Listen free for 30 days

  • American Dirt (Oprah's Book Club)

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Jeanine Cummins
  • Narrated by: Yareli Arizmendi
  • Length: 16 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,714 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
American Dirt (Oprah's Book Club) cover art

American Dirt (Oprah's Book Club)

Written by: Jeanine Cummins
Narrated by: Yareli Arizmendi
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $32.04

Buy Now for $32.04

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

Number-One New York Times Best Seller

Oprah’s Book Club Pick

"Extraordinary." (Stephen King)

"This book is not simply the great American novel; it’s the great novel of las Americas. It’s the great world novel! This is the international story of our times. Masterful." (Sandra Cisneros)

También de este lado hay sueños. On this side, too, there are dreams.

Lydia Quixano Pérez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable.

Even though she knows they’ll never sell, Lydia stocks some of her all-time favorite books in her store. And then one day, a man enters the shop to browse and comes up to the register with a few books he would like to buy - two of them her favorites. Javier is erudite. He is charming. And, unbeknownst to Lydia, he is the jefe of the newest drug cartel that has gruesomely taken over the city. When Lydia’s husband’s tell-all profile of Javier is published, none of their lives will ever be the same.

Forced to flee, Lydia and eight-year-old Luca soon find themselves miles and worlds away from their comfortable middle-class existence. Instantly transformed into migrants, Lydia and Luca ride la bestia - trains that make their way north toward the United States, which is the only place Javier’s reach doesn’t extend. As they join the countless people trying to reach el norte, Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to?

American Dirt will leave listeners utterly changed. It is a literary achievement filled with poignancy, drama, and humanity. It is one of the most important books for our times.

Already being hailed as "a Grapes of Wrath for our times" and "a new American classic", Jeanine Cummins' American Dirt is a rare exploration into the inner hearts of people willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope.

"Narrator Yareli Arizmendi illuminates the humanity and individuality of Latin American migrants as they flee toward refuge in the North.... The account of Lydia and Luca's travails, including terrifying rides atop Mexico's freight trains, is utterly compelling. But it is Arizmendi's voicing of Lydia, so full of fierce tenderness, that will stay with listeners after the story's close." (AudioFile Magazine)

Amazon.com Best Books of the Year - 2020

Boston Globe Best Books of the Year - 2020

©2020 Jeanine Cummins (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

What the critics say

"I strive to write page-turners because I love to read them, and it’s been a long time since I turned pages as fast as I did with American Dirt. Its plot is tight, smart, and unpredictable. Its message is important and timely, but not political. Its characters are violent, compassionate, sadistic, fragile, and heroic. It is rich in authenticity. Its journey is a testament to the power of fear and hope and belief that there are more good people than bad." (John Grisham)

American Dirt just gutted me, and I didn’t just read this book—I inhabited it.... Everything about this book was so extraordinary. It’s suspenseful, the language is beautiful, and the story really opened my heart. I highly recommend it, and you will not want to put it down. It is just a magnificent novel.” (Oprah)

"American Dirt is both a moral compass and a riveting read. I couldn’t put it down. I’ll never stop thinking about it." (Ann Patchett, number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Dutch House and Commonwealth)

What listeners say about American Dirt (Oprah's Book Club)

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,098
  • 4 Stars
    459
  • 3 Stars
    113
  • 2 Stars
    29
  • 1 Stars
    15
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,960
  • 4 Stars
    292
  • 3 Stars
    54
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    12
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,786
  • 4 Stars
    387
  • 3 Stars
    110
  • 2 Stars
    25
  • 1 Stars
    16

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gut wrenching to listen to...

This story though beautifully written is not for the faint of heart. However no matter how hard the story was to listen to at times I couldn’t turn it off.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic! A must read for all to open your eyes and heart!

One of the best books I’ve read this year; heart wrenching yet hopeful! This story will educate your belief of immigrants and better your understanding. We may think we understand; but truly we do not. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart wider than ever before!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Unique Journey

loved the writing, descriptions, characters,the journey was the story. it uniquely wonderful. Could not stop listening to it. Spent hours listening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Didn't want this to end

Really enjoyed this story. Nicely written. Excellent prose and narration. I hope there is a following book. I would love to know how life continues for the main characters, and of the Coyote, and even Xavier!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping from the first page!

I loved so many things about this book. I’m so happy I chose this story to be my first audiobook! The narrator read it so well. The story was gripping. The characters were so well developed. I highly recommend this book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

couldn't stop listening

Narrator was fantastic. Fascinating listen. I was so ignorant to what is happening in other parts of the world. Couldn't stop listening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book

Captivating the whole way through!
Did not want it to end
A sad reality but uplifting storey
Want a Sequel!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

One of the most beautiful books I've listened to. I was absorbed by the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

BUY THIS BOOK!

I enjoy shows about cartels, not sure why as they scare me to death but I got this book and thought it might be interesting! I loved this book I mean it was horrifying and sad but also inspiring and triumphant at times. i would find myself thinking about the characters while at work or doing other things! Well written and kept you interested the entire way through. I yelled and pleaded at my car stereo many times, I was invested in the story and the characters -it is definitely a reality in our crazy world that the author brings to life. What a great book, can’t say enough buy the book !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating story about one woman's horror

In Mexico was turned around in an afternoon barbeque. The story is beautifully written through the heartache and victories!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!