Esmeralda Santiago Knihy

It's 1996, and América Gonzalez is a hotel housekeeper on Vieques, an island off the coast of Puerto Rico, cleaning up after wealthy foreigners who don't look her in the eye. Her alcoholic mother resents her; her married boyfriend, Correa, beats her; and their fourteen-year-old daughter thinks life would be better anywhere but with América. So when América is offered the chance to work as a live-in housekeeper and nanny for a family in Westchester, New York, she takes it as a sign to finally make the escape she's been longing for. Yet, even as América revels in the comparative luxury of her new life--daring to care about a man other than Correa--she is faced with the disquieting realization that no matter what she does, she can never really escape her past. Deftly written and fiercely resilient, this novel explores the ever-shifting definition of what it means to be American and exemplifies the spirit of every immigrant who has dared to realize the American dream. --Chicago Tribune

In this first volume of her much-praised, bestselling trilogy, Esmeralda Santiago's story begins in rural Puerto Rico from the barrio to Brooklyn to high honors at Harvard

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Puerto Rico, the story follows Ana Larragoity Cubillas, who is inspired by her ancestor's diaries to leave Spain for a new life. After marrying Ramon, she arrives at Hacienda los Gemelos, only to face the upheaval of the Civil War. As tensions rise, Ana's privileged existence is challenged by the lives of the enslaved people on the plantation, whose narratives intertwine with hers. This epic tale explores themes of love, discovery, and the complexities of wealth and morality.

Set against the backdrop of Puerto Rico and the Bronx, this powerful novel explores the intertwined lives of five women, delving into themes of family, race, faith, and sexuality. As their stories unfold, a shared secret emerges, revealing the complexities of their relationships and the challenges they face. The narrative, rich with emotional depth, highlights the struggles and resilience of these women, offering a poignant reflection on identity and connection.