Review of Road to Delano
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Nancy Riggleman
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- Latest Review: Road to Delano by John DeSimone
Review of Road to Delano
[Following is a volunteer review of "Road to Delano" by John DeSimone.]
The story of California's Central Valley during the tumultuous times of the Grape Boycotts and the formation of the United Farm Workers Union sets this coming of age story for a young man and his friends. John DeSimone, in writing The Road to Delano, skillfully sketches out a realistic picture of the difficulties that faced a teenager during the 1960's with all it's attending angst. This is a story of a VietNam War era agricultural community facing a reckoning with it's racist past and how that shaped the people.
The positive aspects of this reconstruction of the past includes, but is not limited to, the accurate portrayal of the attitudes of the grape growers and the foment of the migrant workers. Especially poignant is the depiction of the roller coaster of emotions experienced by the teenagers as they begin to realize the enormity of adulthood. I would be remiss if I failed to mention the remarkable way John DeSimone wove the significance and dignity of Cesar Chavez into the lives of his characters and the zeitgeist of this chapter in America's struggles for democracy.
Of negative aspects, there were few. Perhaps some would find fault in how John DeSimone seemed to belabor the scenes involving card playing and the actual hands dealt and how they were played. But, to do so could be diminishing the psychological significance of the actions. Additionally, those looking for a more lurid portrayal of the interactions between the male and female teenagers will be disappointed. Such interaction is not germane to the historical weight of this narrative.
I would definitely rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The description of the topography, the agricultural activities and the weather phenomenons woven throughout the story is accurate and pertinent to the settings. The characters are portrayed with a sympathetic eye to their circumstances. This is especially true with the moving descriptions of the migrant workers living conditions and their seemingly futile situations. The story springs from the pages in an organic and natural way. There are no instances where the development seems contrived. There is one situation where the main character, Jack, and his girl friend, Ella, are outside of their accustom environment , that being rural and agricultural, yet their behavior is what one might expect from teenagers confronted by new reality. Overall, this book accomplishes, to perfection, the mood of the times, the evolution of teenagers towards adulthood and most importantly, the historical struggles of the human conditions encompassed by California's Central Valley in the 1960's.
A perfect segue from literature to history for the young adult. This book is an excellent choice for a young teen to learn of historical events in an easily grasped genre. Older teens or adults would find this an interesting depiction of an oft skipped over aspect of our national story.
******
Road to Delano
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The story of California's Central Valley during the tumultuous times of the Grape Boycotts and the formation of the United Farm Workers Union sets this coming of age story for a young man and his friends. John DeSimone, in writing The Road to Delano, skillfully sketches out a realistic picture of the difficulties that faced a teenager during the 1960's with all it's attending angst. This is a story of a VietNam War era agricultural community facing a reckoning with it's racist past and how that shaped the people.
The positive aspects of this reconstruction of the past includes, but is not limited to, the accurate portrayal of the attitudes of the grape growers and the foment of the migrant workers. Especially poignant is the depiction of the roller coaster of emotions experienced by the teenagers as they begin to realize the enormity of adulthood. I would be remiss if I failed to mention the remarkable way John DeSimone wove the significance and dignity of Cesar Chavez into the lives of his characters and the zeitgeist of this chapter in America's struggles for democracy.
Of negative aspects, there were few. Perhaps some would find fault in how John DeSimone seemed to belabor the scenes involving card playing and the actual hands dealt and how they were played. But, to do so could be diminishing the psychological significance of the actions. Additionally, those looking for a more lurid portrayal of the interactions between the male and female teenagers will be disappointed. Such interaction is not germane to the historical weight of this narrative.
I would definitely rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The description of the topography, the agricultural activities and the weather phenomenons woven throughout the story is accurate and pertinent to the settings. The characters are portrayed with a sympathetic eye to their circumstances. This is especially true with the moving descriptions of the migrant workers living conditions and their seemingly futile situations. The story springs from the pages in an organic and natural way. There are no instances where the development seems contrived. There is one situation where the main character, Jack, and his girl friend, Ella, are outside of their accustom environment , that being rural and agricultural, yet their behavior is what one might expect from teenagers confronted by new reality. Overall, this book accomplishes, to perfection, the mood of the times, the evolution of teenagers towards adulthood and most importantly, the historical struggles of the human conditions encompassed by California's Central Valley in the 1960's.
A perfect segue from literature to history for the young adult. This book is an excellent choice for a young teen to learn of historical events in an easily grasped genre. Older teens or adults would find this an interesting depiction of an oft skipped over aspect of our national story.
******
Road to Delano
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Road to Delano by John DeSimone
