Jason DeParle's “American Dream”, is a book that depicts the hardships of the recipients of welfare during a time of welfare-reform. Focusing on 3 women, their children, and the father figures who were perhaps less existent in their lives, DeParle tells a story of how these individuals function socially, culturally, politically and economically. in a city that was the heart of welfare-reform in the 90s. Readers will quickly become immersed from the start in welfare-reform stories and how they effected the decisions made by 3 women in attempt to better their lives as well as their children, all while trying to “play by the rules”. DeParle does an excellent job at coloring in the lives of cousins Jewell, Opal, and Angie who are living in Chicago
