An interview with Xochitl Gonzalez, author of the debut novel, Olga Dies Dreaming (Flatiron Books, 2022). Xochitl and I discuss the unique narrative perspective that a wedding planner has on American privilege and inequality, the gentrification of Brooklyn, the rich and wealthy colonizers of Puerto Rico post- la Promesa, Nuyorican culture as the creole of NYC, and so much more.

Xochitl Recommends:

Cho Nam Joo, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982: A Novel
Lan Samantha Chang, All is Forgotten, Nothing is Lost
----. The Family Chao
Junot Diaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Xochitl Gonzalez, "Olga Dies Dreaming" (Flatiron Books, 2022)