A Delicate Marriage
A Delicate Marriage
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From glittering ballrooms to verdant mountains to poverty-stricken slums, A Delicate Marriage takes the reader on a vivid tour of Puerto Rico 40 years after becoming a U.S. colony, a time of great change and political turmoil on the island.
Isabela, a wealthy woman, sacrifices her artistic aspirations to marry Marco, a penniless man dedicated to improving conditions on the island. As the island’s insular government enacts pro-U.S. policies, Marco builds a real estate empire while struggling to maintain his populist principles. Meanwhile, Isabella feels unfulfilled in her traditional role as a wife and mother and becomes disillusioned with Marco’s shifting moral compass. She begins to identify with anti-U.S. factions, leading a dangerous double life that puts her family in peril.
As political violence threatens their paradise, Isabela and Marco question whether their marriage, like the island’s relationship with the U.S., should continue. Margarita Barresi’s debut novel celebrates Puerto Rican culture while delving into themes of class, oppression, and the effects of colonialism through the lens of a marriage.
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“Margarita Barresi’s A Delicate Marriage is an electrifying debut … smart, heartfelt and timely… a trenchant portrait of an island and a marriage pushed to the breaking point. ”
“A Delicate Marriage is an endearing and intricate portrait of a nation, a people, and a marriage, highlighting the collision of our hopes and dreams. ”
“Barresi has written an absorbing and expansive debut that is both atmospheric and politically insightful, giving readers an undeniably intimate look at the volatile history of Puerto Rico, wrapped around a complicated and sweeping love story.”
“Immersive and interesting, empathetic, and expansive, Barresi skillfully interweaves a love story with the history of Puerto Rico politics. An impressive debut!”
“The 1930s and 40s in Puerto Rico come vividly to life in A Delicate Marriage, a finely crafted portrait of a couple tested by class differences and the turbulent politics surrounding the island’s status as a U.S. colony. This novel takes the reader from elegant ballrooms to crushing poverty as it explores two marriages: not just the stormy union of Isabela and Marco, but also the fraught relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. A compelling debut. ”
“Barresi is a naturally gifted storyteller with a talent for narrative structure…What emerges is a fully three-dimensional portrait of a couple trying to find a way forward in a time of political and social upheaval…An absorbing and deeply nuanced romance.”
“Barresi expertly weaves captivating details of Puerto Rican history into this gripping love story.”
“(A) heartfelt and enchanting love story enriched by a historic Puerto Rican backdrop”
“A Delicate Marriage, with its blend of glamour, charm, and a nostalgic nod to a bygone era, promises to uplift readers’ spirits on even the dreariest of days, inviting them to revisit the tempestuous yet enchanting landscape of Puerto Rico.”
“A Delicate Marriage is rife with character and depth and a wonderfully educational look at the history of Puerto Rico.”
“I loved walking through the 1930-1950s with Isabela and Marco, especially because of the setting, which showed the rich, poor, ugly, and beautiful sides of Puerto Rico—a place I’d now love to visit. Barresi’s flair for writing and storytelling made this a wonderful read.”
“A Delicate Marriage offers a captivating exploration of love’s power to transcend societal boundaries while shedding light on the complexities of personal and cultural change within the context of Puerto Rican history. ”
“Libraries and readers interested in either Puerto Rico or a winning story of a couple buffeted by the winds and tides of political change will find A Delicate Marriage compelling, revealing, and thought-provoking. ”
Guest Blog Posts
Yes, I’m Puerto Rican and I’m a U.S. Citizen, Deborah-Zenha Adams Blog
Writing From Real Life, World of My Imagination Blog
From Articles to Novels: The Evolution of My Writing Process, Michelle Cornish Blog
Writing Historical Fiction, Author Anthony Avina’s Blog