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Delve into the work of the U.S. Border Patrol in this Burnaby book discussion

Esquire magazine described it as “a must-read for anyone who thinks ‘build a wall’ is the answer to anything.
book cover, The Line Becomes a River
The Line Becomes a River is the subject of a librarian-led discussion at Burnaby Public Library's Metrotown branch on April 30.

Esquire magazine described it as “a must-read for anyone who thinks ‘build a wall’ is the answer to anything.”

Now the Burnaby Public Library is inviting people in for a discussion about the bestselling book The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border, by Francisco Cantú. On Tuesday, April 30, the library’s Metrotown branch (6100 Willingdon Ave.) will host a librarian-led talk about the book from 7 to 8 p.m.

The first-person narrative describes the author’s experiences working for the U.S. Border Patrol; he served as an agent in the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas from 2008 to 2012.

“He is haunted by the plight of Mexican migrants as they cross the desert and examines how his job affects his loyalties, family, friendships, and ideas of a caring society,” says a write-up about the event.

The book was named a top book of 2018 by NPR and The Washington Post. It was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Nonfiction Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize (in Current Interest).

Anyone who wants to take part can register at the library or call 604-436-5400. Once you’re registered, take your library card in to the library to pick up your copy of the book at the second-floor reference desk, and read it before the discussion.