Writers of Color Book Club discussion

Here we will be discussing chapters fifteen to twenty-one of The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez. Please be mindful of using the (view spoiler)[spoiler tab to keep from ruining anyone's reading experience. (hide spoiler)] tab.

Anyone notice that it seems like Henriquez is having issues with her timelines? In the portion where she talks about 9/11, she mentions that one of the minor characters, Gustavo, was there trying to recruit people to join the military, and then the next chapter is from Gustavo's perspective and he says he didn't even come to America until right after.

Also this is a minor thing, but by the books estimation Enrique and I are the same age. I was a teenager when 9/11 happened. And the scene on the beach happens in dec 2001 and Enrique claims that he didn't want to get his "beloved" Adidas messed up. Adidas?! Those sneakers weren't that relevant circa 2001! People wore them but it wasn't like the 80s or 90s when They were more popular. I feel like she needed like a sulky teenage boy thing to insert there and she chose that. Idk maybe there is some insight there that I missed. Lol

Do you think the Adidas could've been a symbol of something for Gustavo? Sort of like when someone pins their sights on obtaining one thing that symbolizes "making it" for them like a smaller version of the house with a white picket fence thing that Americans use to have to symbolize being a part of the "American Dream."

That's possible. The family is poor so I'm sure they couldn't afford anything expensive, so maybe they were his way of taking care of what he had!
Maybe. Or just being a sulky teen. Lol.

Lol I'll have to look out for that when I read this chapter. I'm just starting this section.

Hi! Maybe Adidas weren't as relevant in the US, but in other countries they're like a status symbol, pretty much like what Adira said: his shoes where his white picket fence. I remember things like that from back when we still lived in Nicaragua. Some kids would be like "so yeah, my dad is now working in the US, and he sent me these toys and these shoes". And they'd be soooo proud of those. They would show them off to the other kids like a trophy.

Great perspective. That's why I thought I may have missed some insight there!

I was a bit confused with the timeline too when they were talking about 9/11. I'm really enjoying Henriquez's characterisation so far.