Dominicana

A Novel

By: Angie Cruz

Narrated by: Coral Peña

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA COVER TO COVER BOOK CLUB PICK

This program includes a bonus conversation with the author.

Named a Most Anticipated Book by The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, O Magazine, Time, Real Simple, Chicago Review of Books, Kirkus Reviews, Nylon, BuzzFeed, Lit Hub, The Millions, Instyle, Bustle, Refinery29, Hello Giggles, AARP, Domino

"Coral Pena's strong delivery is a breath of fresh air...a master of accents and emotion, bringing genuine pathos to the story." — AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner

Fifteen-year-old Ana Cancion 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. It doesn’t matter that he is twice her age, that there is no love between them. 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 Cesar, 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 Cesar 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 Cesar, 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.

In bright, musical prose that reflects the energy of New York City, Angie Cruz's Dominicana is a vital portrait of the immigrant experience and the timeless coming-of-age story of a young woman finding her voice in the world.

Praise for Dominicana:

“Through a novel with so much depth, beauty, and grace, we, like Ana, are forever changed.” —Jacqueline Woodson, Vanity Fair

“Gorgeous writing, gorgeous story.” —Sandra Cisneros

I love this book!! The depth and the production.

loved it. funny, loving, insightful, tender...took me into the DR and Washington Heights - 1960's.

Representation is important

Dominicana is a great story that tells the Dominican immigrant story of the 60s masterfully.

A perfect portrait.

I love how Angie so stubbornly places the reader in three geographical and emotional contexts: the Dominican Republic of 1965, the New York of 1965 and Dominican Republic in New York or the Dominican-York fusion. I saw the whole movie in my head and only because of Angie’s ability to describe so elegantly, precise, touching. Far from tiring, these descriptive journey helped me connect with each character. I hated Juan a little too much, a little less at times. I was proud of Ana. I loved César. I revisited my history, learned a lot as well. Coral’s job is amazing! Her voice, so suitable. Thank you Coral for an excellent performance. Thank you Angie for this vivid, colorful, history-fiction-permeated portrait of nuestra dominicanidad.

Captivating

Amazing narration! Angie Cruz does an amazing job of weaving the Dominican into American experience. Highly recommend.

Memories

I could hear my Tia’s in this story. It brought happiness and tears to hear this story. I so want to be able to hear my mother’s voice and through this story and heard it. Write more!!