Nickel and Dime is a novel that weaves the lives of three Mexican American men together. We are brought into the life of Roberto Silva, the main character who goes from a bank security guard to a homeless man on the street. The story takes place in California in the late 1990’s. Throughout the three sections of the book we follow Roberto in his journey through life. Roberto is bored with his job as a security guard. When his boss lets him go, he is actually elated to be going onto what his boss calls a “wonderful” life. His elation soon turns into hardship when he is kicked out of his apartment and soon begins to live on the streets.

We see his struggle to survive with his efforts to sell Christmas trees and hand made wreathes door to door. As the story progresses Roberto goes from bad to worse in his physical state. An admiral quality of Roberto is his optimistic view on life. While starving, dirty, and living on the street, Roberto believes he can make it through. He meets a poet named Silver Mendez while living on the streets. Silver was once an activist for the Chicano movement in the late 60’s and 70’s. He has struggled for many years to live as a poet. Both Silver and Roberto have lived on the charity of their friends; staying on couches for as long as they can. Silver is adamant about how real poetry is written. His opinion was that poetry should be written about people and their real suffering.

Gus Hernandez has been a security guard for a bank for over 19 years. He prides himself in his duties as a guard and feels that he is an indispensable employee. Gus has lived a straight life as a good citizen and has walked a straight path. On guard one day, his boss informs him of a vagrant on the property.  The vagrant turns out to be Roberto, a former security guard who worked with Gus at the bank. Roberto pleads with Gus to help him. When they were coworkers, they rarely spoke to each other, both believing the other wasn’t really worth knowing. Reluctantly he agrees. Roberto begins his descent when he leaves the bank and regains his life when he returns.

Soto brings to life three distinct and unique characters that cross paths on the journey of their lives. Throughout the book, Roberto no matter how destitute he becomes does not give up hope for a better day. His optimism and his gratitude towards his friends is refreshing.  It keeps the story from becoming a novel about the complete despair of a homeless person. The author describes Roberto’s struggle in a unique way that makes the reader want the best for him. The realistic situations, images, and settings enable the reader to feel what the characters are feeling. 

The language flows with interlingual Spanish and English words with smooth and natural transitions. Rough and gritty language makes the authenticity of the story more evident. The story brings characters together of all economic classes and ages. Their ways of life and place in society are highlighted and contrasted to each others situations. A dreamer, realist, and optimist weave in and out of each other’s lives to help shape and influence each other’s worlds.  The story is strong statement about the human condition.