Olga Dies Dreaming

A Novel

By: Xochitl Gonzalez

Narrated by: Almarie Guerra, Inés del Castillo, Armando Riesco

"All three narrators are Puerto-Rican born and deliver the Spanish passages with musical grace, thereby enhancing an already fine novel." (The Washington Post)

“The narrators’ accents and code-shifting create a vibrant auditory experience. In particular, Guerra’s luscious voice conveys Olga’s transformation from fighter to a compassionate woman as she overcomes dualities and finds wholeness within herself.”–BookPage

A blazing new talent debuts with the story of a status-driven wedding planner grappling with her absent mother, her glittering career amongst New York’s elite, and her Puerto Rican roots in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

It’s 2017, and Olga and her brother, Pedro “Prieto” Acevedo” are bold-faced names in their hometown of New York. Prieto is a popular Congressman representing their gentrifying Latinx neighborhood in Brooklyn while Olga is the tony wedding planner for Manhattan’s powerbrokers.

Despite their alluring public lives, behind closed doors things are far less rosy. Sure, Olga can orchestrate the love stories of the one percent, but she can’t seem to find her own...until she meets Matteo, who forces her to confront the effects of long-held family secrets....

Twenty-seven years ago, their mother, Blanca, a Young Lord-turned-radical, abandoned her children to advance a militant political cause, leaving them to be raised by their grandmother. Now, with the winds of hurricane season, Blanca has come barreling back into their lives.

Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico’s history, Olga Dies Dreaming is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife, and the very notion of the American dream—all while asking what it really means to weather a storm.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

©2022 Xochitl Gonzalez (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

Indie Next Selection for January 2022
Book of the Month Club Selection

“The audiobook is read by three Puerto Rican-born narrators Almarie Guerra, Inés del Castillo, and Armando Riesco, who showcase PR accents and code-switching dynamics to heighten the authenticity and storytelling experience of the book.”—HipLatina

"A fantastically engaging story...Rarely does a novel, particularly a debut novel, contend so powerfully and so delightfully with such a vast web of personal, cultural, political and even international imperatives." —The Washington Post

“Hilarious… A sprawling dramedy of love, politics, blackmail and real estate featuring a Puerto Rican family in Brooklyn." —People

More than a love story!

Amazing story and spot on narration. Worth every penny. Loved the twists and turns of the plot and the complexity of the characters. Makes me want to learn more about Puerto Rico.

Fantastic story

Olga and her family have an amazing story. It's funny and it's both heartbreaking and heartwarming, but it's also relevant to the last several years of all of our lives. More importantly, it's eye-opening to what we lose when we ignore the effects of greed, racism, gentrification, and the needs of those who are forced to rely on our fleeting good will.

Brilliant

This book is Brilliant! I couldn't put it down. This is a necessary read in our times!

Required Reading

Like the history of the US’s indigenous peoples and the African Americans ripped from their homes, this is another part of history that, as US citizens, we should all know. Funny, informative, and with deeply drawn characters, this is a must in my book.

Great Read

I really enjoyed this book. My book club chose it for Hispanic Heritage Month and I am glad they did. Great story and loved the narrator.

Really fantastic

This audio book was really fantastic for many reasons. you simply must experience it for yourself.

Fantastic Latinx-Centered Story

I absolutely loved how layered the characters were. None of them are perfect, but all of them show a different perspective of the Latinx experience, particularly from a Puerto Rican lens. This story beautifully encapsulates the dilemma so many Puerto Rican children know, the battle between making our parents proud, and paving our own paths. Excellently narrated, with an ending that doesn’t leave you feeling like you needed more, but leaves you wishing nothing but the best for the protagonists.

Amazing Story, Great Performances

Loved this book. great story and perfect performances of readers. Loved Olga, Prieto and all the characters, they were so relatable, so real. This author truly has great talent for writing stories that are eye-opening and real. Thank you

LatinX Bella

Perfect for our times d Olga pure strength with weakness as we all have within us! Wonderfully written! As a Mexicana learning more about my Puertorriqueño brothers and sisters. The war within our countries and the tug of the American gentrification of our cultures.

Made me regret every 5 star rating I ever gave

Maybe it’s the Nuyorican in me. I loved this audiobook. It TRULY made me regret every book I gave a 5 star rating.

No matter where in NY…we all know someone with the (bother’s) accent.