Read It Or List It: Season 2, Series 2, Episodes 4-5 DOMINCANA by Angie Cruz
Dominicana by Angie Cruz has been on my To Be Read List for what feels like forever and I am so happy that I finally read it for our Historical Fiction series on Read It Or List It. I loved this book for so many reasons and I can’t wait to read more from Angie Cruz. Her prose are so colorful and unique, she just sucks you right in.
Head to Read it Or List It to listen to our spoiler free and spoiler filled reviews!
Synopsis: “Fifteen-year-old Ana Cancion never dreamed of moving to America, the way the girls she grew up with in the Dominican countryside did. But when Juan Ruiz proposes and promises to take her to New York City, she has to say yes. It doesn't matter that he is twice her age, that there is no love between them. Their marriage is an opportunity for her entire close-knit family to eventually immigrate. So on New Year's Day, 1965, Ana leaves behind everything she knows and becomes Ana Ruiz, a wife confined to a cold six-floor walk-up in Washington Heights. Lonely and miserable, Ana hatches a reckless plan to escape. But at the bus terminal, she is stopped by Cesar, Juan's free-spirited younger brother, who convinces her to stay.
As the Dominican Republic slides into political turmoil, Juan returns to protect his family's assets, leaving Cesar to take care of Ana. Suddenly, Ana is free to take English lessons at a local church, lie on the beach at Coney Island, see a movie at Radio City Music Hall, go dancing with Cesar, and imagine the possibility of a different kind of life in America. When Juan returns, Ana must decide once again between her heart and her duty to her family.” —From the publisher
What I Liked:
The Style—On the podcast, we talk about how the prose are poetic and almost vignette style. The audiobook is amazing but the print quality almost feel illustrated with Cruz’s use of negative space.
The Characters—Ana will remain a very special character to me for a long time. I loved that while it was Ana’s story, we still heard from so many other character’s and their perspectives throughout.
New York as a Character—Cruz does such a fabulous job personifying New York City and all its unfamilitarty for Ana. We are right there with her as she discovers her new home.
What Didn’t Work:
Nothing. I think it was the perfect length and a deeply moving, realistic story.
TW/CW: marital rape, violence, racism, colorism, intimate partner violence
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Steamy Rating: N/A Overall Rating: 5/5
Other reviews to check out:
@thekneadtoread, @all.that.ali.reads, @allegedleymari, @booksandmargs, @trishreadsss, @bookitqueen, @lupitareads, @a.rae.of.books
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