As harsh criticism continues to follow Jeanine Cummins’ buzzy immigrant novel, “American Dirt,” publisher Flatiron Books stands by the divisive book but acknowledges the brewing backlash it has sparked. “We are carefully listening to the conversation happening around the novel,” the statement said. AdvertisementOprah Winfrey proudly declared “American Dirt” her latest book club pick earlier this week. (The Los Angeles Times Book Club will host an event with Cummins and Times editor Steve Padilla on March 11.) “Jeanine Cummins’ narco-novel, ‘American Dirt,’ is a literary licuado [smoothie] that tastes like its title,” Gurba wrote in her takedown.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 23, 2020 22:30 UTC