TAINA

Narrator Daniel José Molina's affectionate interpretation of Quiñonez's novel rings with truth. Quiñonez should be on everyone's list of authors to know. In his riveting portrait of contemporary life in the projects of Spanish Harlem, he creates distinctive, indelible characters. Fifteen-year-old Taina Flores is pregnant. She claims she's a virgin. Her mother believes her. She's sure Taina was visited by angels. Molina sounds exactly like the storyteller, a 17-year-old neighbor named Julio, a boy with visions and a deep love for Taina. Molina's portrayals of Taina's uncle, El Vejigante, an eccentric ex-con; Julio's parents, a Marxist father and a Jehova's Witness mother; and Taina herself, a foul-mouthed teen with an angelic voice, are completely satisfying. Graceful writing and a superb performance make this choice listening. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2019]