Olga Dies Dreaming is exceptional literary fiction about a Puerto Rican sister and brother living in Sunset Park, NYC. Olga, the sister, is a wedding planner by trade while her brother is the district's congressman. Their father died when they were young and their mother ran away decades ago. Both of their parents were involved in organizations that advocated for Puerto Rican freedom and an end to colonialism. 

The story is told with chapters from the point of view of both Olga and her brother, Pietro, interspersed with fiery letters to them from their mother. In their mother's eyes, neither Olga nor Pietro have done enough to challenge the status quo and liberate PR. The author deftly shows the downsides of extremely militant beliefs and of ignoring the plight of one's own people, all with grace and while allowing the reader to infer as they wish. 

Some might find this book slow, but I thought the rich character building kept it well paced and intriguing. As Pietro struggles with his suppressed identity and Olga strives to find a satisfying relationship while also dealing with her instinct for solitude in difficult times, their family ties both help and harm them. In the end, there is a realistic and beautiful form of healing, one that you must read to experience. 

This book has so much to say and for many of us, so much to teach. I learned so much about the history of PR from this book and about the systemic oppression of the people. Olga Dies Dreaming is a truly beautiful novel that I think defines what a book can accomplish both in terms of literary excellence and broadening the reader's perspective.