Solito

A Memoir

De: Javier Zamora

Narrado por: Javier Zamora

New York Times Bestseller • Read With Jenna Book Club Pick as seen on Today • Winner of the Los Angeles Times Christopher Isherwood Prize for Autobiography • Winner of the American Library Association Alex Award • A Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Century

A young poet tells the inspiring story of his migration from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine in this “gripping memoir” (NPR) of bravery, hope, and finding family.

Finalist for the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction • One of the New York Public Library’s Ten Best Books of the Year

Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence and the PEN/Open Book Award

“I read Solito with my heart in my throat and did not burst into tears until the last sentence. What a person, what a writer, what a book.”—Emma Straub

“A riveting tale of perseverance and the lengths humans will go to help each other in times of struggle.”—Dave Eggers

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Vulture, She Reads, Kirkus Reviews

Trip. My parents started using that word about a year ago—“one day, you’ll take a trip to be with us. Like an adventure.”

Javier Zamora’s adventure is a three-thousand-mile journey from his small town in El Salvador, through Guatemala and Mexico, and across the U.S. border. He will leave behind his beloved aunt and grandparents to reunite with a mother who left four years ago and a father he barely remembers. Traveling alone amid a group of strangers and a “coyote” hired to lead them to safety, Javier expects his trip to last two short weeks.

At nine years old, all Javier can imagine is rushing into his parents’ arms, snuggling in bed between them, and living under the same roof again. He cannot foresee the perilous boat trips, relentless desert treks, pointed guns, arrests and deceptions that await him; nor can he know that those two weeks will expand into two life-altering months alongside fellow migrants who will come to encircle him like an unexpected family.

A memoir as gripping as it is moving, Solito provides an immediate and intimate account not only of a treacherous and near-impossible journey, but also of the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments. Solito is Javier Zamora’s story, but it’s also the story of millions of others who had no choice but to leave home.

©2022 Javier Zamora (P)2022 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A gripping memoir… Solito is special for many reasons, but the main one is Zamora’s voice and the energy of his vivid retelling of his journey . . . And that makes it required reading.”—Gabino Iglesias, NPR

“Zamora . . . recounts in absorbing detail the dangerous, weekslong journey he took from El Salvador to reunite with his parents in the United States when he was just 9.”—The New York Times

“The magic of this book lies not only in the beguiling voice of young Javier, or the harrowing journey and immense bravery of the migrants, or in the built-in hero’s journey of this narrative. It’s hard to reconcile the fact that this book hasn’t always been with us. How can something so essential and fundamental to the American story not already be part of our canon?”—San Francisco Chronicle

A Young Immigrant Experience

This is one of the most moving immigrant crossing stories I've read. The fact that it's from his 9 year old point of view enhances the story.

Must read!

This is an amazing story. Javier does a great job of being descriptive of both physical things and of how he is feeling. Everyone should read or listen to this book. It really helps shine light on what immigrants face coming into the United States.

Incredible

I loved the book. It breaks my heart as a mom to think about what this young boy endured to be reunited with his family. It is also encouraging though to hear about the wonderful people who helped him and didn’t leave when times were hard. It is a very emotional book. I hope it heals and changes peoples hearts.

Amazing!

I was worried at the beginning that it might not keep my interest. Soon I was pulled into the authors life story. This book is by far the best listen I have heard in years!
I hope as it grows in popularity, he is able to reconnect with his second family!

Eye opening

This memoir was eye opening and gut wrenching. I enjoyed every second and am hopeful for a follow up.

Gripping story

Author as narrator is perfect ! Stunning, powerful. Highly recommend this book...the language & perspective are compelling

So, so good

Excellent, engaging, touching, thought provoking, and heart-wrenching from start to finish. Javier Zamora captures the mind of his nine year old self perfectly. I will be recommending this book to a lot of friends.

There's more than one way to racially discriminate

I like the book overall and that it was written from a childish perspective. It cuts some break on the idea that all are gringos, regardless of color, and at all gringos are ignorant in their language and speaking. It also added an element of innocence, Focusing more on being hungry and unclean versus the much darker realities that would have overshadowed this group at all times. Particularly the 2 pretty girls traveling with a young boy and a teenager.
Instead of been tightened up a bit, more concise. There were parts that seemed to drag a long time. While the 7 weeks surely would have felt very long and wearying, A few of the repetitive details could have been trimmed up.

Riveting. Couldn’t stop listening.

This book captivated me from the beginning. Although I am not an immigrant, I felt like one reading this. Amazing story. Every American should read it.

so good

well written and well read . Amazing story of an amazing and brave young boy. Would love a reunion follow up book if there was one