The Way that Leads Among the Lost was a really interesting insight into drug addiction and how it is treated in Mexico. The writing was clear but never boring. There was compassion as well.

Angela Garcia is an anthropologist who deep dives into the world of Mexico City’s anexos: subdivisions where families send their loved ones to treat addiction and mental health disorders, or to avoid the crime and gangs that plague Mexico. She seeks to understand and shed light on why these anexos exist, what compels families (primarily mothers) to send their loved ones away, and how anexos speak to a larger problem in Mexico and the US.

This is an informative and interesting read. Garcia’s writing style is conversational which makes the topic easier to follow. At times she gets too conversational by weaving in her life story, which I did not feel fit with the overall point of the book. I would have rated this a 4 otherwise because I learned a ton and appreciated how accessible the book was despite being such a relatively unknown topic. Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Angela Garcia for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Super thankful I got to listen to this audiobook before it was published. This hits close to home for me. My family is from the areas this book is based on in Mexico City and I have cousins who have gone into these Anexos. This is a real topic and a sad one. It is something that really affects family. As someone who was born and raised in the states I can see how this can be unimaginable but it is real life in Mexico City. This is such a heavy book emotionally but I think it is a must read. Really liked how the author also included her personal struggles along the way. I am buying this for my collections when it is published.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio.

This was a very interesting read. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The narrator did great.

Wrestling with ethics and morals is totally my cup of tea, but boy did Angela Garcia catch me off guard on this one (in the best way).

Think Troubled Teen Industry meets poverty and struggle in Mexico City (and beyond). Think "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" where their best is closer to what you'd consider your worst.

I finished this in less than a day dispite it's length (over 200 pages loses my ADHD brain's attention if I'm not completely sucked in). Thanks to Angela Garcia I've discovered more compassion for those in recovery, more determination to help my community, a deeper appreciation for my family and support systems to hold me up along the way.

A perfect blend of research, experience devoid of emotion, and memior filled with enough feeling to bring tears. This is a one-of-a-kind book I could see blowing up; I'm very excited for the author, publisher, & narrorator.

(Thank you bunches to NetGalley & publisher Macmillan Audio for the ARC Audiobook in exchange for my honest review!)

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook!

I had never heard of anexos before listening to this book. The concept is fascinating and raises many questions:

How far would you go to protect a loved one?
Is it possible we need to be protected from ourselves more than anything/anyone else?
Do anexos help or hurt or both?
What will desperation cause us to do that we never thought we could?

The narrarator did an excellent job on this audiobook, and I'm so glad I listened as opposed to reading. I think hearing the Spanish words pronounced was extremely helpful.