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9780807074015

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Reviews

Jose Orduna's wonderfully wry, insightful, and beautiful debut is as deft as they come in nonfiction. It teeters on that dangerous nexus of race, class, and identity in American culture in order to bring us a mix of reportage, history, and autobiography that ultimately coalesces into a meditation on the physical, psychic and aesthetic boundaries that taunt, challenge, and sometimes even inspire us all. John D'Agata, author of Hall of Fame and The Lifespan of a Fact A beautifully written, insightful memoir that examines questions of citizenship and immigration with compassion, integrity, and fearlessness. The Weight of Shadows is an outstanding debut that instantly places Orduna among the ranks of literature s best new talent. Jerald Walker, author of Street Shadows: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, and Redemption

Jose Orduna's wonderfully wry, insightful, and beautiful debut is as deft as they come in nonfiction. It teeters on that dangerous nexus of race, class, and identity in American culture in order to bring us a mix of reportage, history, and autobiography that ultimately coalesces into a meditation on the physical, psychic and aesthetic boundaries that taunt, challenge, and sometimes even inspire us all. John D'Agata, author of Hall of Fame and The Lifespan of a Fact

Articulate and timely, Orduna s book probes the underside of the American dream while offering a fierce vision of the way race and class continue to shape government policy in a country that still bills itself as the land of opportunity for all. Sharp-eyed and unsparing. Kirkus Reviews The highly descriptive narrative brings his lived experience as close to readers as words printed on a page can. This memoir is recommended for readers who understand migration especially to the U.S. or are hoping to know more about it and are looking for narratives that exemplify the experience. Booklist Jose Orduna s wonderfully wry, insightful, and beautiful debut is as deft as they come in nonfiction. It teeters on that dangerous nexus of race, class, and identity in American culture in order to bring us a mix of reportage, history, and autobiography that ultimately coalesces into a meditation on the physical, psychic and aesthetic boundaries that taunt, challenge, and sometimes even inspire us all. John D Agata, author of Hall of Fame and The Lifespan of a Fact A beautifully written, insightful memoir that examines questions of citizenship and immigration with compassion, integrity, and fearlessness. The Weight of Shadows is an outstanding debut that instantly places Orduna among the ranks of literature s best new talent. Jerald Walker, author of Street Shadows: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, and Redemption Jose Orduna s book violates in a most exciting way a number of literary borders: The political essay is enclosed within a novel; tough political observation is enlivened suddenly by a rush of metaphor or lush detail from the poet s eye; finally humor and pathos meet on the page without papers. Here is an exuberant, outlaw literary style that is the mix of several and that exactly matches the many ironies of being and not quite ever being a North American. Richard Rodriguez, author of Brown: The Last Days of America Jose Orduna has written a provocative and insightful work that is destined to introduce a new form to the world of creative non-fiction. We have faith in his facts and Orduna essays us into a position of activism, documentation, and nuanced storytelling. The Weight of Shadows opens new pathways toward understanding the repercussions of our immigration policies; a counter-narrative to our media-skewed perceptions of a human rights issue that has no border. Orduna s hybrid approach to narrative employs the urgency of fiction, an investigative, reportorial eye, and a sublime, bilingual lyricism. This memoir will no doubt be required reading for years to come. Willie Perdomo, author of The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon In this timely and remarkably crafted work, Jose Orduna skillfully weaves personal memoir with deeply researched facts to reveal the disquieting truths no citizen of conscience can afford to ignore. A powerful meditation on the fraught road to naturalization, The Weight of Shadows awakens us to the privileges and burdens of Americanness and the troubling and often-dehumanizing abuses suffered by those in the shadows. Shulem Deen, author of All Who Go Do Not Return

Jose Orduna's wonderfully wry, insightful, and beautiful debut is as deft as they come in nonfiction. It teeters on that dangerous nexus of race, class, and identity in American culture in order to bring us a mix of reportage, history, and autobiography that ultimately coalesces into a meditation on the physical, psychic and aesthetic boundaries that taunt, challenge, and sometimes even inspire us all. John D'Agata, author of Hall of Fame and The Lifespan of a Fact A beautifully written, insightful memoir that examines questions of citizenship and immigration with compassion, integrity, and fearlessness. The Weight of Shadows is an outstanding debut that instantly places Orduna among the ranks of literature s best new talent. Jerald Walker, author of Street Shadows: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, and Redemption Jose Orduna s book violates in a most exciting way a number of literary borders: The political essay is enclosed within a novel; tough political observation is enlivened suddenly by a rush of metaphor or lush detail from the poet s eye; finally humor and pathos meet on the page without papers. Here is an exuberant, outlaw literary style that is the mix of several and that exactly matches the many ironies of being and not quite ever being a North American. Richard Rodriguez, author of Brown: The Last Days of America

Articulate and timely, Orduna s book probes the underside of the American dream while offering a fierce vision of the way race and class continue to shape government policy in a country that still bills itself as the land of opportunity for all. Sharp-eyed and unsparing. Kirkus Reviews Jose Orduna's wonderfully wry, insightful, and beautiful debut is as deft as they come in nonfiction. It teeters on that dangerous nexus of race, class, and identity in American culture in order to bring us a mix of reportage, history, and autobiography that ultimately coalesces into a meditation on the physical, psychic and aesthetic boundaries that taunt, challenge, and sometimes even inspire us all. John D'Agata, author of Hall of Fame and The Lifespan of a Fact A beautifully written, insightful memoir that examines questions of citizenship and immigration with compassion, integrity, and fearlessness. The Weight of Shadows is an outstanding debut that instantly places Orduna among the ranks of literature s best new talent. Jerald Walker, author of Street Shadows: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, and Redemption Jose Orduna s book violates in a most exciting way a number of literary borders: The political essay is enclosed within a novel; tough political observation is enlivened suddenly by a rush of metaphor or lush detail from the poet s eye; finally humor and pathos meet on the page without papers. Here is an exuberant, outlaw literary style that is the mix of several and that exactly matches the many ironies of being and not quite ever being a North American. Richard Rodriguez, author of Brown: The Last Days of America Jose Orduna has written a provocative and insightful work that is destined to introduce a new form to the world of creative non-fiction. We have faith in his facts and Orduna essays us into a position of activism, documentation, and nuanced storytelling. The Weight of Shadows opens new pathways toward understanding the repercussions of our immigration policies; a counter-narrative to our media-skewed perceptions of a human rights issue that has no border. Orduna s hybrid approach to narrative employs the urgency of fiction, an investigative, reportorial eye, and a sublime, bilingual lyricism. This memoir will no doubt be required reading for years to come. Willie Perdomo, author of The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon In this timely and remarkably crafted work, Jose Orduna skillfully weaves personal memoir with deeply researched facts to reveal the disquieting truths no citizen of conscience can afford to ignore. A powerful meditation on the fraught road to naturalization, The Weight of Shadows awakens us to the privileges and burdens of Americanness and the troubling and often-dehumanizing abuses suffered by those in the shadows. Shulem Deen, author of All Who Go Do Not Return

Articulate and timely, Orduna s book probes the underside of the American dream while offering a fierce vision of the way race and class continue to shape government policy in a country that still bills itself as the land of opportunity for all. Sharp-eyed and unsparing. Kirkus Reviews The highly descriptive narrative brings his lived experience as close to readers as words printed on a page can. This memoir is recommended for readers who understand migration especially to the U.S. or are hoping to know more about it and are looking for narratives that exemplify the experience. Booklist Orduna s illuminating story offers a personal look at the experiences of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Memoir readers and those interested in immigration history will find it rewarding. Library Journal Orduna s book violates in a most exciting way a number of literary borders: the political essay is enclosed within a novel; tough political observation is enlivened suddenly by a rush of metaphor or lush detail from the poet s eye; finally, humor and pathos meet on the page without papers. Richard Rodriguez, author of Brown: The Last Discovery of America Orduna s wonderfully wry, insightful, and beautiful debut is as deft as they come in nonfiction. John D Agata, author of Halls of Fame: Essays The Weight of Shadows is an outstanding debut that instantly places Orduna among the ranks of literature s best new talent. Jerald Walker, author of Street Shadows: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, and Redemption Orduna skillfully weaves personal memoir with deeply researched facts to reveal the disquieting truths no citizen of conscience can afford to ignore. Shulem Deen, author of All Who Go Do Not Return A provocative and insightful work that is destined to introduce a new form to the world of creative nonfiction...This memoir will no doubt be required reading for years to come. Willie Perdomo, author of The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon

Articulate and timely, Orduna s book probes the underside of the American dream while offering a fierce vision of the way race and class continue to shape government policy in a country that still bills itself as the land of opportunity for all. Sharp-eyed and unsparing. Kirkus Reviews The highly descriptive narrative brings his lived experience as close to readers as words printed on a page can. This memoir is recommended for readers who understand migration especially to the U.S. or are hoping to know more about it and are looking for narratives that exemplify the experience. Booklist Orduna s illuminating story offers a personal look at the experiences of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Memoir readers and those interested in immigration history will find it rewarding. Library Journal Orduna s wonderfully wry, insightful, and beautiful debut is as deft as they come in nonfiction. John D Agata, author of Halls of Fame: Essays The Weight of Shadows is an outstanding debut that instantly places Orduna among the ranks of literature s best new talent. Jerald Walker, author of Street Shadows: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, and Redemption Orduna s book violates in a most exciting way a number of literary borders: the political essay is enclosed within a novel; tough political observation is enlivened suddenly by a rush of metaphor or lush detail from the poet s eye; finally, humor and pathos meet on the page without papers. Richard Rodriguez, author of Brown: The Last Discovery of America A provocative and insightful work that is destined to introduce a new form to the world of creative nonfiction...This memoir will no doubt be required reading for years to come. Willie Perdomo, author of The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon Orduna skillfully weaves personal memoir with deeply researched facts to reveal the disquieting truths no citizen of conscience can afford to ignore. Shulem Deen, author of All Who Go Do Not Return

Author Information

José Orduña was born in Córdoba, Veracruz, and immigrated to Chicago when he was two. He is a graduate of the Nonfiction Writing Program at the University of Iowa and active in Latin American solidarity.

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