Antonia Vega, a retired English professor in Massachusetts, has recently lost her husband, Sam, who died suddenly. She is trying to cope with grief when her sister Izzy disappears, and then a pregnant undocumented woman turns up at her door asking for help. Antonia, a Dominican American who emigrated as a child, turns to poetry and books for comfort. She is torn between her desire to be left alone and the claims of her sisters and neighbors. Julia Alvarez writes a short, reflective novel about loss, family and responsibility to strangers.
It suits readers who like thoughtful contemporary fiction about older women and immigrant families. It is warm and observant, and it includes plenty of literary references. Readers new to the author or subject should find it a manageable place to begin.
Inward-looking, contemplative and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Mindful Reader. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2020
- Language
- EN
