Title: SONG OF THE BORICUA
Author: Olivia Castillo
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 335
Genre: Fiction
Author: Olivia Castillo
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 335
Genre: Fiction
BOOK BLURB:
Elena: Resilient and ambitious, but trapped by duty to her children.
Maria: Passionate and headstrong, but married to a man she does not
love. Josephina: Optimistic and romantic, but in love with an alcoholic.
Isabella: Clairvoyant and spiritual, but denies her heritage and roots.
Like the land these women are held hostage, unfulfilled and unable to
find their happiness. Each generation like the land is cursed. Can they
defy the powerful bond of the curse and free themselves to find love
everlasting?
New Author, Olivia Castillo, like the jibaros of the past weaves a
tale of sorrow and joy. Castillos’ fiction is timely, offering a glimpse
into the islands rich history and offering insight into the story that
has plagued women for all of time, the search for true love and
acceptance of self.
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Staring at Maria’s dress, Delia sarcastically added, “And look at you, her majesty, queen of the cucarachas!” Delia did a mocking half-curtsy while feeling a pang of jealousy sweep over her. She had her charms but she was not the beauty of the family; she was considered the “smart” one.
Corinna hid behind the rickety kitchen table, locking eyes with Maria as she dramatically stuck her tongue out at her. Maria lunged toward Corinna, who dodged past her, running from the kitchen. She wasn’t about to let her other arm get slashed to pieces by Maria’s temper.
All three of them froze when they heard the rattling of the heavy locks that secured the front door. Maria rushed back into the bedroom, while Corinna ran straight to the heavy front door and quickly undid the chains.
“Mami!” Corinna shouted, running toward her exhausted mother with crocodile tears. “Look what Maria did!” Corinna pouted, raising her scratched arm as she hugged her mother.
After kissing her youngest child and examining her arm, Elena yelled at Delia, “¡Ay, Dios mío! I leave you in charge and look what happens!”
Delia rolled her eyes behind her mother’s back. Elena sighed, too tired to be mad, and with Corinna still holding onto her, she kissed Delia on her cheek. Both girls let go of their mother to allow her to sit down. Elena took off her coat, unraveled her scarf, and pulled her gloves off her red, worn hands. “Where is Maria?” she asked.
“Coming, Mami,” Maria shouted from the bedroom. Delia, ladling a decent amount of the sizzling arroz con pollo into a bowl, set it down on the table in front of her mother. “For the beautiful Doña Elena Sierra,” Delia said, hoping to get on her mother’s good side.
Elena smiled, visibly softening toward her eldest. Not wanting to ruffle Elena’s feathers any further, Delia grabbed a sulking Corinna and left the kitchen. Elena experienced her first moment of solitude. Sadness swept over her as she stared at the carefully prepared dinner.
She turned on the small radio that was in the kitchen and immediately turned it up when she heard that they were talking about the repeal of the Gag Law—Ley de la Mordaza—in Puerto Rico. Emotions she had forgotten rose to the surface as she recalled the law that disallowed anyone to speak ill of the US government, talk of Puerto Rican independence, wave a Puerto Rican flag, form a political group, or hand out or publish literature speaking of independence.
She thought of the island, of her mami and papi, and the kitchen faded away as Elena contemplated the current state of her life. This was not what she had envisioned for her children, or herself. Memories flooded her mind as she began to remember her childhood.
Olivia Castillo is a New York
native. After going to the prestigious Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of
Music & Art and Performing Arts, she went on to study graphic design at
Otis Parson's College in Los Angeles. Along with being an entrepreneur, she is
the mother of three children, and grandmother of two. When not writing or
spending time with her family, she travels the world and paints. Song
of the Boricua is her first novel.
native. After going to the prestigious Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of
Music & Art and Performing Arts, she went on to study graphic design at
Otis Parson's College in Los Angeles. Along with being an entrepreneur, she is
the mother of three children, and grandmother of two. When not writing or
spending time with her family, she travels the world and paints. Song
of the Boricua is her first novel.
Website Address: www.oliviacastillo.org
Blog Address: https://www.oliviacastillo.org/blog
Twitter Address: https://twitter.com/oliviacauthor
Facebook Address: https://www.facebook.com/songoftheboricua/
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Email: thewriterslife@gmail.com
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