Title: A Daughter of Nature Isle: The True Story of an Illegal American Immigrant
Author: Agnes Hunt
Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-64361-535-6
Genre: Memoir
Pages: 112
Reviewed by: Suzanne Gattis
Pacific Book Review
Especially relevant in this day and age in America, Agnes Hunt’s A Daughter of Nature Isle: The True Story of an Illegal American Immigrant is an impactful book which shows a harder way of life and the motivations to come to the United States, the land of opportunity. It does not really matter what your view of illegal immigration is; this snapshot into the life of an immigrant, when read with an open mind, helps you to understand the quest and challenges of so many illegal aliens. It is a book on hardships, sacrifice, ambitions, and family.
Often in the U.S., we think of Dominica as a tropical paradise worth visiting. However, this book exposes what life on the islands can really be like. Poverty, hard work, and feeling stuck in the cards you were dealt are all themes in this memoir. It is no wonder that people will sometimes risk everything to try to change that. For example, it is a true sacrifice to leave your family behind, especially your children, in hopes to one day make their lives better.
I am not sure I have ever considered how the people who come to the United States are dreamers. I have always understood they are escaping the life they often have to endure, but, as a girl who is fascinated people who dare to dream, I was moved to see more of this quality. It is about not only being willing and open to making a change, but also having bravery. This book helped me to further respect that courage. I cannot imagine the constant fear of being sent back home or being cheated by the system because I was illegal.
I found the book easy to read. The writing flowed well and often sentences caught my eye as being written quite beautifully. I was exposed to a whole new way of life and the world. It is eye opening to see life from the point of view of an immigrant; I think to make yourself more educated to immigration into America this is a must read.
