Random Things Tours: The Wild Ones by Antonio Ramos Revillas translated by Claire Storey

We are used to associate Mexico either with street violence or with charming beaches with neverending parties. But either as tourists or as consumer of news, we rarely grasp the extent of the daily life of normal people in such places. Especially the ways in which their destinies are made of.

The Wild Ones by Mexican author Antonio Ramos Revillas, translated by Claire Storey - who also translated from Spanish Never Tell Anyone Your Name by Federico Ivaner - is a heartbreaking story of a family living in the hillsides of Monterrey, Mexico. One of the country´s largest agglomerations, with museums, restaurants and shopping malls, it is also home to disadvantaged families, marked only by their address. 

As their mother is arrested for a supposed theft, 15-year old Efrain and his two younger siblings are left alone, helpless. The help comes though from the most unexpected place, the local gang members, but it has a price tag.

Although placed in Mexico, with an obvious local feature, the story of this family resonates with unpriviledged families from all over the world. Without being pathetic or trying to switch to social activism, Revillas, admirably translated by Storey, gives voice to those unheard, but often criticized and stigmatised. A world of violence and drug traffic perpetuated by default, in an environment growing up in the absence of any solid support or a healthy social network. 

I appreciated the frank and open way in which the story is told, avoiding any romanticism or over-emotional compassionate tone. Thus, it allows the individual voices of the characters to be told, telling their story, as it is, not what some may expect to hear.

I will recommend this book to young adults and their parents, as it offers a side of life that explains behaviors and daily realities. A recommended read that I hope to have the chance one day to read in the original Spanish version.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own