Angie Cruz Books

Fifteen-year-old Ana Canción never dreamed of moving to America, the way the girls she grew up with in the Dominican countryside did. But when Juan Ruiz proposes and promises to take her to New York City, she has to say yes. Their marriage is an opportunity for her entire close-knit family to eventually immigrate. So on New Year's Day, 1965, Ana leaves behind everything she knows and becomes Ana Ruiz, a wife confined to a cold six-floor walk-up in Washington Heights. Lonely and miserable, Ana hatches a reckless plan to escape. But at the bus terminal, she is stopped by César, Juan's free-spirited younger brother, who convinces her to stay. As the Dominican Republic slides into political turmoil, Juan returns to protect his family's assets, leaving César to take care of Ana. Suddenly, Ana is free to take English lessons at a local church, lie on the beach at Coney Island, see a movie at Radio City Music Hall, go dancing with César, and imagine the possibility of a different kind of life in America. When Juan returns, Ana must decide once again between her heart and her duty to her family

The act of playing the gèuira serves as a poignant reminder for Angâelica of her cherished connections, particularly with her grandfather in the Dominican Republic. This musical instrument evokes memories of love and loss, highlighting themes of family, heritage, and nostalgia. Through her music, Angâelica navigates her emotions and the distance that separates her from her roots.

From the author of the Women's Prize-shortlisted Dominicana comes an inventive, funny and deeply moving new novel about a Dominican-American woman who has lost her job, her son, and her sense of purpose but is fighting to get it all back.

An evocative story of family from the Women's Prize shortlisted author of Dominicana

A sweeping novel about love, loss and family from the Women's Prize shortlisted author of Dominicana