Dominicana by Angie Cruz Book Review

Last updated on October 6, 2020

In Dominicana, Angie Cruz weaves a story from Dominican Republic to New York. It’s a story of family, immigration, ambition, identity.

Ana’s Family

Ana is a captivating girl, with green eyes that stand out. Juan Ruiz sets his eyes on her and playfully asks him to marry her at the age of 11. It’s 4 years later when she’s married off to him. He lives in New York along with two of his brothers, Cesar and Hector, and Ana’s mom has the ambition for the whole family to move to America. Ana is their ticket, one that Ana’s mother cultivates by having Ana write letters to Juan so he doesn’t forget her. In effect, the marriage is a trade. The Ruiz brothers wants Ana’s father’s land to build a restaurant.

Ana’s life in New York

Ana has very little control over anything. She’s 15 years old, pretending to be 19 to match her fake passport. She has no money of her own, no friends when she moves there. Juan may be her husband, but she spends most of her time alone, cooking and cleaning. But she has to make the most of her new life.

Life in Dominican Republic

Ana’s family is poor. Her mother is black and hoped to better her station through marriage but instead, her in-laws disowned them. Now she tries to control everything, with limited success. She has 4 children of her own, and two children started living with her after their parents passed away. Nothing turns out as she expects for any of them.

Ana Blossoms while Juan is Away

While Ana is pregnant, Juan has to go back to Dominican Republic to take care of some family business, Ana blossoms into herself. She’s left to the care of Juan’s brother, Cesar. She gets to do many things that she wasn’t able to do when Juan was home. She also learns the important lesson that that things and people aren’t always what they seem.

Juan Returns to New York

Juan comes back a different man, thinner, more tentative. He also brings good news that Lenny and Ana’s mom are getting visas to visit America. They will arrive before the baby is born. Ana has mixed feelings about her mother’s arrival. She’s happy her mother will help her, but she is not looking forward to her mother’s control.

And just like that I become a child again, and my impulse is to hide the uncooked rice, the slippers, the hangers, the belts, everything Mama can find to hurt me. But I can’t hide her words; they are worse than a horsewhip.

Dominicana

The Story Continues

Ana goes through hours of labor before she gives birth to a baby girl, Altagracia. After 2 days in the hospital, she arrives home to a house full of people celebrating. Juan comments that “stronger than a bull” when someone notices that Ana may need some rest after just having a baby. When the unthinkable happens, Ana’s mother steps in and shows her strength and love for her daughter. She and Ana then weave a new story together.

Final Notes on Dominicana

This is a coming of age story, of identity, poverty, immigration, hope. The child bride elements are disturbing but also reflect a reality for many girls and families in the developing world and elsewhere. I had to keep reminding myself that although Ana is a married woman, she’s really just a child and her behavior was entirely appropriate. I recommend this book and give it 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Do you want to know how the story ends, or have you read Dominicana but forgot the ending (as I tend to do)? In that case, read this post which is full of spoilers.