The Debut Review: OLGA DIES DREAMING by Xochitl Gonzalez (11/8/21)

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In OLGA DIES DREAMING, Xochitl Gonzalez has written a sparkling and insightful debut that vividly captures the absurdity of life with wit and wisdom. This love letter to Brooklyn is an atmospheric family drama that puts a tender and humorous spin on the tale of a woman fighting for love, happiness, and fulfillment while dealing with the complexities of money, class, politics, and the American Dream. Xochitl Gonzalez uses her own background of being raised by her grandmother in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, attending New York City public schools, and then becoming a prominent wedding planner in NYC.

In OLGA DIES DREAMING, Olga and her brother Pedro are big names in New York–Pedro, the popular congressman that represents their gentrifying Latinx neighborhood, and Olga, the upscale wedding planner for Manhattan’s elite. But, out of the eyes of the public, their lives aren’t all glamor and joy. During one of the most devastating hurricanes that Puerto Rico has seen, Olga and Pedro will have to confront the effects of long-held family secrets, their familial strife, political corruption, and what it really means to weather a storm.

Today we are joined once again by Xochitl Gonzalez (know more to listen to Xochitl speak at our Winter 2022 Librarian preview), but first take a look at what other fellow librarians have to say about this impressive debut:

“I thought OLGA DIES DREAMING is a powerful story of finding your voice and community with love to Puerto Rico and Brooklyn. Latin roots family drama meets Brooklyn grassroots politics.”–Kim McGee, Lake Travis Community Library

“Xochitl Gonzalez’s stunning debut OLGA DIES DREAMING is an irresistible mix of family drama, secrets revealed, and vividly drawn, sympathetic characters who kept me completely engrossed from the first page to the last.”–Mara Fass, Champaign Public Library

And now, hear from Xochitl herself!

OLGA DIES DREAMING by Xochitl Gonzalez ; 9781250786173; 1/4/22.

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