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A review by nini23
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
3.75
From the first chapter involving linen napkins at a posh wedding, we are introduced to Olga's acerbic wit, verve and sharp business sense. Hulu has ordered a one hour pilot of Olga Dies Dreaming and I hope that whoever is picked to depict Olga shows her cynicism and stylishness with vulnerability underneath well.
Olga Dies Dreaming is also a love letter to Brooklyn, New York specifically Sunset Park where the protagonists Nuyorican brother Prieto and sister Olga grew up in. Neighbourhoods, streets and local businesses are lovingly and nostalgically described. Prieto is the local politician of the area, through him the clashing interests of conglomerates cashing in on gentrification versus the old inhabitants and vendors of the Puerto Rican and POC community plays out. We are also introduced to the large boisterous extended family of tías, tíos, primas, abuelita such that by the end, we feel we know each of them personally. Spanish nestles comfortably and naturally amidst English in conversations and letters, the latter being the main way the siblings' mother communicates with them.
This mother abandoned them to their father and ggrandmother's care to join revolutionary socialist groups such as the Young Lords and zapatistas. I have yet to read a book where a woman who detests motherhood and feels it constrains her is not vilified and this book is no different. Thus here women are relegated to having the 'mothering gene' or not, with clear biased judgment on who's good and bad. Nurturing, cooking, focus on family - good. Following one's passion, having ideals, neglecting family, wanting to change the world, becoming an exceptional person - bad and 'selfish.' In certain fields, to rise to the top and make a mark on human history, one has to be single-minded in the pursuit of the goal. Women have been sold a rotten bill of goods that they can have it all and consequently, try to be all. Thus the novel does a odd sideways split where the cause and injustices that Puerto Ricans have endured is championed but the woman fighting fervently for their cause is condemned as deranged and manipulative. Her disinterest in her granddaughter is highlighted in the family as the ultimate evidence of her 'crimes.' The novel makes sure to stress that even when the cause succeeds in Puerto Rico, it's not due to her efforts but grassroots community, thus ensuring that what she invested her time and passion in is in vain while the all important la familia she SHOULD have chosen has their heartwarming bonding moments. This simplistic reduction of womanhood will translate well onto the screen /s.
The events and issues that Puerto Rico faces featured in the book are non-fictional and likely unknown to most Americans: the fight for statehood (can enroll in wars but cannot vote), PROMESA, corporations exploiting tax free status, abysmal response for disaster support post-Hurricane Maria, the uncovering of contemptuous emails of the governor forced to resign from community fury etc. While Pietro and Olga are wrestling with the maelstrom of their personal lives, Hurricane Maria lands with its widespread destruction on the island. Power lost, homes destroyed, lack of drinking water and medication. Lackluster help from the mainland is compounded by a childish tantrum visit from the orange menace. I still remember shaking my head in disbelief at that time reading newspapers of his ridiculous fight with the mayor. The resilience and stoicism of the Puerto Rican people rings true though a large number also moved to the mainland due to lack of public facilities on the island.
Of the many themes and issues in the book, I feel that queerness is given short shrift. When a character finally comes out of the closet after many years, his family nonchalantly says we knew all along and accepts it with equanimity. Minimal fallout too at his job where he had made major sacrifices to keep his secret. It minimizes the anguish and justification for him to have stayed hidden all these years. An anticlimactic 'aren't you silly with all your worries, see, everything's fine after you came out' vibe. The doctor instructs him 'not to sulk' while waiting for his HIV test result. Another gay character is tsk tsked for committing suicide after learning he is HIV positive. There are so many effective treatments now, it's not the life sentence it once was, the non-queer characters say. Meanwhile, a lesbian aunt is content to stay silent all her life without coming out while fulfilling her cooking and nurturing role in the family.
Where the book shines is with Olga and the racism, sexism and misogyny that Latinx women like her face. White wealthy Americans are happy to have her as their upscale wedding planner as long as she stays within her ascribed role. They drop her like a hot potato once she shows her 'spicy' side. Dick (appropriately named), Olga's somewhat love interest, may be written simplistically but his behaviour is typical of his kind. Matteo, on the other hand, is written like a Harlequin romance character. Even his 'flaw' which is hoarding turns out to be endearing and helpful to Olga. In typical romance book fashion, he reveals he is actually quite wealthy contrary to his scruffy appearance but his wealth comes from a good stream, not the capitalist exploiting kind /s. He's a neighbourhood hero rescuing them all from gentrification! This male hero swooping rescue minimizes the financial ramifications for Olga in speaking her truth.
The personality traits of Olga and Pietro are rather gender subversive with Pietro being the people pleaser and Olga the sassy fearless one. However, I was disappointed that Olga's relationship commitmophobia is attributed to the typical 'don't know how to love because didn't receive love while growing up.' Her hard exterior covers a lonely scared woman. Pietro's character development arc is also similarly predictable. Both are screwed up because evil mami didn't stay and sacrifice her dreams for them. Papi, however, is given a pass because alcoholism, AIDS, IV drug use.
Olga Dies Dreaming is compulsively readable and highlights important issues that Americans should know about.
Interview with the author: https://www.thecommononline.org/reclaiming-brooklyn-and-puerto-rico-an-interview-with-xochitl-gonzalez/
Olga Dies Dreaming is also a love letter to Brooklyn, New York specifically Sunset Park where the protagonists Nuyorican brother Prieto and sister Olga grew up in. Neighbourhoods, streets and local businesses are lovingly and nostalgically described. Prieto is the local politician of the area, through him the clashing interests of conglomerates cashing in on gentrification versus the old inhabitants and vendors of the Puerto Rican and POC community plays out. We are also introduced to the large boisterous extended family of tías, tíos, primas, abuelita such that by the end, we feel we know each of them personally. Spanish nestles comfortably and naturally amidst English in conversations and letters, the latter being the main way the siblings' mother communicates with them.
This mother abandoned them to their father and ggrandmother's care to join revolutionary socialist groups such as the Young Lords and zapatistas. I have yet to read a book where a woman who detests motherhood and feels it constrains her is not vilified and this book is no different. Thus here women are relegated to having the 'mothering gene' or not, with clear biased judgment on who's good and bad. Nurturing, cooking, focus on family - good. Following one's passion, having ideals, neglecting family, wanting to change the world, becoming an exceptional person - bad and 'selfish.' In certain fields, to rise to the top and make a mark on human history, one has to be single-minded in the pursuit of the goal. Women have been sold a rotten bill of goods that they can have it all and consequently, try to be all. Thus the novel does a odd sideways split where the cause and injustices that Puerto Ricans have endured is championed but the woman fighting fervently for their cause is condemned as deranged and manipulative. Her disinterest in her granddaughter is highlighted in the family as the ultimate evidence of her 'crimes.' The novel makes sure to stress that even when the cause succeeds in Puerto Rico, it's not due to her efforts but grassroots community, thus ensuring that what she invested her time and passion in is in vain while the all important la familia she SHOULD have chosen has their heartwarming bonding moments. This simplistic reduction of womanhood will translate well onto the screen /s.
The events and issues that Puerto Rico faces featured in the book are non-fictional and likely unknown to most Americans: the fight for statehood (can enroll in wars but cannot vote), PROMESA, corporations exploiting tax free status, abysmal response for disaster support post-Hurricane Maria, the uncovering of contemptuous emails of the governor forced to resign from community fury etc. While Pietro and Olga are wrestling with the maelstrom of their personal lives, Hurricane Maria lands with its widespread destruction on the island. Power lost, homes destroyed, lack of drinking water and medication. Lackluster help from the mainland is compounded by a childish tantrum visit from the orange menace. I still remember shaking my head in disbelief at that time reading newspapers of his ridiculous fight with the mayor. The resilience and stoicism of the Puerto Rican people rings true though a large number also moved to the mainland due to lack of public facilities on the island.
Of the many themes and issues in the book, I feel that queerness is given short shrift. When a character finally comes out of the closet after many years, his family nonchalantly says we knew all along and accepts it with equanimity. Minimal fallout too at his job where he had made major sacrifices to keep his secret. It minimizes the anguish and justification for him to have stayed hidden all these years. An anticlimactic 'aren't you silly with all your worries, see, everything's fine after you came out' vibe. The doctor instructs him 'not to sulk' while waiting for his HIV test result. Another gay character is tsk tsked for committing suicide after learning he is HIV positive. There are so many effective treatments now, it's not the life sentence it once was, the non-queer characters say. Meanwhile, a lesbian aunt is content to stay silent all her life without coming out while fulfilling her cooking and nurturing role in the family.
Where the book shines is with Olga and the racism, sexism and misogyny that Latinx women like her face. White wealthy Americans are happy to have her as their upscale wedding planner as long as she stays within her ascribed role. They drop her like a hot potato once she shows her 'spicy' side. Dick (appropriately named), Olga's somewhat love interest, may be written simplistically but his behaviour is typical of his kind. Matteo, on the other hand, is written like a Harlequin romance character. Even his 'flaw' which is hoarding turns out to be endearing and helpful to Olga. In typical romance book fashion, he reveals he is actually quite wealthy contrary to his scruffy appearance but his wealth comes from a good stream, not the capitalist exploiting kind /s. He's a neighbourhood hero rescuing them all from gentrification! This male hero swooping rescue minimizes the financial ramifications for Olga in speaking her truth.
The personality traits of Olga and Pietro are rather gender subversive with Pietro being the people pleaser and Olga the sassy fearless one. However, I was disappointed that Olga's relationship commitmophobia is attributed to the typical 'don't know how to love because didn't receive love while growing up.' Her hard exterior covers a lonely scared woman. Pietro's character development arc is also similarly predictable. Both are screwed up because evil mami didn't stay and sacrifice her dreams for them. Papi, however, is given a pass because alcoholism, AIDS, IV drug use.
Olga Dies Dreaming is compulsively readable and highlights important issues that Americans should know about.
Interview with the author: https://www.thecommononline.org/reclaiming-brooklyn-and-puerto-rico-an-interview-with-xochitl-gonzalez/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Racism
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug use, and Suicide