“Articulate and timely, Orduña’s book probes the underside of the American dream while offering a fierce vision of the way race and class continue to shape government policy in a country that still bills itself as the land of opportunity for all. Sharp-eyed and unsparing.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The highly descriptive narrative brings his lived experience as close to readers as words printed on a page can. This memoir is recommended for readers who understand migration—especially to the U.S.—or are hoping to know more about it and are looking for narratives that exemplify the experience.”
—Booklist
“Orduña’s illuminating story offers a personal look at the experiences of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Memoir readers and those interested in immigration history will find it rewarding.”
—Library Journal
“Orduña’s book violates—in a most exciting way—a number of literary borders: the political essay is enclosed within a novel; tough political observation is enlivened suddenly by a rush of metaphor or lush detail from the poet’s eye; finally, humor and pathos meet on the page ‘without papers.’ Here is an exuberant, outlaw literary style…that exactly matches the many ironies of being—and not quite ever being—a North American.”
—Richard Rodriguez, author of Brown: The Last Discovery of America
“Orduña’s wonderfully wry, insightful, and beautiful debut is as deft as they come in nonfiction.”
—John D’Agata, author of Halls of Fame: Essays
“The Weight of Shadows is an outstanding debut that instantly places Orduña among the ranks of literature’s best new talent.”
—Jerald Walker, author of Street Shadows: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, and Redemption
“Orduña skillfully weaves personal memoir with deeply researched facts to reveal the disquieting truths no citizen of conscience can afford to ignore.”
—Shulem Deen, author of All Who Go Do Not Return
“A provocative and insightful work that is destined to introduce a new form to the world of creative nonfiction…This memoir will no doubt be required reading for years to come.”
—Willie Perdomo, author of The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon
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