The Travelers by Walt Long: reviewed by Fran Lewis

[Fran Lewis]

The Travelers By Walt Long

This powerful novel deals with real life issues that many people are facing today. The issue of whether we should allow illegal immigrants to remain in our country and work here is one that has created much controversy for many years. The novel also describes the many instances where countries and their leaders wanted to eliminate people because of their race, creed and religion. Some even felt that their race or religion was the only one worthy of living and the rest were inferior.

Mickey McAllister is a 26-year-old man who has teamed up with a man named John Henry to help bring many of these “Wetbacks” across the border. Their main goal in wanting to live here is to work, make a living and send money back across the border to their families back home. Enlisting his best friend Leonard and his wife Lucinda’s help, Mickey managed to operate a lucrative business. However, this would not last for long. There were radical organizations and groups who began speaking out and holding meetings to try and have the borders closed to these immigrants and prevent them from becoming gainfully employed in this country.

But, with strong will and perseverance he was able to bring many groups of immigrants into the Rio Grande Valley and hopefully to a better life. But these radical groups would stop at nothing to prevent this from happening. Added to this there were two men went on a racial shooting spree to get the message out there that people who did not belong here needed to be eliminated.

The issue of whether these workers should be allowed to remain is one that has created much conversation, as it has been in the news in recent years. These day laborers work outdoors doing fieldwork, gardening, landscaping, working as dishwashers, maids, and cleaners in hair salons and doing many jobs that people here would prefer not doing.


Throughout the novel we see how Mickey and Leonard are conflicted and start to rethink what they are doing and at times feel that maybe they both got in over their heads. But, when one young man is killed leaving his girlfriend and best friend alone, both Mickey and Leonard go that extra mile to make sure that they get back home to their country safely.

The author tells a poignant story not only about the plight of these people but of trust, loyalty and true friendship between people.

In order to find out what happens to Mickey, Leonard and Lucinda and whether they continue to help bring people across the border or what if anything might cause them to rethink what they are doing, you have to read this novel and decide for yourself whether you agree or disagree with the issues in this book. One thing I am sure you will agree with after reading the novel is that Walt Long deserves FIVE STARS for writing this thought provoking and outstanding novel.

Fran Lewis : reviewer

[Sheila Deeth]

Sounds very topical. And yes, after reading your review, I would like to know more. I'll look out for this.