The Original Human Beings tells the life story of Never Morales, a Latina girl born in the Tegucigalpa garbage dump, who grows into a woman shaped by brutality, resilience, music, and a search for belonging. The novel follows her childhood in “Dante’s Inferno,” her encounters with dangerous men, her strange protector Loco Lucy, the death and revival prank of her mother, and the long journey that eventually leads her to the Nez Percé people and a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. Dr. Timothy Dale White blends raw memories with cultural history, weaving in philosophy and anthropology in a way that makes the story feel both personal and sweeping.

The writing swings between heartbreaking and strangely joyful, almost like the story breathes in pain and then exhales laughter. I kept feeling jolted by how quickly the author shifts from horror to humor. For example, the scene where Never’s mother fakes her own death to taunt her abuser left me shocked and then suddenly laughing through the tension. That moment hit me hard because it showed how joy can survive even when everything else is falling apart. The style feels bold, sometimes messy, sometimes poetic, but often intimate. I found myself pausing to absorb pieces of dialogue or reveling in small images.

I also felt a lot of admiration for how the book forces readers to sit with uncomfortable truths. The dump scenes are vivid and painful, and the children’s reality is harsh. Yet the story never sinks into hopelessness. Instead, it pushes toward questions about humanity, oppression, and identity. The inclusion of Indigenous philosophy and the Nez Percé worldview surprised me at first, yet it worked. It gave the story a bigger frame, like Never’s life was part of something older and wider. I appreciated that the book doesn’t pretend to have easy answers. It asks you to feel your way through the darkness instead and trust that something bright might show up.

I think this book would be perfect for readers who seek stories that blend emotional honesty with cultural depth. It suits people who want fiction that challenges them and surprises them, people who enjoy character-driven narratives, and anyone drawn to themes of survival, dignity, and identity. If you like stories that break your heart a little, this one is worth your time. Author Dr. Timothy Dale White has written a fierce and soulful novel that turns darkness into meaning.

Pages: 356 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0G42BPC2T