This Is the Only Kingdom by Jaquira Díaz is a multigenerational story following a family from el caserío Padre Rivera (housing project) in Humacao. The story centers on Maricarmen, and later on her daughter Nena, as they are forced to navigate their circumstances as part of the abused and neglected in Puerto Rico’s rural underbelly.
This was an emotional read for me. Díaz addresses issues like poverty, police brutality, colorism/racism, drug use, sexism, and even how Puerto Rican women were used as guinea pigs for contraceptives and forced sterilization. At the same time, Díaz celebrates our culture with attention to music, food, and the resolve to heal from generational trauma. Each chapter title is a classic Salsa song; I love that.

Díaz’s perhaps largest theme revolves around the violent homophobia perpetuated by the latine community. The title This Is the Only Kingdom is a quip against the church hypocrisy of ignoring or condemning suffering to focus only the next life. The desperation and grief in these complex characters is so raw and palpable that my heart broke a thousand different times 💔. Díaz also portrays the strength and bravery it takes to heal and forgive which is probably my biggest takeaway. Having read Díaz’s memoir beforehand, I can very much see her within these pages even though the characters and conflicts are fictional.

I wrote a few reviews before this one because I dreaded it. The premise was so enthralling that I was sure I was going to have an exceptional time reading this book, but sadly it wasn't the case.

I had quite the difficult time and I needed to keep putting the kindle down because it just didn't work for me.

That said, I'm sure my experience won't represent the majority, so I'm still going to recommend this book?