The Tortilla Curtain, T C Boyle, Viking, 1995, 336 pp
Somehow I had never read this novel by T C Boyle, though I have read with both interest and many times pleasure several of his others. I have read it now for my One Book At A Time reading group and it provoked an excellent discussion.
It is the story of an undocumented Mexican couple in the Los Angeles area who are scrambling to save enough money for an apartment before their first baby is born. Candido and his wife America are living rough in Topanga Canyon right across the main road leading to a gated community. Delaney and Kyra live there in luxury at the Arroyo Blanco Estates, he a nature writer and she a successful realtor.
When Delaney hits Candido with his car while driving the canyon road, a connection is made between the two men that will threaten both family's lives. T C Boyle spares no chance to contrast the economic privilege of Delaney and Kyra and their neighbors with the desperate poverty of Candido and America.
It is amazing how a book published 25 years ago still feels completely current. The American well-to-do harbor hatred, resentment and fear towards Mexican immigrants, spouting the very same lines we still hear today about how they steal our jobs and live off social benefits paid for by taxpayers. Gates and walls and security cameras abound.
Candido is determined to achieve his dreams for a better life than he could ever provide for his wife and child in Mexico. He makes bad decisions over and over but never loses his will to overcome all the obstacles confronting him.
It is a heartbreaking tale filled with events. With growing disdain for Delaney and Kyra, who also make bad decisions, and growing admiration for Candido and his much beleaguered wife as they use every ounce of strength to catch a break, I found myself wondering how immigrants to America ever make it.
They do though and I suspect most work at least three times as hard as most American citizens. The latest estimates regarding climate change and the accompanying loss of living space, are that immigration will be the next Armageddon for the planet. It won't be pretty but they will keep coming no matter how much the privileged classes of the world don't want them.
The book ends in the most harrowing scene of all with Candido making the most humane gesture of anyone in the book. It made me think of the final scene in John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. In fact, the epigraph at the front of the book is a quote from Steinbeck's book:
"They ain't human. A human being wouldn't live like they do. A human being couldn't stand it to be so dirty and miserable"
i thought Boyle was all about blood and violence... i was wrong; this seems like an effective comment on American society...
ReplyDeleteWell you could say this was his bloody and violent effective comment on American society. He does not always do blood and violence though. Were you thinking of his short story collection called Tooth and Claw?
Deleteno, i've never read his work; just from reviews and such... probably i should not express opinions i haven't verified...
DeleteI read this twice (last tome about 10 years ago, I think) and thought it was so good.
ReplyDeleteI agree!!
DeleteThis book lead to one of the best discussions my book club ever had. I listened to the audio version read by the author and remember marveling at its timeliness/relevance... that was at least a decade ago. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteSo great when a book creates good discussion. He sure nailed it.
DeleteI have not read Boyle, but this sounds like a terrific read and very timely.
ReplyDeleteHow I came to read Boyle: I used to go to author events at local bookstores in Los Angeles. I went to one where Boyle spoke and I liked his way of reading, his attitude and his cool sneakers. That was over a decade ago and I have now read most of his novels.
DeleteI recently read this in 2016 and thought perhaps it's the best Boyle book I've read! i liked how the two worlds collide ... but it shows a bit of empathy (& spoof) for both sides so it's more nuanced than black & white. Have you read another Boyle novel as good as this one?
ReplyDeleteGood summary there, Susan. It was certainly up there with others of his I have enjoyed. I also liked When the Killing's Done and The Terranauts.
DeleteScary how it really does fit the current times...
ReplyDeleteSo scary...
DeleteIt does indeed mirror current times doesn't it? How many times do we have to repeat the errors of the past until we learn from them? Sadly, I think we all know the answer to that rhetorical question.
ReplyDeleteYes, probably forever.
DeleteYet here we are, repeating these same mistakes over and over and over - and people still harboring the same prejudices and biases. I don't think we will ever learn.
ReplyDeleteChange sure is a slow thing. It is hard to keep the faith and have hope, but some days I do.
DeleteI feel the same way. Even though there is so much chaos surrounding school right now, I am encouraged by seeing all the people coming forward to 'adopt' teachers to help us purchase supplies we need in order to teach more effectively during the pandemic. That gives me hope that kindness and humanity are winning.
DeleteI have been meaning to read a book by T. C. Boyle for ages. I have a copy of his novel, Riven Rock, and really need to make time to read it.
ReplyDeleteHe writes great good stories!
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