The Other Americans

I must begin this post by stating how grateful I am to my local library for their gradual reopening process; thanks to their efforts, I am finally able to restart my literary journey around the world!

Off to Morocco

When Driss Guerraoui, a Moroccan immigrant living in California, is killed in a hit-and-run, the lives of those around him are forever altered. His youngest daughter, Nora, is determined to prove that her father's death was no accident, but the more she tries to learn about his death, the more she unwillingly discovers about his life. The Other Americans by Laila Lalami is "at once a family saga, a murder mystery, and a love story, informed by the treacherous fault lines of American culture."

I had my doubts about this novel, mainly because it is a mix of genres that I wasn't sure could mix, but needless were my doubts; Lalami masterfully weaved these genres together to tell a beautiful story about the complexity of present-day America. The writing was beautiful, the story captivating, and it was told from the perspective of a wide array of characters, including Driss, which made my feelings about the story far more complex.

No heroes in this one...

One thing I absolutely adored about this novel was how complex each of the characters were. Lalami was definitely not afraid to show her readers the good and the bad, nor was she afraid to illustrate the systemic racism in America to this day. (She is also a professor of creative writing, and everything I want to be when I grow up). This book is a finalist for the National Book Award, and it is not one to miss. Definitely 4.5/5 stars from me!

As always, please comment below, email me (theopinionatedbookworm@gmail.com) or follow me on Instagram (@theopinionatedbookworm1) to share your thoughts or recommendations.

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