Olga Dies Dreaming

Olga Dies Dreaming is the debut novel of American writer Xochitl Gonzalez. It was published by Flatiron Books in January 2022.

Olga Dies Dreaming
First edition cover
AuthorXochitl Gonzalez
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
PublisherFlatiron Books
Publication date
January 4, 2022
ISBN1-250-78617-7

Writing and development

The idea for the novel occurred to Gonzalez on the Q train in New York City while reading the book The Battle for Paradise by Canadian author Naomi Klein and listening to the song "Rican Beach" by Hurray for the Riff Raff.[1] After leaving the train, Gonzalez went to a Starbucks location, where she wrote the basic concept of the plot on a napkin.[1] The book's title alludes to the Pedro Pietri poem "Puerto Rican Obituary".[2]

While writing, Gonzalez eschewed explaining aspects of Puerto Rican culture for a broader audience, drawing inspiration from the "[...] inside baseball" jokes in Paul Beatty's novel The Sellout.[3]

Critical reception

According to literary review aggregator Book Marks, the novel received mostly "Positive" and "Rave" reviews.[4] In a review in The Washington Post, Ron Charles wrote, "rarely does a novel, particularly a debut novel, contend so powerfully and so delightfully with such a vast web of personal, cultural, political and even international imperatives."[5] Kirkus Reviews called the book "atmospheric, intelligent, and well informed: an impressive debut."[6]

Adaptation

Hulu ordered a pilot for a show based on the novel in early 2021.[7] Gonzalez and Alfonso Gómez-Rejón are producing the pilot which will star Aubrey Plaza as Olga and Ramon Rodriguez as her brother, Prieto.[8][9]

References
  1. Pineda, Dorany (4 January 2022). "From poor kid to elite wedding planner to debut author: Xochitl Gonzalez feels 'divine'". Los Angeles Times.
  2. Shipstead, Maggie (10 January 2022). "The Daughter of a Revolutionary Becomes a Wedding Planner. Drama Ensues". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  3. González-Ramírez, Andrea (10 January 2022). "The Liberation of Olga". The Cut. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  4. "Book Marks reviews of Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez". Book Marks. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  5. "Review | Say 'I do' to Xochitl Gonzalez's 'Olga Dies Dreaming'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
  6. OLGA DIES DREAMING | Kirkus Reviews.
  7. Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (29 April 2021). "Hulu Orders Nuyorican Sibling Drama Pilot 'Olga Dies Dreaming' With Xochitl Gonzalez and Alfonso Gómez-Rejón Producing". Variety. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  8. Otterson, Joe (2021-08-02). "Aubrey Plaza to Star in Hulu Drama Pilot 'Olga Dies Dreaming'". Variety. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
  9. Goldberg, Lesley (2021-08-04). "Ramon Rodriguez Joins Aubrey Plaza in Hulu's 'Olga Dies Dreaming'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
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