A stream-of-consciousness coming-of-age story about the dream of America, this debut novel opens in the summer before Catalina Ituralde's senior year at Harvard. Born in Ecuador, the lone survivor of a car accident that killed her parents, she was sent as a child to the US to live with her also-undocumented grandparents. Now, before she can come of age, she's got to figure her shit out. As a young person impacted by DACA and the DREAM Act, Catalina's got to figure out where to aim her voice. And that is where author Karla Cornejo Villavicencio shines -- character and voice. Catalina's voice charms, flusters, humors, shames, and rips the seams. Her inner monolog weaves in sharp commentary on class, racial divisions, and America's immigration system as she infiltrates and embeds within the elite subcultures of Harvard. 

[Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]

This story is timely and provides a story for others in this country with similar status. The writing style is a bit different than I am used to and different than what I prefer for my own reading enjoyment. However, the writing style may prompt reflection as readers read this story. I do think I would recommend to upper high school students as they explore their own future plans. Thank you to NetGalley for an early ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Villavicencio's debut The Undocumented Americans was so powerful. Catalina has a different feel (almost a stream of consciousness) but via a
fictional memoir explores some of the same themes, particularly the challenges of being an undocumented American.

*My review in full will only be shared on Goodreads and a mini review shared on Instagram. I do not give full reviews for books 2 stars and under as to respect those who have given favorable reviews.

I definitely felt like "it's me, I'm the problem" as I was reading this story. What I mean by that is as a reader, I felt like the story itself was fine but I had some issues with the formating- there are no chapters, just parts with almost endless streams of consciousness. You get one event of Catalina's life in detail and then the next few paragraph are throw backs and then the next is back to the present. The dialogue between Catalina and those around her I felt was rather inpersonal. I felt unattached to all of the characters in the story, including Catalina our protagonist.

Catalina is an undocumented American living in the mid 2000s-2010s and after unbelievable odds has found herself at Harvard- in the Anthropology department. I was rather drawn to this aspect of the story as I am an archaeologist and very familiar with at least some of the context of the story. Catalina lives with her undocument grandparents as well and is an orphan, having come to the US as a child. Mid-story, misfortune strikes and her grandfather is facing deportation.

I felt all of Catalina's relationships odd- it seems she was very reactionary. She would say things and do things (bait?) to get a rise or reaction of others, including her friends and family around her that made me uncomfortable. Some of the lines though were beautiful and I could definitely see fans of Rooney or Mellors really identifying with this book.

It just sadly wasn't meant for me and that's okay!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and One Word Random House Publishing for the copy!

I really enjoyed the writing style. I decided to listen to the audiobook and it was fantastic on audio. This made me want to go back and read Karla's last book!

I was pretty underwhelmed with this book. It is not my kind of novel, it is a lot of musings and not a lot of plot. The way the character's musings are presented felt a lot like they could've been an essay but were thinly veiled as fiction. I loved KCV's nonfiction and feel her writing is stronger in that form and that this book was trying to do that in fiction that didn't land for me.

Catalina Ituralde is a student at Harvard University and her whole family's hopes and dreams rest on her success at Harvard and beyond. She's also undocumented and this causes challenges and stresses that her peers can't begin to imagine or understand. Set in the days before DACA, the novel explores themes of belonging, privilege, identity, and cultural appropriation. At times, Catalina seems almost (understandably) detached from her own story, and this gives the novel a dream-like quality. I didn't love it, but I can appreciate that Catalina (the novel) is an important contribution to our understanding of what it means to be undocumented in the U.S. and gives voice to those experiences.

Villavicencio's writing is disconcertingly evocative, inserting the reader not just into the story, but truly into the mind of our eponymous protagonist, Catalina. The writing feels deeply personal in a way that challenges readers and their perceptions, while bringing to light a story that so critically needs to be told.

Catalina is a novel following a young woman who is undocumented. Catalina came to the United States from Ecuador to live with her grandparents after the tragic death of her mother and father. Catalina is a student at Harvard. As she navigates this environment, she is also dealing with her undocumented status and what it will mean for her future.

Cornejo Villavicencio's The Undocumented Americans was one of my favorite books in 2020 so I was so excited to read Catalina! Catalina gives an important voice to characters we don't always see in fiction, people who are undocumented in the United States. Catalina reflects a young woman who has made it to a coveted spot in American society by being a student at Harvard. While Catalina has found her place at Harvard working at a museum and writing her dissertation, she is also astounded by the people around her and their lifestyles. In so many ways Catalina fits in and has a way of charming everyone around her, but she is also aware if how out of touch these people are.

Catalina is written in a stream of consciousness style. You read about Catalina working, going to school, and interacting with the people around her, but you also get to the depths of her thoughts and feelings as she discusses her past, her family, and her thoughts on all of the things she is going through. Catalina felt like such a unique read because of this. I loved being in Catalina's head, experiencing everything through her amusing and sometimes dramatic point of view.

While this writing style may not be for everyone, I absolutely loved it and this book solidified my love for this author and her storytelling.

Thank you One World and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a wonderful novel and I’m surprised at how much was packed into just over 200 pages. I really liked Catalina’s voice and even the minutiae of her days felt interesting; the prose is clear and lovely. I enjoyed the way this story was told and though I don’t think a whole lot of time was spent on descriptions, the characters all felt real and the portrait painted was stark. Catalina reminds me why I love contemporary literary fiction, and while there were definitely points where my attention wandered a bit, it’s still an excellent novel and well worth the read.

This is a delightful stream-of-conscious style book. We’re just vibing with Catalina as she navigates being an undocumented immigrant attending Harvard in her final year, struggling in her relationship with her (also undocumented) grandparents and with the weight of her unknown future. She’s dry and witty and full of raw honesty. I loved being in her mind as she jumped from thought to thought. She felt so real as a person, which make sense, as I believe this is semi-autobiographical. There’s some plot but it ends up mostly unresolved, so I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who doesn’t love character-driven open-ended books. I don’t typically reach for this style, but I think that this was so well done, especially as a debut novel

An intriguing, deeply personal campus novel about a year in the life of an undocumented Ecuadorian American student at Harvard. Catalina feels so real and complicated and intricately crafted in a way that makes the reader feel like you really know her. I was drawn in right away and still wanted to sit with the characters and story long after it was finished.

"Catalina" delves into the intricacies of an immigrant's journey, from Ecuador to Harvard, navigating identity, love, and humor amidst challenges. Catalina's narrative, born of tragedy yet imbued with resilience, offers a poignant exploration of her multifaceted emotions. The book masterfully balances vulnerability with humor, creating a nostalgic and relatable atmosphere.
The protagonist's chaotic charm adds depth without overshadowing the book's cultural commentary. Each line evokes a range of emotions, from shock to amusement, seamlessly weaving a tapestry of Catalina's experiences. The author's skill lies in portraying nuance, capturing Catalina's nuanced feelings towards her existence.
The characters, far from being archetypes, emerge as real, unpredictable individuals, evoking empathy and surprise. While the timeline can be initially confusing, the story's complexity and emotional impact remain undiminished. The shifts in narration, though occasionally tangential, maintain a fast-paced, engaging narrative.
Villavicencio's prose deftly blends cultural critique with Catalina's personal journey, highlighting the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in elite academic settings. Catalina's unapologetic voice and sharp observations add depth to the narrative, even as occasional tangents may briefly divert from the main plot.
In conclusion, "Catalina" is a compelling and thought-provoking read, recommended for its emotional depth, relatable characters, and insightful commentary on identity and resilience.

I wish I loved this more because it is so unique and important. There were parts that really pulled me in but unfortunately many parts that just went on and on and I ended up skimming through trying to get through them and back to the good parts.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Catalina is a beautiful novel about a Harvard student living with the secret of being undocumented. The novel takes place before the Dreamers act (DACA) was enacted. Catalina attends Harvard and fears graduation as she cannot legally work. She thrives in unpaid internships, and hides a secret because she does not know who to trust. She arrived in the US as a child, lives with her grandparents, and hides in plain sight. This novel is a beautiful story about belonging and family. It brings to light a very real issue for many living in the US.


Well intentioned boyfriends and families use their weight to bring light to her situation, but are they helpful?


This is a wonderful novel with so much depth to it. It is easy to read and I was in love with Catalina and her grandparents.

*Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of "Catalina" by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio.

I have to say that I ~LOVE~ the way this author writes. (Maybe it's because her writing style feels similar to my own.) The way she crafts sentences, describes things, so simple and real and yet stunningly beautiful. Cornejo Villavicencio writes in a very realistic way, as if she were just your friend and this is her diary. I can't wait to see what else this author comes out with in the future!

What a unique, timely debut! This character-driven, coming-of-age, stream of consciousness novel felt chaotic, relatable, and honest. I found the focus on undocumented immigrants, identity, culture and purpose relevant, fascinating and compelling.

I was excited to read Catalina, prepares to love it. While some parts of the story resonated with me, it didn't quite pull me in and keep my attention. This could have been to do with the wtiting atyle, which jumps around as if youre in the main character's stream of consciousness. Catalina is a bit out of my usual reading comfort zone, so this could just not be for me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

I wanted so badly to love Catalina. The premise is something I would usually enjoy, a combination of commentary on class and racial divide and America’s flawed immigration system, however I did not enjoy the reading experience. This book contained so many pieces of beautiful writing, however I found that this incredibly short work felt very long. I wanted to feel so much, but every character felt slightly one dimensional me. The chapters were also too long and unfocused for my preferences.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.