Candelaria

From the vibrant mind of Melissa Lozada-Oliva comes "Candelaria", an exuberant tale woven with layers of complexity that pays homage to diasporic roots, the fragility of familial bonds, and the disorienting yearn for belonging. At its core are three women, each grappling with her own identity and place in the world. Bianca, having been betrayed in both love and ambition, struggles to reconcile her past mistakes. Paola, or "Zoe", emerges from the shadows of a decade-long disappearance, her identity molded and reshaped by the confines of a cult. Young Candy finds herself at life's precipice, battling addiction and faced with the unforeseen consequences of a fleeting love affair. In the backdrop of their individual struggles is the steadfast Candelaria, a matriarch with secrets of her own, who's pushed into the fray when calamity strikes. As Boston's very foundations tremble, so too do the familial bonds of the women. To reunite with her granddaughters, Candelaria must navigate a city in chaos, battling not just the physical obstacles, but also the shadows of her past and the enigmatic mission she's destined for at the Old Country Buffet. Lozada-Oliva's writing is both evocative and sharp, blending humor with poignant reflections on identity politics, the intricacies of diaspora, and the perennial quest for a place in the world. With "Candelaria", she crafts a narrative that dances between the mystical and the mundane, exploring how the past's echoes reverberate in the lives of its descendants. Rich with character and teeming with life, "Candelaria" is more than just a tale of three women; it's a testament to the resilience of love, the weight of legacy, and the consuming nature of desire. This is a story that will resonate with anyone who's ever felt adrift in a vast sea, looking for an anchor to call home.

$26.99*