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buckeyebreezey's review against another edition
5.0
This book has been on my TBR so long that I totally forgot why I wanted to read it.
A beautifully written and engaging story about two siblings, their heritage, and how that heritage has impacted them in the present.
All surrounding a gentrifying Brooklyn and the political backdrop of Puerto Rico.
While the characters themselves are grappling with their lives, they are also real. The story is well blended between romance, history, family issues, New York life and politics, the mob, blackmail.
Any ONE of the subplots could have been it's own story and taken center stage. Instead, Gonzalez weaves them all effortlessly to make the story more than the sum of its parts.
A beautifully written and engaging story about two siblings, their heritage, and how that heritage has impacted them in the present.
All surrounding a gentrifying Brooklyn and the political backdrop of Puerto Rico.
While the characters themselves are grappling with their lives, they are also real. The story is well blended between romance, history, family issues, New York life and politics, the mob, blackmail.
Any ONE of the subplots could have been it's own story and taken center stage. Instead, Gonzalez weaves them all effortlessly to make the story more than the sum of its parts.
mily_fran78's review against another edition
3.0
It took a second try to get into this book. It’s good but a little bland for me.
marigold_fall's review against another edition
3.0
Told through the vibrant lens of Olga Acevedo, a driven and accomplished Puerto Rican wedding planner for New York City's elite, and her charismatic politician brother, Prieto, Olga Dies Dreaming is an engaging story about how these siblings navigate their careers and love lives while grappling with the haunting specter of their traumatic childhood.
Abandoned at a young age by their mother, Blanca, who dreams of a Puerto Rico free from U.S. imperialism and ardently believes it is her calling to spearhead this liberation, the siblings wrestle with what it means to be left behind, to spend their lives vying for their mother's approval and affection even when it seems an elusive and futile endeavor. Themes of vulnerability, self-identity, and agency appear throughout the book, while in parallel, Xóchitl González zooms out to explore more macro themes about politics, activism, and national identity.
The former is where the book shines; although some of the dialogue occasionally stumbles (Matteo, I'm looking at you), there are beautiful moments where Olga and Prieto reflect on the world around them and the storms raging inside of them. These moments provide the emotional core of the story. Unfortunately, the book becomes uneven when González attempts to use the neocolonialism subplot and the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria as catalysts for the siblings to confront their deep-seated hurt and anger toward their mother.
Whenever characters break into detailed, pedantic monologues about a topic - in this case, international relations - it feels like the writer has a lot to say but struggles with how to convey it. There are moments where the captivating history surrounding U.S.-Puerto Rico relations was more seamlessly weaved into the narrative, but it felt jarring and inconsistent at other times.
The story would have benefitted from simpler storytelling as well:.
The broader and more complex Olga Dies Dreaming becomes, the less powerful of a narrative it is.
Abandoned at a young age by their mother, Blanca, who dreams of a Puerto Rico free from U.S. imperialism and ardently believes it is her calling to spearhead this liberation, the siblings wrestle with what it means to be left behind, to spend their lives vying for their mother's approval and affection even when it seems an elusive and futile endeavor. Themes of vulnerability, self-identity, and agency appear throughout the book, while in parallel, Xóchitl González zooms out to explore more macro themes about politics, activism, and national identity.
The former is where the book shines; although some of the dialogue occasionally stumbles (Matteo, I'm looking at you), there are beautiful moments where Olga and Prieto reflect on the world around them and the storms raging inside of them. These moments provide the emotional core of the story. Unfortunately, the book becomes uneven when González attempts to use the neocolonialism subplot and the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria as catalysts for the siblings to confront their deep-seated hurt and anger toward their mother.
Whenever characters break into detailed, pedantic monologues about a topic - in this case, international relations - it feels like the writer has a lot to say but struggles with how to convey it. There are moments where the captivating history surrounding U.S.-Puerto Rico relations was more seamlessly weaved into the narrative, but it felt jarring and inconsistent at other times.
The story would have benefitted from simpler storytelling as well:
Spoiler
For example, the mob subplot, during which Olga becomes entangled in a money laundering scheme, did little to enhance the narrative beyond establishing Olga's willingness to compromise her own moralsThe broader and more complex Olga Dies Dreaming becomes, the less powerful of a narrative it is.
siendo's review against another edition
4.0
Keep writing books, Xochitl Gonzalez! I'll read them all.
greebytime's review against another edition
4.0
Good and unique and well written. It gets a bit expository at times where characters are explaining or telling others about things that doesn’t quite ring true but it’s a clever story, brings attention to situations that warrant attention and a great novel worth your time.
sandramarie08's review against another edition
5.0
So many themes are explored from gentrification, aid relief, wealth disparity, family and relationships, American dream and more!
lcs032345's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn't seem to have a lot going on in it and I prefer a book with a little more action. I made it to page 127 before I gave up.
williamsocnwld's review against another edition
4.0
What a change of pace. I really liked this one! A lot of twists, turns and sassy sibling stuff that played out well. Good job!
bethanygladhill's review against another edition
5.0
Rounded up because I keep thinking about this book. Art always does its job.
lisamadden's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this story and found the weaving of politics and mother abandonment and how that messes kids up, along with true love with someone with their own abandonment issues, kept me wanting to know more. I like books that make me think, and I am left considering how rotten people and politics can be. Is there anything sine people won’t do for money? Greed, gentrification, social status…such damaging factors in our messed up society.