A Delicate Marriage

by Margarita Barresi

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Pub Date 10 Oct 2023 | Archive Date 4 Sep 2023

Atmosphere Press

General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction

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Description

From glittering ballrooms to verdant mountains to poverty-stricken slums, A Delicate Marriage takes the reader on a vivid tour of Puerto Rico forty years after becoming a U.S. colony, a time of great change and political turmoil on the island.

Isabela, a wealthy woman, sacrifices her artistic aspirations to marry Marco, a penniless man dedicated to improving conditions on the island. As the island's insular government enacts pro-U.S. policies, Marco builds a real estate empire while struggling to maintain his populist principles. Meanwhile, Isabella feels unfulfilled in her traditional role as a wife and mother and becomes disillusioned with Marco's shifting moral compass. She begins to identify with anti-U.S. factions, leading a dangerous double life that puts her family in peril.

As political violence threatens their paradise, Isabela and Marco question whether their marriage, like the island's relationship with the U.S., should continue. Margarita Barresi's debut novel celebrates Puerto Rican culture while delving into themes of class, oppression, and the effects of colonialism through the lens of a marriage.

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A Note From the Publisher

Raised in Puerto Rico by her grandparents, Margarita Barresi grew up hearing stories about the “good old days”—the genesis for this, her first novel. She studied public relations at Boston University, and after a successful career in marketing communications, now devotes her time to writing. Her essays have been published in several literary magazines and compilations. Margarita lives in the suburbs north of Boston with her husband and two Puerto Rican cats, Luna and Rico.

Raised in Puerto Rico by her grandparents, Margarita Barresi grew up hearing stories about the “good old days”—the genesis for this, her first novel. She studied public relations at Boston...

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Advance Praise

"A Delicate Marriage by Margarita Barresi is a classic work of historical fiction that belongs on the bookshelf alongside The Great Gatsby, Brideshead Revisited, One Hundred Years of Solitude, and many more."

-Readers' Favorite

"A Delicate Marriage, with its blend of glamour, charm, and a nostalgic nod to a bygone era, promises to uplift readers’ spirits on even the dreariest of days, inviting them to revisit the tempestuous yet enchanting landscape of Puerto Rico. This delightful romantic saga, with a touch of Latin American flair, is likely to enthrall readers, particularly those with a penchant for compelling love stories."

-Literary Titan

"A Delicate Marriage is rife with character and depth and a wonderfully educational look at the history of Puerto Rico."

-Feathered Quill

"Driven by fictional characters that look to grasp unprecedented opportunities for their island nation, A Delicate Marriage examines the delicate nature of all kinds of relationships and peels away layers of historical and cultural influence to illustrate how change trickles down from political events and connections into personal lives and psychology."

-Midwest Book Review

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