is presented that is supposed to be in Spanish, it it seems stilted. By contrast, when English-speaking characters talk, or the Mexican characters attempt to speak English, the dialogue is fresh and funny. I think the writer could have done the same t...more
This is a fascinating glimpse into the world of illegal immigrants in the southeastern United States. (How has a novel like this surfaced before?!) It's a quick read that humanizes the political immigration debate--great for folks who want a better understanding of what it's like to live under the radar. Some events in the plot are tough to read and may not be suitable for young readers, but I think that's what make this book so honest.
An odd book. It started off well; I felt a mix of suspense and hope about the characters' prospects. But before too long, the plot took a dive off a cliff and never recovered, while Hector and Lilia began to seem rather passive and flat. There were also some strange insinuations that seemed uncontested, namely that Lilia should have better obeyed her husband and that the characters' downfalls were the fault of their own bad choices rather than certain international political and economic factors...more
I enjoyed the story that was told in this book, if enjoyed can be used to describe a situation that is so heartbreaking as the one told here. However, I did sometimes have trouble with the writing, particularly the dialogue, which did not ring true to me. I tried to look past this, because the story is an interesting one, but I was very often distracted by dialogue that felt stilted or was used to provide information or forward the story in ways that felt unnatural. At times, the story also felt...more
A fast read, but good character developement.
Once again, putting a face on migrants in the USA. Very scarey, very sad but very real.
Highly recommend!
Liked it better than Into the Beautiful North. Had some humor, but seemed more real.
Not sure Lucas was believable. Maybe harder to find compassionate people in real life.
Once again, putting a face on migrants in the USA. Very scarey, very sad but very real.
Highly recommend!
Liked it better than Into the Beautiful North. Had some humor, but seemed more real.
Not sure Lucas was believable. Maybe harder to find compassionate people in real life.
The Iguana Tree is a riveting , sad story of illegal immigration. Michel Stone does a very good job of telling this through the eyes of a couple and the realities of the horror as well as the hopes of their entering the U.S. across the Mexican border illegally. This was a painful and very sad read.
Complicated issue, one-dimensional characters, sad story. The writing seemed aimed at a youth audience or an audience not comfortable with English. The author could have made this a happy book, but wisely chose not to. The same story, written as non-fiction by a journalist, would have been compelling.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Definitely an eye opener. Personalized the immigration debate. Did not like the ending, but leaving the story as it is makes the story very powerful because it is not neatly tied up. It has stayed in my thoughts long after I finished it.
One star for interesting subject, another because I got to meet the author and hear her description of why and how she wrote itt. I admire her for tackling it and getting it published, and she is a lovely person. Beyond that, I had a difficult time with the writing - lots of telling, not enough showing when it comes to the characters, who are, after all, the heart of the story. I found myself picturing the story as a well illustrated graphic novel with dialogue bubbles.
A tender and troubling look at the topic of immigration, not as an issue but as a story. Our city has chosen it as its One Book One Community read for 2013.
Quick read (one sitting!). Enjoyed this first time author. No fairy tale ending but interesting insight into Mexican immigration to US.
Was captivating and definitely a page turner. Was a good feeling for what happens from the other side of the border.
I learned a great deal about the lives and heart break of illegals in our country.
This is a beautifully written book by a talented author from my hometown.
Intense, thought-provoking,and heartbreaking.
I hope there is a sequel.
Good new author.
3.5 really
The ending was unexpected, but very real.
I did not enjoy this book.
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