This is not Patricia Engel's first book she has a few other books out Vida, and It's Not Love, It's Just Paris are two of them. The Veins of the Ocean was named a New York Times Editors' Choice.
When I received The Veins of the Ocean in the mail I started reading it immediately. It took me awhile to read only because I stretched it out. I was afraid of the ending. It follows the sad and emotional story of Reina Castillo. Reina was born in Colombia, and carries many of the traditional beliefs and omens about her life. She feels the obligation of family suffering, she was the baby born after the death of another baby. She harbors guilt over a murder he beloved brother Carlito committed. After another family tragedy she sets to the road in Florida. She leaves her mother to her life, and is hoping to feel free from the prison of her mind and family legacy.
She meets man a bit older than her named Nesto. He is a refugee from Cuba with his own burdens and sadness. He is trying to escape the hardships of his past, while still living in the sadness of it. He has children in Cuba. Nesto feels he can not truly move forward in life without them with him. While he tries to help free Reina of her sadness and guilt they agree they will live for today. Neither one feel they can truly belong to each other, with the weight of their families wrapped around them.
This book was written so elegantly and does have so much sadness in it. The characters are so real. The settings are so vivid with the words that Patricia Engel uses. You will visit different parts of Florida, Colombia, and Cuba in this book. Through the characters and their process of becoming you will find out the meaning of the ocean and how she is a multifaceted goddess. You will see indigenous beliefs weaved in with Catholicism, you will see what is beneath the surface.
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Patricia Engel's Goodreads Page
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