'Infinite Country' by Patricia Engel is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that explores the profound impact of borders and boundaries on a family torn apart by immigration and deportation. Through lyrical prose and a multi-generational narrative, Engel paints a vivid portrait of the complexities of identity, love, and longing in a world filled with divisions.

The novel primarily revolves around the Rivera family, specifically Talia, a teenage girl trapped in a detention center in the United States, and her parents, Mauro and Elena, who are living in Colombia after being deported. The story weaves between their past and present, shedding light on their individual journeys and the consequences of their life-altering decisions.

Engel's storytelling is both poetic and evocative, offering a profound exploration of the immigrant experience and the relentless yearning for unity. Her characters are deeply human and relatable, each grappling with the stark realities of displacement and loss. Talia, in particular, stands out as a resilient and determined protagonist whose unwavering spirit shines through the darkest moments.

The novel delves into the intricacies of familial bonds and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of a better life. It captures the essence of "home" in a world that too often treats immigrants as mere statistics or threats. Engel portrays the harsh and often heartbreaking experiences faced by immigrants with empathy and nuance, which makes the reader connect with the characters on a profound level.

The narrative structure is fragmented, moving back and forth between past and present, which might be disorienting for some readers. However, this choice effectively mirrors the disjointed lives of the Rivera family and underscores the theme of fractured identities. The prose is rich, and the descriptions are vivid, painting a powerful picture of Colombia and the United States.

While 'Infinite Country' is a poignant and beautifully written novel, it may not offer a neat, satisfying resolution to all the narrative threads. Some readers may yearn for a more conclusive ending, but the open-ended nature of the story reflects the harsh realities of life for countless immigrant families.

In conclusion, 'Infinite Country' by Patricia Engel is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that provides a glimpse into the lives of those who navigate the complexities of borders and boundaries. It's a story of love, resilience, and the universal human desire for a place to call home. Engel's elegant prose and vivid characters make this novel a compelling and unforgettable read for those interested in immigration, identity, and the power of family bonds.

Elena and Mauro are teenagers when they meet, their blooming love an antidote to the mounting brutality of life in Bogotá. Once their first daughter is born, and facing grim economic prospects, they set their sights on the United States.

Infinite Country explores beautifully how families are torn apart by arbitrary drawn lines in the sand; how boarders and immigration status

At first we only follow three characters - the parents Elena and Mauro and their youngest daughter - but bit by bit chapters are mixed in about other characters in the book, so that by the end of the novel we have a good understanding about everyone's perspective, hopes, and dreams.

While it's nice to get to meet all the characters in that way, it feels a bit jumpy at times, which would be my only criticism here :)

Definitely check out trigger warnings before, because there are many.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. This is a fast paced book. I enjoyed this book it has some Hispanic language. This book is in stores for $25.00 (USD).

I mean, it's Patricia Engel. She's an incredibly popular author, and for good reason, and this book is especially important as Engel herself is a dual citizen and the daughter of Colombian immigrants. In this book, she takes on the plight of a Colombian couple who decide to set off for the United States to avoid the violence of Bogota. They receive tourist visas, but as the time comes to go back, they decide to stay and hope for the best, continuing to move around to avoid deportation. Unfortunately, Mauro, the husband, is deported, and Elena, his wife, now has to care for her three children. While I think it is always important to learn about the plight of immigrants (especially people who seem to think the best route is just to kick them out the country), this felt like a much fluffier, Disney point of view than some of the grittier realities that I've read.

What the heck!? You can’t be serious? I cringed a few times as I read this book, for the main characters were walking blindly. They lived in fear, they were risking their own lives and the lives of their own children as they dodged not being caught and deported. Sometimes I wondered if they even knew what complications lied ahead or if the thought of moving backwards was not option so they didn’t consider it. I was hoping for the best and I feared the worse was headed their way. When would it ever end?

It was sweet when they fell in love and had their first child but when they decided to flee Columbia, the choices that had to be made and their actions totally changed the tone of the book. They were headed to America, where a better life awaited them, didn’t it? Entering America, they were beginning their new lives as illegal immigrants, earning money under the table, and “just surviving.” When the couple started having more children, I was getting nervous. More mouths, more responsibilities and additional individuals to hide. The status of their children was now mixed and I wondered, how would that play out when it was time to go back to Columbia.

With the return date on their Visa’s coming up, the thought of returning home doesn’t sound like something they’re ready for. Do they really have a choice? This was an eye-opening book, as the family makes some difficult decisions which places additional burdens on them. This book covers a lot of hard topics including racism, alcohol, some sexual assault and animal abuse (small section). It was definitely a book that got me thinking, a book that I’m glad that I read. I received a copy of this book over a year ago from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful book. This has been recommended to me over and over and I can't stop thinking about this story. I loved the author's writing so much that I want to read Engel's previous works.

Such a hard read but so real. The struggles and the decisions this family has to make just to continue to survive. There are some parts that were hard to read but at the end of the day I really enjoyed this read.

4.5/5 stars

Infinite Country is a moving story about the immigrant experience and the trials and fears that undocumented families go through. Immigration is something most people experience only through a very distant lens and this novel allows for a much more personal and touching insight into the often heartbreaking reality. It’s beautifully written and I really enjoyed the way the timeline shifted back and forth, though at times it made it difficult to identify the narrator.

This is a quick read, but no less impactful for its short length, and I’m very much looking forward to reading more by Patricia Engel.

Thank you to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A good read about immigrants coming from Columbia and the hardships faced along the way. It doesn't take long to read, and certainly could be expanded upon. Many are giving trigger warning for assault, but I found it completely readable. Definitely worth the read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for a review.

Did not get to this book in 2021.
My review is not a reflection of the work or the writing/plot itself, but rather speaks to other books that caught my attention more.
Hate I didn't manage to squeeze this one in, but there are so many books and only so much time.

I would look to Goodreads or other reviewers on Netgalley who read the title and will offer their unbiased opinion.

I really enjoyed the writing and the story was powerful. I love being able to to feel like I am seeing something and experiencing something that I would other wise not be able to, but I can through a book. This was one of those books for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy.

This was a short book, but that didn't make it any less powerful. It follows Mauro and Elena and their story of immigration and deportation. It starts with them being hopeful teenagers and wanting a better life for themselves in the US. They move to Texas and are soon undocumented because their Visas expire. Mauro gets deported and the family struggles to keep themselves together.

This is a very real situation that many people struggle through trying to find better for themselves. This is a very current topic and a very emotional one. This book was excellent and the struggles were brought to life.

With part of their family already in America, and the rest left in Colombia, the division of this family is central to this novel detailing the process of the struggle of immigration. Brutal and real, this book is well written and sensitive to its subject.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5 stars.

This is a very moving book based on a compilation of many heartbreaking stories about the immigrant experience, the impact of immigration laws, and the families they directly affect. It's told through the fictional voices of Mauro, Elena, and their 3 kids (Talia, Nando, and Karina) - and each has their own outlook and story to tell. Though short (only 191 pages), it's extremely rich in culture, character, and storytelling. Not to mention, the writing is beautiful & I highlighted many quotes throughout. But all in all, it's an important story & one that I think needs to be read by everyone. I'll definitely be reading more of Engel's work in the future.

Thank you to Avid Read Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful writing, stunning story-telling, poignant timing… I was captivated by the different yet intertwining perspectives. Full of hope and anguish, this one wrecked me.

*ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley

Infinite Country by Patricia Engel is a sharply written novel about one family across two countries, Colombia and the United States. It is a dual timeline story, with the first being the journey of Mauro and Elena as a young couple from Colombia to the United States; the second is of their daughter, Talia, in present-day Colombia, traveling to the United States on her own. The story is tightly constructed and moves swiftly, without wasting words. I was immediately drawn into this novel despite the many difficult circumstances they faced. Juxtaposed in the story is Andean mythology with the backdrop of real-life events in both countries that directly and indirectly affect the family. We’re shown the exploitation and constant fear the family faces as Elena remains undocumented. Even though 2 of 3 of their children were born in the US, they face harassment from classmates for not being white enough or American enough. Elena suffers exploitation but can’t speak up for fear of being separated from her US-born children. I found it fascinating to ponder about belonging and what loyalty we owe our family and mother country. Infinite Country is an illuminating and powerful read.

Thank you Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

Beautifully written and deeply felt. My one quibble was that I sometimes found it hard to keep track of the alternating points of view. But I found it overall powerful and I'm really glad that this exists as an intimate and relatable portrait of how a family comes to be undocumented and how there's no easy solution.

By the end of this story, I was fully invested in the characters and their stories. What a fantastic exercise in perspective taking of people who have to make an impossible choice and the children stuck in between two worlds. I was so moved by all the characters’ reflections on the immigrant experience in the USA, especially that of Karina the eldest daughter who was the only undocumented sibling in the family.

The book moved very slowly in the beginning, however. Until over halfway through I hadn’t become fully connected to their stories as it seemed to jump around a lot in a seemingly unconnected way.

Despite taking awhile to get into, this was a fabulous story that more people should be exposed to. Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

3.5 rounded up

This was a quick book that gave you a more behind the curtain look at what it's like for families that have, or are trying to, immigrate to America. This novel spans 15 years. From first love, to first child, to moving across the country and having half your family be citizens, while the other half is not. It's not a happy story, nor a sad story, but it is eye opening and I did enjoy it.