by Melanie Crowder
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: June 13, 2017AN UNINTERRUPTED VIEW OF THE SKY is a poignant novel that offers a glimpse into Bolivia's corrupt judicial system. When protagonist Francisco's father is wrongly accused of drug production and sent to prison without a trial, Francisco and his eight-year old sister, Pilar, are forced to move into the jail with their father. When Francisco and his sister receive an invitation to live with their grandparents in rural Bolivia, Francisco must decide whether to leave his father in the prison or keep the family together under increasingly dangerous conditions.
Initially, I thought that the plot was a bit far-fetched, but an author's note in the back explains that the novel is based in fact and contains a list of sources that readers can consult for further information. One section of the novel that I found particularly eye-opening was a conversation between Francisco and a police officer which reveals that the law that imprisoned his father, called the 1008, is actually a result of the US incentivizing Bolivia to make drug-related arrests. The author did an excellent job crafting characters that felt real while still accurately portraying the far-reaching impacts of American foreign policy. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about human rights.
No comments:
Post a Comment