The Line Becomes a River Summary
Francisco Cantú

The Line Becomes a River Overview

This book is a three-part consideration of the author’s experiences interacting with the United States Border Patrol – specifically, his work as a field agent for the patrol, his work as an intelligence officer of the patrol, and his support of an illegal migrant whom he had befriended, and who had been returned to Mexico by other members of the patrol. Told in a fragmented, collage-like style, in which meaning emerges from the juxtaposition of images and stories, the narrative explores themes relating to the power and value of family, the human cost of violence, and the various qualities of compassion.