A review by bookdragon217
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

"His Papi had always told him that the United States made Puerto Rico's handcuffs, but it was other Puerto Ricans who helped put them on." 
Papi wasn't lying and Papi was probably the wisest character in the entire book. I wanted more of Papi, period. 

I've been holding off on reading Olga Dies Dreaming because I wanted my own experience with it, raw and untainted. The marketing on this one is misleading. The description of the show is more accurate in that it's about two siblings living in gentrified Brooklyn. 

The beginning introduced me to lots of characters, mostly unlikable which I don't ever mind as long as it's leading somewhere. The first half felt like the soup was brewing but I didn't need the sazon, adobo, sofrito and the achiote at the same time. I don't fault the author for this but the editor dropped the ball because it felt a little too messy. However, Xochitl's ability to portray Brooklyn as its own character was brilliant. That was the journey that felt the most real to me. The character of Blanca was one of my favorites because she was the most developed and spoke so honestly about being Puerto Rican, expectations of women and motherhood and rips the bandaid off to uncover the true status of Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican history and social commentary sprinkled throughout the pages is what gave this book its' unique flavor and why it is such a necessary read at this time. 
The second half of the book completely boiled over and shifts the focus to a dark plot about Hurricane Maria, neocolonialism, revolution, corporate greed and violence in various forms. I felt triggered and disoriented because it was not a smooth transition but then again the U.S. violently occupied Puerto Rico, refuses to leave and continues to commit all types of genocide on the people of the island. To see the POV of the white rich people that continue to steal our land and livelihood is one that you often don't see in books today. Bravo to Xochitl for being bold in that choice. 

Although, this book felt like two different books at the same time I appreciated what it had to say about motherhood, colonialism, liberation and gentrification. 

To be clear, I did not hate this book. I think it is timely and necessary and speaks boldly about Puerto Rican history that has completely either been erased or whitewashed. I do think it offers much value. However, I would be remiss if I did not point out where this book had moments of insensitivity and got cringey. 

 This novel takes place in contemporary NY and the language choices around substance use, HIV awareness and sexual assault did not sit right with me because the instances added to more stigma rather than provide insight and empathy. It read like language that has been historically been used by elite Whites especially, to further marginalize certain groups and dehumanize them. Papi was repeatedly called a "junkie" or "crackhead" and dehumanized with no exploration into his backstop. His identity was that of having AIDS and being a drug user. The use of the word "AIDS" in such a violent way by several characters was off putting especially in the ways it was being weaponzied by the characters in 2017 setting. I see what the intent was but because the issues stayed surface level nothing new new was added to the narratives about substance use and HIV. In fact, it didn't even build empathy for the character who was most affected. Papi definitely didn't deserve that treatment as well. Therr is also a sexual assault that was also hard to read because of the choices that were made. It felt like the abuser got to walk away without repercussions and made it feel like dramatic effect only. 

After all is said and done, Olga Dies Dreaming is effective in shedding light on the history of Puerto Rico and U.S. relations. It makes you reflect on how mainland Puerto Ricans can be complicit and how important it is for Puerto Ricans on the island be the ones who determine their fate and future. I commend Xochitl for such an undertaking and I will definitely be reading her future books. My final thoughts on this one are to read the book, heed the trigger warnings and don't be afraid to have the critical.conversations that this one will spark. Thanks to @flatironbooks for the gifted book. 
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