Matthew Cooper’s epic novel flips the United States of America and Mexico, creating a world in which Americans are the illegals, fear authorities, and must fight for their rights for a purposeful life.

Abandoned at birth, protagonist Tom is taken in by a woman in a brickyard community in New York. Eventually, he’s looked after and mentored by a blind, homeless man named Henry. Henry provides Tom with a worldly education in everything from history and economics to music and business.

But when Henry is fatally shot, Tom is left alone and begins travelling a vast landscape stretching from New York, across a dangerous part of the Mississippi River to Arkansas and westward in a country now known as the “United States of Mexico.” Along the way, he meets interesting characters and encounters dangerous situations, including witnessing the beating and rape of Rebecca, a Canadian girl. Ultimately, he tends to her recovery and she becomes his traveling companion.

After a harrowing, secretive crossing to the Mexican side of a river, Tom and Rebecca stay for over a year with a couple who are acquaintances of Rebecca’s family. There, Rebecca discovers she’s pregnant due to the rape. After their daughter’s birth and more travels, they head for Quebec, where Rebecca’s mother and sisters live, ready to build a new life based on “the human dream.”

Divided into three parts, this is a story of friendship, altruism, love, tragedy, and humanity. The story’s premise is creative, and Cooper delivers memorable characters and vivid detail, such as Rebecca’s horrific gang rape.

Unfortunately, descriptions can be wordy, sometimes resulting in sentences that become entire paragraphs. Readers may also be confused by which borders designate the “United States of Mexico,” and scenes where Tom and Rebecca experience hallucinations add unnecessary confusion to an already lengthy narrative.

Nonetheless, those who enjoy coming-of-age tales with characters who leave a lasting impression will find Almost an engaging, thought-provoking read.

Also available in hardcover and ebook.