BOOK REVIEW: NERUDA ON THE PARK by Cleyvis Natera

 

Synopsis

An exhilarating debut novel following members of a Dominican family in New York City who take radically different paths when faced with encroaching gentrification

The Guerreros have lived in Nothar Park, a predominantly Dominican part of New York City, for twenty years. When demolition begins on a neighboring tenement, Eusebia, an elder of the community, takes matters into her own hands by devising an increasingly dangerous series of schemes to stop construction of the luxury condos. Meanwhile, Eusebia's daughter, Luz, a rising associate at a top Manhattan law firm who strives to live the bougie lifestyle her parents worked hard to give her, becomes distracted by a sweltering romance with the handsome white developer at the company her mother so vehemently opposes.

As Luz's father, Vladimir, secretly designs their retirement home in the Dominican Republic, mother and daughter collide, ramping up tensions in Nothar Park, racing toward a near-fatal climax.

A beautifully layered portrait of family, friendship, and ambition, Neruda on the Park weaves a rich and vivid tapestry of community as well as the sacrifices we make to protect what we love most, announcing Cleyvis Natera as an electrifying new voice.

MY THOUGHTS

My book club picked this title to read for the month of January. Neruda on the Park takes us to Nohar Park where Luz and her parents Eusebia and Vladimir have resided since migrating from the Dominican Republic to the US.

While buildings in the beloved neighbourhood are being torn down to make way for a new development. Luz is at a crossroads, she is navigating the loss of her job as well as new love. Luz represent the typical child of migrant parents from the Caribbean, who having worked hard, wants to see their child succeed. So while Luz is ready to navigate her new life she is at a crossroad especially when she meets the charming Hudson.

Meanwhile Eusebia (Luz'd mom) is hell bent on making sure that the neighbourhood stays as is using any means necessary. But very soon her friends and family realize that all may not be well with this matriarch of the family....

The story line gripped me at once. I love reading stories about gentrification and migration especially stories of the Caribbean diaspora. The struggles and experiences are often very similar. The author of this book is no doubt very talented so the story grips you at once.