top of page
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2020'A story for now, an important story . . .

told with incredible freshness' Martha Lane Fox, Chair of Judges, Women's Prize 2020'The harsh reality of immigration is balanced with a refreshing dose of humour' The Times'This compassionate and ingenious novel has an endearing vibrancy in the storytelling that, page after page, makes it addictive reading' Irish Times'Engrossing . . .

the story itself and Ana, the protagonist are terrifically interesting. Loved this' Roxane Gay'This book is a valentine to my mom and all the unsung Dominicanas like her, for their quiet heroism in making a better life for their families, often at a hefty cost to themselves. Even if Dominicana is a Dominican story, it's also a New York story, and an immigrant story.

When I read parts of Dominicana at universities and literary venues both here and abroad, each time, audience members from all cultures and generations came up to me and said, this is my mother's story, my sister's story, my story' Angie CruzFifteen-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 must 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, dance with Cesar at the Audubon Ballroom, 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, 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.

Dominicana

SKU: 9781529304886
€13.45Price
  • Format

    Paperback / softback
  • Author

    Paperback


You might also be interested in reading ...

Please take a few seconds to read our terms of purchase We are a small indie bookshop with a small team of two people. Orders may thus take longer than from bigger online suppliers. Please allow a minimum of 15 to 20 working days for any items that are not immediately available from stock.  We also ship worldwide.  Get in touch for quotations.  Unless otherwise specified, please assume the product shown is a paperback. Kindly check the ISBN number to confirm the specific edition. Images are for illustrative purposes only so if you require a specific edition for collection purposes please get in touch before placing an order. ​If you require item as a gift, please add a comment at checkout so that any price tags are removed.  Please note that in case of pre-orders, these will only be dispatched after publication date and may be subject to embargos set by the publisher.

bottom of page