“You think I don’t want to remain in America, too? You think I came to America so that I can leave? "
Behold the Dreamers is a bold and honest attempt by the author Imbolo Mbue to portray and elevate the American Immigrant to be the protagonist of a story. Set in the turbulent times of 2007 to 2009, the book does a good job of communicating the uncertainty and panic people lived with, especially around their jobs.
The story puts together Jende Jonga and his employer, Clark Edwards right next to each other to convey the differences in class, culture, ambition and means. The author gives us a glimpse of Jende's life in Cameroon and why America is his dream. His wife, Neni is a particularly strong character as we see her grow in her time in America. She juggles motherhood, her education and develops into a person of her own. She has a very rewarding character arc as we read through.
The story has its highs and lows. It all boils down to the compromises, decisions and the internal battles an immigrant fights every day. It is profound but definitely not an easy read. You live through the hopes and despairs of the Jende family. It is heart wrenching and makes you feel helpless for Jende and Neni. The author in her debut novel has done a great job connecting you to the characters. She did miss a couple of opportunities in the story to paint the contrast between Jende and Clark families, especially with the story line in the Hamptons and the New York house.
This is a very grounded story with realistic characters but as an invested reader, at the end of the book, I felt cheated of the happy ending for the Jendes or the individuality that Neni had developed that was just zapped.
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