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nickscoby's review
4.0
I am so grateful that my friend Gina recommended this book to me. This unassuming narrative delivers way more than it has to, to be honest. Ostensibly, it is about a young man who embarks on a marathon run but there are so many themes that unfold: cultural identity and authenticity, bullying,
immigration, etc. I only have two quibbles: 1) it was difficult to discern some of the runners (maybe this is a deliberate writing choice); 2) I want to hear more about the author's return to college. Perhaps he is saving those stories for the next book?
immigration, etc. I only have two quibbles: 1) it was difficult to discern some of the runners (maybe this is a deliberate writing choice); 2) I want to hear more about the author's return to college. Perhaps he is saving those stories for the next book?
michalow's review
3.0
I loved that this book exposed me to the voices of people I don't often hear from -- not just the author, but also the indigenous Americans he shared his journey with. This books covers 6,000 miles plus a personal story of Alvarez and his family in fewer than 250 pages, so there's not a lot of depth. I was left wanting to know more of each of the runners' stories.
envy4's review
3.0
Read via audiobook!
Quote: We Cover our faces so you can finally see us.
I assumed this would be an adventure book, but I was very wrong. This book is a deep, mourning of the Indigenous people of North and Central America. I assumed his journey would be like my Israeli birthright trip but with more working out. His journey was of pain and suffering to heal the wounds these people endured. I didn’t get to the soul of this book, it could just be me.
Quote: We Cover our faces so you can finally see us.
I assumed this would be an adventure book, but I was very wrong. This book is a deep, mourning of the Indigenous people of North and Central America. I assumed his journey would be like my Israeli birthright trip but with more working out. His journey was of pain and suffering to heal the wounds these people endured. I didn’t get to the soul of this book, it could just be me.
protoman21's review
3.0
Sadly, I couldn't connect with this at all. I'm not sure the author really knew what direction they were going, but it all seemed very mundane with very little appreciation even for the physical and mental effort it must have taken to run that kind of distance.
nikipez's review against another edition
3.0
started out so goood, but came off hella preachy and messy by the end
viviennemorgain's review
3.0
A disappointment. So many interesting and important stories, all wasted and untold.
newdayvow's review
3.0
It was okay. I'm not upset I read it, but I wouldn't recommend it. I feel like he should have ended it with the "where are they now" chapter.