Destiny’s Journey

This little book can be compared to the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s Le Petit Prince for its great sense of an imaginary world that comes to life. Similarly, the theme and characters come to life in Destiny’s Journey by Robert Ruiz, Jr. It is a touching little story whose theme encompasses the importance of family values and hope.

The story unfolds as seen through the eyes of Pico, the hottest member of the Chile family, representing an imaginary sojourn of a Mexican family immigrating from Mexico to the United States. As the story progresses, little Pico is forced to deal with many obstacles along the way.

Ruiz incorporates a large number of elements from his beloved Mexico. These give the story depth and moral character, a trait virtually missing in most modern literature. Like Saint-Exupery, Ruiz attempts to use an imaginary prop to delivery a message to children that does not seem preachy or condescending. Instead, it immerses the reader in a world that you want to believe in. That aspect alone supports the author’s skills as a first-rate storyteller.

The characters of the story also express the joys, love, and hope that the author intends to drive home. Destiny’s Journey explores all the nuances of hope and adventure in the new world, just as new immigrants would.

The style of the prose flows effortlessly and lends itself to independent reading or to being read as a bedtime story. Either way, the story maintains a strong impact that stimulates young minds in ways that other literature should follow. Perhaps author Robert Ruiz should envision other stories that embrace other profound aspects of life that could be composed utilizing other similar kinds of characters. That would be a refreshing treat. I look forward to reading more of Ruiz’s work.