The Tortilla Curtain

By: T. C. Boyle

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

T.C. Boyle’s “irresistible” (Entertainment Weekly) classic bestseller, a tragicomic novel about assimilation, immigration, and the price of the American dream

“A masterpiece of contemporary social satire.”—The Wall Street Journal

WINNER OF THE PRIX MÉDICIS ÉTRANGER

Topanga Canyon is home to two couples on a collision course. Los Angeles liberals Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher lead an ordered sushi-and-recycling existence in a newly gated hilltop community: he a sensitive nature writer, she an obsessive realtor. Undocumented immigrants Cándido and América Rincón desperately cling to their vision of the American Dream as they fight off starvation in a makeshift camp deep in the ravine. And from the moment a freak accident brings Cándido and Delaney into intimate contact, these four and their opposing worlds gradually intersect in what becomes a dramatic comedy of error and prejudice.

©1995 T. Coraghessan Boyle (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"This highly engaging story subtly plays on our consciences, forcing us to form, confirm, or dispute social, political, and moral viewpoints. This is a profound and tragic tale, one that exposes not only a failed American Dream, but a failing America." (Booklist)

Grim difficult realities

This was a difficult book to read. However it sheds a light on moral conflict and a real topic we all need to know about. narrator was amazing

Endless

Sometimes the difference between a good book and a great book is the ending. This book didn't have one.

Good read

A very topical book. Very interesting style of writing with correlating narratives. Interesting how you can hate your own culture.

The Tortilla Curtain: Sadly, a Timeless Theme

Any additional comments?

TC Boyle is a master at demonstrating the pathos and struggle of everyday life. The Tortilla Curtain is definitely an unvarnished look at the great gulf between the haves and the have-nots. Despite Boyle having written this book nearly 20 years ago, the story is perhaps even more pertinent in 2013. The narrative is compelling in the way a Steinbeck story compels--one hopes against hope for some bright outcome, despite all signs pointing to tragedy. The narration is a seamless fit with the author's work.

Emotionally disturbing

Would you try another book from T. Coraghessan Boyle and/or Barbara Rosenblat?

Not if the writing style is the same as this book. The details are vivid and colorful, but the premise is disturbing and short sighted.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I'll go back to informational as well as history based books.

Do you think The Tortilla Curtain needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I don't see how they could interface the characters to show how they have improved and grown into the new world. without using the religion that they had in the old world to guide them, or the common sense that abounds in all of us after traumatic events, the story could not flow or connect to the point of being believable after this book...

Any additional comments?

Although the events are very believable, the 'dumbing down' of the main mexican characters was offensive as well as unfair. after the trauma at the border the first time, they would have learned to be wary of personal encounters as well as using the systems available to them through the church or local outreach programs. to set them so low in the social intelligence ranking is insulting as well as unbelievable. It is asking us to release too much of what we are to connect to the main protagonists. It's like watching a movie made by someone who has no idea how to cast actors...