MosquitoSojourner Nadine Jane Johnson, also known as Mosquito, is an African-American truck driver. Set in a south Texas border town, "Mosquito" is the story of her accidental and yet growing involvement in "the new underground railroad, " a sanctuary movement for Mexican immigrants. Mosquito's journey begins when she discovers Maria, a stowaway who nearly gives birth in the back of the truck; Maria will eventually name her baby Journal, a misspelled tribute to her unwitting benefactor Sojourner. Along the road, Mosquito introduces us to Delgadina, a Chicana bartender who fries cactus, writes haunting stories, and studies to become a detective - one of the most original and appealing characters in all of Jones' fiction. We also meet Monkey Bread, a childhood pal who is, improbably, assistant to a blonde star in Hollywood, where Mosquito pays her a memorable visit. As her understanding of the immigrants' need to forge new lives and identities deepens, so too does Mosquito's romance with Ray, a gentle revolutionary, philosopher, and, perhaps, a priest. |
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African African-American ain't know ain't never Anyway baby border patrol bout Bud Light Budweiser cactus cantina cause they's Cept Cheech Chicano COLIENE colored cowboy crazy Daughters of Nzingha Delga Delgadina Delgadina say Delgado Denzel detergents drinking English fool French Frito Bandito girl girlfriend gotta gringo guerrilla guess hair hear heard Hollywood horse hot chocolate immigration jazz John Henry kinda look language MADA Maria mean Mexican Mexico Miguelita Monkey Bread Mosquito Nadine Native American Nefertiti novel oughta ownself padre Perfectability Baptist play poem poetry priest pulque Ray Mendoza refugees remember restaurant revolution salsa Sanctuary movement seen shit sitting so's sometimes sorta sound Spanish starts stereotype story talking tell y'all there's they's theyselves thing thought told trade shows truck true trying Underground Railroad usedta vato we's wearing woman women word write Yeah you's