T.C. Boyle’s tragicomic, award-winning novel about assimilation, immigration, and the price of the American dream “A masterpiece of contemporary social satire.” —The Wall Street JournalTopanga Canyon is home to two couples on a collision course. Los Angeles liberals Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher lead an ordered sushi-and-recycling existence in a newly gated hilltop community: he a sensitive … in a newly gated hilltop community: he a sensitive nature writer, she an obsessive realtor. Mexican immigrants Candido and America Rincon desperately cling to their vision of the American Dream as they fight off starvation in a makeshift camp deep in the ravine. And from the moment a freak accident brings Candido and Delaney into intimate contact, these four and their opposing worlds gradually intersect in what becomes a tragicomedy of error and misunderstanding.
more
One of my all-time favorite T.C. Boyle novels — published over 20 years ago, it’s even more relevant today.
Not everyone picks up on the allusion to the communist Iron Curtain in this book’s title, but the iron version did fall quite a while ago, back in the 80s. This is a two-couple novel about our border with Mexico which pairs an illegal Mexican couple — Candido and America — with a legal American couple — Delaney and Kyra. Their worlds literally collide when Delaney runs over Candido with his car near the border at night. Candido and America are living illegally in the desert on the American side. Their struggle, which they mostly fail at, is to find water, food, shelter, safety and any kind of work. The book would make a good pairing with Dante’s Inferno because it’s about how, for an illegal immigrant, entering America and trying to survive for even a matter of weeks is like a descent to the 9th ring of Hell. Delaney and Kyra make a troubling contrast, because their biggest problem is that coyotes keep coming over their back gate and eating their pets. It’s obvious that Candido and America are doomed in their quest unless someone helps them. It’s also obvious that nobody would attempt such a thing if it weren’t that the better place we’re all trying to reach in life is right in view in our border towns, just a stone’s throw from the dirt huts.
Thought provoking.
No matter what your feelings about illegals in the US or on immigration policies, you will find yourself flipping your feelings back and forth as you read this book. Wonderful characters.
This book is an all time favorite of mine. Speaks to the real American dream, its failures and successes.
Been quite awhile since I read this book and can’t remember so many details. I just remember it being very worth reading and informative even though fictional.
Enjoyed this realistic tale of parallel lives of characters who were privileged compared to the destitute immigrants who”lived” in the same neighborhood. Realistically revealed the changing attitudes of the common middle class, liberal as he experienced inconveniences such as a stolen car and dogs who became coyote fodder. Tragically but realistically described the horrors of the Mexican immigrants who were poor, homeless, ignorant and vulnerable in the Land of Plenty and Opportunity. Among the best reads of the year.
I found it very interesting. It was well written and covered many problems for the illegal immigrants I hadn’t considered before. Many people are hypocrites about it until it impacts their lives.
Wonderful writer
On the surface this is a story about the differences that exist between the rich and the poor in America. It is as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1995. Perhaps even more so, because our country is so divided on issues of immigration and social welfare reform. Warning: this is not an easy book to read. It is a tragedy and It is profoundly sad and disturbing as it explores human suffering on every level.
T.C. Boyle is a master story-teller and a beautiful writer. Every detail in the book builds to reveal complex characters faced with real-life situation. I don’t think I will ever forget this book. For that reason, I give it an enthusiastic 5-Stars.
I read this book years ago and still think about the characters. It’s a haunting story and well worth your time. I highly recommend it.
one of my all time top 10 reads!!!
Depressing, but creative, engaging look at illegal Mexican immigrantion in the U.S. today.
Heart wrenching and too close to the truth
one of the best books I’ve ever read
I have to say this book is not very good. I read a lot and usually always finish a book. This one was VERY hard to finish. That characters lack dept. Would not recommend this book.
The Tortilla Curtain stunned me in the same way Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath did. Having read Drop City, which I loved and have re-read, and then starting The Women, which I managed to plough about 50% of the way through, I didn’t know what to expect from T. C. Doyle with this book. However, this one will be added to my list of all-time favorites. With our current president wanting to build a wall to keep Mexican immigrants out of the United States, this book should be mandatory reading for anyone wanting to better understand the realities of illegal immigrants from both perspectives. I absolutely LOVED this book, painful though it was to read. T.C. Doyle is a masterful writer.
Very wordy book that never brought about a happy resolution for any of its characters. Very depressing, sad book. I don’t recommend reading it.
Great reading, enjoyed the characters and storyline. I recommend it.