Olga Dies Dreaming
“They were nice people, generally, but their litany of problems, real or imagined, never waned. Nor did their sense of urgency around getting these problems resolved, their allergy to even a moment’s discomfort quite severe.”
― Xóchitl González, Olga Dies Dreaming
Long Story, Short
Olga and her brother Prieto are haunted by their mother's dream for Puerto Rico's freedom. They struggle for years to forge their own paths in the wake of her disappearance. But while they have found a version of success, the pains of abandonment and the weight of their mother's goal have crushed them. When there are no more milestones to hit, they meander through life wondering what could come next.
Tell Me About It
There is so much to say about this book that I fear I don't have the words to describe its masterful storytelling of distress and the pursuit of happiness.
I'm so glad I picked up this novel. It felt like walking into the streets of Brooklyn and really seeing it without the rose-colored-tourist lenses. Gonzalez's ability to weave emotional growth into the lives of people we wouldn't normally get a peek into is quite frankly beautiful. I found myself captured by Olga's mix of brutality and empathy. Her brother is just as fascinating with his devotion to everyone in his community to the point of sacrificing himself.
This book will keep you reading, not because it has a suspenseful plot or incredible love story, but because you can't help but care for these complex people that are simply doing their best in a world that wants them to fail.
Why...
You'll Love It
- New York setting
- Great character development
- Fleshed out main and side characters
You Might Not
- Not a page-turner
- Mentions of drug abuse
- Real-world references to tragedy and politics
Book Details
Author: Xóchitl González
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publication:
January 4th, 2022 by Flatiron Books
Learn more
here.
