Indies Introduce

Non-Fiction

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  Rivermouth: A Chronicle of Language, Faith, and Migration, Alejandra Oliva
  Astra House, 9781662601699, June 20, 2023 (Non-Fiction)
  

  “Rivermouth examines the immigrant journey from beginning to end. It is a personal, human centric account of our system, how broken it is, and how it fails us all. The author, herself Mexican-American, bi-lingual, with a foot planted in two worlds, is ideally suited to frame the discussion.”

  —Alana Haley, Schuler’s Books, Grand Rapids, MI
  
  

  “The United States immigration policy is so messed up, antiquated, and deliberately discriminatory to the millions of humans that cross its borders everyday. In hopes of a better livelihood, they risk their lives and leave their homes behind. Yet it continues to exist unfazed, unchecked, and leaving those of us on the other side divided and jaded. In Rivermouth, Oliva demonstrates the extraordinary gift of language and translation, how it can expand our understanding of human connection, and why we need to address this crisis now.”

  —Thu Doan, East Bay Booksellers, Oakland, CA
  

  “Rather than providing fodder for sensationalistic news stories, the US southern border immigration crisis demands serious attention and reform. Activist Oliva offers up her experience and skills to assist desperate people in preparing for their credible fear interviews, as well as for myriad other hoops. Rivermouth offers an extremely compelling combination of memoir, study of translation, and overall examination of the immigration process.”

  —Beth Shapiro, Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, MO

   

  “Rivermouth is an emotional, informative exploration of the American immigrant and asylum systems told through the lens of the author’s experience serving as a translator at the US-Mexico border. Alejandra Oliva brings such compassion and insight to the ‘immigration crisis’ while never losing focus on the humanity of the people who get caught in the incredibly complex  bureaucracy of it all. This is an incredible addition to the literary narrative nonfiction landscape and is sure to appeal to fans of The Undocumented Americans.”

  —Christine Bollow, Loyalty Bookstores, Washington, DC