“That’s the problem right now. People think they’re only responsible for people exactly like them. I don’t feel that way.”
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I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into this book, which I think was a good thing. I learned a lot about Puerto Rico‘s history of oppression, but at times this felt much too info-dumpy for a fiction novel. I think it was also paced just a tad too slow for my taste. 

I loved the growth and progression that Olga and other characters experienced. The way Olga strove for something that was meaningless to her was so interesting. I enjoyed the structure of the novel and how the letters from their mother correlated to key plot points in the present and moments in their histories. I also loved how Gonzalez was playing with the idea of perceived reality and intent. 

There was a little too much insight into character thoughts and not enough showing (too much telling). I think I also struggled with some of the dialogue, it didn’t quite match the characters ages or emotions at times. It was an unsettling mix of clunky dialogue, and very intense subject matter. 

For a debut novel, this was a great start and I really look forward to seeing how Gonzalez develops in her next work.