Introduction to Dominicana by Angie Cruz
kevinrunsblog.com– Dominicana & This Is Memorial Device: Two Unique Reads. The sticker on the front of Angie Cruz’s third novel Dominicana informs readers that it was shortlisted for The Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2020. Indeed, it is in fine company. Interestingly, I’ve matured enough as a reader to no longer naively believe that books written by female authors are aimed solely at women readers. Sometimes, publishers may mislead with color schemes or cover art. Nevertheless, for me, a book is a book.
Initial Impressions and Personal Connection
So, what did I find when I opened the cover to start Dominicana? Nicky, my gorgeous lady, had already enjoyed getting lost in this book. Naturally, she eagerly awaited my thoughts.
A Story Rooted in Personal Experience
From the outset, the story feels personal. Angie Cruz drew on the experiences of her own mother and other families to inform and inspire the tale. In the story, a fifteen-year-old girl in the Dominican Republic is left with no choice but to say yes to a marriage proposal and head to New York. Ana, the main character, is hardly taken with Juan, her now-husband, nor with the prospect of life in New York. However, she is fulfilling her family’s dream of immigration.
Ana’s Journey: From the Dominican Republic to New York
Angie Cruz portrays Ana’s voice as tender and innocent from the start. Furthermore, the writing is crisp, direct, and carries a marvelous dark humor underneath. For example, Ana sees her sister fall in love, and she sets her heart (and body) on a tender local boy who seems determined to love her. Although these moments are brief, they leave a deep understanding of Ana’s heart as she prepares to leave.
The Complexities of Marriage and Migration
Moreover, the story of Ana’s life in New York, her marriage, and her encounters as she finds her way is riveting. As a reader who enjoys modern New York stories, it offers a revealing insight into how the city’s racial makeup evolved. Set against the backdrop of a civil war back home in the Dominican Republic and the aftermath of Malcolm X’s assassination, the narrative unfolds on the very street where Ana ends up living.
The Broader Impact of Dominicana
The story is intimate and, at times, torturous—a marriage of agreement played out in a city coming to terms with its changing demographics. Indeed, the pains and betrayals are cleverly portrayed through Ana’s eyes.
Beyond Ana’s small victories and defeats in her day-to-day existence, the story delves into greater issues of family, loyalty, and the lengths people go to at the expense of others’ feelings. Even though the story is set 56 years ago, it feels vibrant, fresh, and important.
In fact, Cruz has delved so deeply into her family’s history that it comes through in the narration and dialogue. Every word, every thought, and every emotion are delicately paced in the text. Undoubtedly, as absorbed as I was in the book, I wore a slightly furrowed brow as Ana’s world became occasionally unbearable.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
Finally, this fine book is made even better for me (as an aspiring novelist) by the thorough list of acknowledgments and the history offered in the back. These elements provide a wonderful insight into the amount of work that goes into producing such a compelling piece of fiction.
Honestly, have a read.
Introduction to This Is Memorial Device by David Keenan
What can I say? I read This Is Memorial Device in just a couple of days, despite a busy work schedule, so I must have loved it! This book is a must-read for fans of the post-punk music scene, particularly those interested in the chaotic and creative energy of early 1980s Airdrie.
Setting the Scene
This Is Memorial Device is a novel that delves deep into the fictional post-punk music scene in Airdrie. Interestingly, the setting is entirely fictional, yet it’s told as a sort of documentary. The narrative is compiled by two fictional, non-journalistic types, creating a wonderfully chaotic atmosphere. As the story unfolds, it is pieced together through conversations, interviews, letters, and memories, capturing the short-lived existence of the band, This Is Memorial Device.
Unordered Chronology and Intricate Details
Moreover, the novel does not follow an ordered chronology, which is a perfect fit for the chaotic nature of the story. The level of detail is so immersive that I often had to remind myself it’s fiction. Additionally, the book includes appendices like a discography and a list of all the bands and derivatives in Airdrie during the period covered.
A Cacophony of Voices
Furthermore, the story is a cacophony of random noise and features an entourage of bizarre narrators. Each narrator offers a psychedelic take on the music, relationships, and the band itself. These voices include friends, family members, lovers, members of other bands, and the curators themselves. If one narrator irritates you, don’t worry; another will take over soon, offering a fresh perspective.
Carnage and Prose
Having briefly been in a band myself, I enjoyed the interplay between the characters and found myself smiling at the ensuing carnage. However, the chaos in this book is on a whole new level. The prose is vivid and descriptive, filled with dreamy and figurative metaphor—except when it comes to the explicit descriptions of love, which are admirably detailed.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I’ve never read anything quite like This Is Memorial Device. I was completely engrossed in the story and devoured it in just a couple of days. However, this is not a book you can casually fall into; instead, you need to be ready to engage with its chaotic and unpredictable narrative. Therefore, if you’re looking for something unique to challenge your reading brain, and if you appreciate references to the post-punk era, I’d highly recommend giving this book a try.