American Dirt

Lydia lives in Acapulco. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while cracks are beginning to show in Acapulco because of the cartels, Lydia’s life is, by and large, fairly comfortable. But after her husband’s tell-all profile of the newest drug lord is published, none of their lives will ever be the same. Forced to flee, Lydia and Luca find themselves joining the countless people trying to reach the United States. Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to?

Set in

• ★
  Acapulco, Guerrero · Mexico

  Acapulco; starting point of the flight from cartel violence
  ★ primary
• ★
  Acapulco · Mexico

  Acapulco where cartel massacre forces bookseller Lydia and son to flee northward
  ★ primary
• Mexico · Mexico

  Mexico; northward journey on La Bestia to the US border
• US-Mexico border · United States

  The border crossing — the dangerous final destination of Lydia and Luca's journey on La Bestia migrant train