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A review by kangaruthie
Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America's Stolen Land by Noé Álvarez
4.0
This book reads like half-memoir, half "outdoor quest"-esque nonfiction. For part of the book, Noé Álvarez reflects on his childhood as a Mexican American living in Yakima, Washington and working on fruit farms with his family to struggle to make a living. Other parts of the book detail Álvarez's experience participating in the PDJ, or the Peace and Dignity Journey, during which indigenous people from around North America join together on a 6,000 mile relay run throughout North America's indigenous and stolen territory.
I enjoyed the memoir portions of the book the best. I found Álvarez's account of his family's experiences as migrant workers compelling and horrifying. It is important to learn the dark underbelly of U.S. industry's that rely on migrant labor, and Álvarez exposes many such injustices taking place in Washington's fruit orchards. As someone who grew up in Washington state and frequently purchases produce that is a product of other people's exploitation, Álvarez's account made me think critically about my buying choices as a consumer and my complicity in the system.
I did also enjoy his narrative about the PDJ. His descriptions shed light on many of the troubles and injustices Native American/First Nation communities face in our society. However, he spent most of the time discussing the interpersonal dynamics and conflict between the group of runners. While this was still interesting, I had been hoping to learn more about the run itself and the communities and landscapes they traveled through (though you do still get tastes of that here and there).
Overall, an eye-opening story that made for a quick and educational read.
I enjoyed the memoir portions of the book the best. I found Álvarez's account of his family's experiences as migrant workers compelling and horrifying. It is important to learn the dark underbelly of U.S. industry's that rely on migrant labor, and Álvarez exposes many such injustices taking place in Washington's fruit orchards. As someone who grew up in Washington state and frequently purchases produce that is a product of other people's exploitation, Álvarez's account made me think critically about my buying choices as a consumer and my complicity in the system.
I did also enjoy his narrative about the PDJ. His descriptions shed light on many of the troubles and injustices Native American/First Nation communities face in our society. However, he spent most of the time discussing the interpersonal dynamics and conflict between the group of runners. While this was still interesting, I had been hoping to learn more about the run itself and the communities and landscapes they traveled through (though you do still get tastes of that here and there).
Overall, an eye-opening story that made for a quick and educational read.