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After the Hurricane: A Gripping Father-Daughter Mystery in Storm-Swept Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria
Named by Etaf Rum as one of the Best Beach Reads of All Time for "Read with Jenna!" Reminiscent of Gabriela Garcia’s Of Women and Salt , Leah Franqui brings us an engrossing, deeply personal novel with a mystery at its heart as a daughter returns to Puerto Rico to search for her troubled father, who has gone missing after Hurricane Maria. From the outside, Elena Vega’s life appears to be an easy the only child of two professional parents, private school, NYU. But her twenties are aimless and lacking in connection. Something has always been amiss in her her father, the brilliant but deeply troubled Santiago Vega. Born in rural Puerto Rico, Santiago arrived in New York as a small child. His harsh, mercurial father returned to the island, leaving Santiago to be raised by his mentally ill mother and his formidable grandmother. An outstanding student, he followed scholarships to Stanford, then Yale Law, marrying Elena’s mother along the way. Santiago is the shining star of his migrant family—the one who made it out and struck it rich. But he is a haunted man, plagued by trauma, bipolar disorder, and alcoholism. He’s lost contact with Elena over the years and returned to San Juan to wrestle his demons alone. Then Hurricane Maria strikes, and Santiago vanishes. Desperate to know what happened to the father she once adored, Elena returns to Puerto Rico, a place she loved as a child but hasn’t seen in years. There she must unravel the truth about who her father is, crisscrossing the storm-swept island and reaching deep into his family tree to find relatives she’s never met, each of whom seems to possess a clue about Santiago’s fate. A compelling mystery unfolds, as Elena is reunited with family, and with a place she loved and lost—the island of Puerto Rico, which is itself a character in this book. It’s a story of connection, migration, striving, love, and loss, illuminated by humor and affection, written by a novelist at the height of her gifts.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2022
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December 1, 2022
Elena Vega reluctantly, painfully, heads to Puerto Rico in search of her father, Santiago Vega, Jr., who has disappeared. Puerto Rico is still in the early stages of trying to clean up and recover from Hurricane Maria, and Elena's increasingly detached relationship with her father over the previous years, not only makes the search difficult, but adds to the deeply untethered inner self against which Elena constantly struggles — almost unaware.
"Information is her currency." Ravaged by nature, the island itself is a hollowed-out reflection of Elena herself. Over the years, she has learned very little of her father's past — even her mother (before and since their divorce) honored Santiago's desire to begin life anew, fresh, and disentangled from his history. As Elena tries to gather clues, for relatives both living and dead, her pain at having been so resolutely fenced off from her father's past becomes increasingly painful, reinforcing her feelings of being unworthy and not belonging.
Franqui has constructed a story with which I connected deeply — some areas more than others — and I found myself slowing down to savor this journey of self, through which Elena stumbles, gaining footing as she goes. Franqui's writing is beautiful, and though she focuses on pain and longing, she also takes the time to turn the page just a little and show the beauty of living. The pain of the blindingly bright, white light that hurts your eyes just as you emerge from some of the darkest tunnels in life.
Not only did I love the story Franqui told through Elena and her father, but also the world she created between the triangle of an only child and her two divorced parents. The triangle of New York, Puerto Rico, and the limbo that exists between two worlds for many children of the United States. In its current state, the island is both beautiful and painfully sad. Elena, wrecked from the lack of the kind of nurturing she most needed and desired, begins to slowly recognize parts of herself she thought either didn't exist or she found lacking. This duality of beauty through destruction and how Elena's experience and current thoughts were mirrored alongside that of Puerto Rico's post-hurricane state was almost perfect. My one issue was the depth to which Franqui doled out the mirroring information about the history of Puerto Rico itself — reflective of Elena's discovery of her family's history and her father's past.
Through a cousin's blog, Elena learns about the island's history — and I think this was a bit of a momentum-breaker in the story itself. Franqui transfers this info-dump into the story by way of Elena reading the blog entries, which are simply displayed within the body of the book. While the story itself was already a slower-paced, character-driven tale, winding its way across the island because of Elena, these pauses to inform the reader of history of the island and its people were a little long and a little too on the nose. However, pushing beyond these pauses, I could certainly appreciate how easy it was for Elena's hunger for information anywhere she could get it — so empty was she of it otherwise.
Elena's journey across Puerto Rico is one of simultaneously searching for her missing father and searching for herself. She discovers relatives and friends of her father's she never knew existed; she clears out his house that has become nigh on unlivable with accumulated clutter; she reassesses what she thinks she knows about her father and who she thought she was. And, at the end, Elena's journey is simultaneously complete and just beginning — beautifully open to being rebuilt.
This is my first novel by Franqui, but I'm absolutely going to check out her other books.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.
"Investigating her father has reawakened her appetite for the past. If she can't have his, she wants everyone else's, she wants the island's."
"Information is her currency." Ravaged by nature, the island itself is a hollowed-out reflection of Elena herself. Over the years, she has learned very little of her father's past — even her mother (before and since their divorce) honored Santiago's desire to begin life anew, fresh, and disentangled from his history. As Elena tries to gather clues, for relatives both living and dead, her pain at having been so resolutely fenced off from her father's past becomes increasingly painful, reinforcing her feelings of being unworthy and not belonging.
Franqui has constructed a story with which I connected deeply — some areas more than others — and I found myself slowing down to savor this journey of self, through which Elena stumbles, gaining footing as she goes. Franqui's writing is beautiful, and though she focuses on pain and longing, she also takes the time to turn the page just a little and show the beauty of living. The pain of the blindingly bright, white light that hurts your eyes just as you emerge from some of the darkest tunnels in life.
Not only did I love the story Franqui told through Elena and her father, but also the world she created between the triangle of an only child and her two divorced parents. The triangle of New York, Puerto Rico, and the limbo that exists between two worlds for many children of the United States. In its current state, the island is both beautiful and painfully sad. Elena, wrecked from the lack of the kind of nurturing she most needed and desired, begins to slowly recognize parts of herself she thought either didn't exist or she found lacking. This duality of beauty through destruction and how Elena's experience and current thoughts were mirrored alongside that of Puerto Rico's post-hurricane state was almost perfect. My one issue was the depth to which Franqui doled out the mirroring information about the history of Puerto Rico itself — reflective of Elena's discovery of her family's history and her father's past.
Through a cousin's blog, Elena learns about the island's history — and I think this was a bit of a momentum-breaker in the story itself. Franqui transfers this info-dump into the story by way of Elena reading the blog entries, which are simply displayed within the body of the book. While the story itself was already a slower-paced, character-driven tale, winding its way across the island because of Elena, these pauses to inform the reader of history of the island and its people were a little long and a little too on the nose. However, pushing beyond these pauses, I could certainly appreciate how easy it was for Elena's hunger for information anywhere she could get it — so empty was she of it otherwise.
Elena's journey across Puerto Rico is one of simultaneously searching for her missing father and searching for herself. She discovers relatives and friends of her father's she never knew existed; she clears out his house that has become nigh on unlivable with accumulated clutter; she reassesses what she thinks she knows about her father and who she thought she was. And, at the end, Elena's journey is simultaneously complete and just beginning — beautifully open to being rebuilt.
This is my first novel by Franqui, but I'm absolutely going to check out her other books.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.
July 31, 2022
This book put me in a reading slump. I tried so hard to connect with it, but I couldn’t it. I was so bored that I didn’t care what happened to any of the characters. So glad I’m done with it.
1/5⭐️
1/5⭐️
February 5, 2025
AFTER THE HURRICANE is a beautifully written novel, though not one that will appeal to everyone. It is a slow, meandering story, rich in introspection and atmosphere—qualities that may frustrate some readers. However, for those who connect with its themes, it is an incredibly moving and resonant read. Franqui’s lyrical prose brings Puerto Rico to life, capturing both its breathtaking beauty and its post-hurricane devastation, while also delving deeply into the complexities of family, trauma, and identity.
At its heart is Elena, a young woman raised in the U.S. who returns to Puerto Rico—a place she has only visited—to search for her estranged father, Santiago, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Though she and her mother know he survived the storm, he has since disappeared. Elena undertakes the journey with reluctance, having long been emotionally distanced from her father, who struggled with alcoholism and was often absent from her life. As she searches for him, she also searches for answers—digging through his belongings, uncovering mementos, and meeting people who knew him in ways she never did. Through this process, she begins to piece together a version of Santiago that had always been hidden from her.
What makes the novel particularly compelling is its dual perspective. While we follow Elena’s journey in the present, we also move backward through Santiago’s life, tracing his story in reverse—from his more recent struggles to his childhood. This structure forces both Elena and the reader to grapple with difficult questions: Is a troubled past an explanation or an excuse? If Santiago truly believed he was protecting Elena by burying his pain, does his failure negate the effort? There are no easy answers, only the messy, painful reality of inherited trauma and the ways it shapes a family.
Elena herself is not always easy to like—she complains, hesitates, and harbors resentment toward both of her parents for the secrets they kept. But can she really be blamed? Her frustration is deeply human, and her struggles with belonging—never feeling fully at home in the U.S. or Puerto Rico—add another poignant layer to her story. Through her cousin’s journal entries, the novel also explores Puerto Rico’s history of colonialism and oppression, adding depth to the personal and familial themes at its core.
Ultimately, AFTER THE HURRICANE is a heartbreaking yet thoughtful novel that refuses to offer easy resolutions. It is an exploration of identity, loss, and the long shadows cast by family wounds. With its rich character development and evocative storytelling, it lingers in the mind long after the final page.
At its heart is Elena, a young woman raised in the U.S. who returns to Puerto Rico—a place she has only visited—to search for her estranged father, Santiago, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Though she and her mother know he survived the storm, he has since disappeared. Elena undertakes the journey with reluctance, having long been emotionally distanced from her father, who struggled with alcoholism and was often absent from her life. As she searches for him, she also searches for answers—digging through his belongings, uncovering mementos, and meeting people who knew him in ways she never did. Through this process, she begins to piece together a version of Santiago that had always been hidden from her.
What makes the novel particularly compelling is its dual perspective. While we follow Elena’s journey in the present, we also move backward through Santiago’s life, tracing his story in reverse—from his more recent struggles to his childhood. This structure forces both Elena and the reader to grapple with difficult questions: Is a troubled past an explanation or an excuse? If Santiago truly believed he was protecting Elena by burying his pain, does his failure negate the effort? There are no easy answers, only the messy, painful reality of inherited trauma and the ways it shapes a family.
Elena herself is not always easy to like—she complains, hesitates, and harbors resentment toward both of her parents for the secrets they kept. But can she really be blamed? Her frustration is deeply human, and her struggles with belonging—never feeling fully at home in the U.S. or Puerto Rico—add another poignant layer to her story. Through her cousin’s journal entries, the novel also explores Puerto Rico’s history of colonialism and oppression, adding depth to the personal and familial themes at its core.
Ultimately, AFTER THE HURRICANE is a heartbreaking yet thoughtful novel that refuses to offer easy resolutions. It is an exploration of identity, loss, and the long shadows cast by family wounds. With its rich character development and evocative storytelling, it lingers in the mind long after the final page.
October 14, 2022
DNF at page 95. Disappointed Puerto Rican here.
November 14, 2022
Leah Franqui is a remarkably versatile writer with an ability to give life to a variety of settings and cultures. When I see she has a book coming out, it's on my radar. Big time.
After the Hurricane is no exception. The setting in Puerto Rico is one she hasn't written about before, but the detail of her observations and her feel for interactive styles among the characters are spot-on.
There's a mystery at the heart of this novel that makes it hard to put down. The central character, Elena, is searching for her father in the aftermath of hurricane Maria—though he's been absent from her life since long before that disaster. But the Hurricane gives her reasons to seek him out, despite never having done so before.
Franqui doles out revelations about the novel's characters carefully. We get to know them slowly, and a new piece of information can shift one's perspective of them. But even with the shifts, the characters are convincing with their own internal coherence.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
After the Hurricane is no exception. The setting in Puerto Rico is one she hasn't written about before, but the detail of her observations and her feel for interactive styles among the characters are spot-on.
There's a mystery at the heart of this novel that makes it hard to put down. The central character, Elena, is searching for her father in the aftermath of hurricane Maria—though he's been absent from her life since long before that disaster. But the Hurricane gives her reasons to seek him out, despite never having done so before.
Franqui doles out revelations about the novel's characters carefully. We get to know them slowly, and a new piece of information can shift one's perspective of them. But even with the shifts, the characters are convincing with their own internal coherence.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
April 10, 2023
Ohhhh man, this bored the crap out of me. I really tried to push through because I know beginnings are sometimes slow. But listening to Elena internally berate herself, constantly calling herself a coward but refusing to actually do anything to rectify it, was really trying.
Elena was hard to connect with. She's a thirty-year-old woman from New York, and she's in a dead end job. When she finds out her father has been unreachable for the past few weeks, her mother convinces her to fly to Puerto Rico and find him.
Elena is such a whiner! I get it, it sucks that your dad hid so much of his history from you. But constantly moaning about it was a huge letdown for me. There were points where I was just skipping pages during Elena's narrative because the details were over the top and boring. I wanted more action, and instead I got a long-ass description of Elena's thoughts and feelings.
There was a romantic element added as well, but it wasn't given any time to flourish. I don't understand why it was even included. Elena and Fernando really only interact during a car ride, but it's clear that his only purpose is to serve as a romantic foil. Their relationship doesn't really progress, and is ultimately a derailment from the story itself.
I had such high hopes for this. I wanted to read a story about a young woman discovering her family roots, but the way this was written was difficult to connect with. I didn't particularly care about any of the characters until there were about 30 pages left. At that point, I was mentally exhausted and it wasn't enough to redeem the story in my eyes.
Elena was hard to connect with. She's a thirty-year-old woman from New York, and she's in a dead end job. When she finds out her father has been unreachable for the past few weeks, her mother convinces her to fly to Puerto Rico and find him.
Elena is such a whiner! I get it, it sucks that your dad hid so much of his history from you. But constantly moaning about it was a huge letdown for me. There were points where I was just skipping pages during Elena's narrative because the details were over the top and boring. I wanted more action, and instead I got a long-ass description of Elena's thoughts and feelings.
There was a romantic element added as well, but it wasn't given any time to flourish. I don't understand why it was even included. Elena and Fernando really only interact during a car ride, but it's clear that his only purpose is to serve as a romantic foil. Their relationship doesn't really progress, and is ultimately a derailment from the story itself.
I had such high hopes for this. I wanted to read a story about a young woman discovering her family roots, but the way this was written was difficult to connect with. I didn't particularly care about any of the characters until there were about 30 pages left. At that point, I was mentally exhausted and it wasn't enough to redeem the story in my eyes.
August 1, 2022
After the Hurricane by Leah Franqui is a novel about a young woman Elena who lives in New York. She’s an only child. Her mother also lives in New York but her father moved back to his home country of Puerto Rico after getting divorced from Elena’s mother. He has mental problems and he’s also a drunk. After a very big hurricane strikes Puerto Rico, Elana gets a call from her mother that her father is missing and she needs to fly down to Puerto Rico and find him. She does fly there and when she gets to his house, she finds that it’s a shambles. She finds so many things that hadn’t been fixed or cleaned. At one point, Elana asks herself: “What am I doing here?” That was when I asked myself the same question.
May 1, 2022
Review to come in Booklist!
July 22, 2022
Having never been to Puerto Rico, I found it interesting to get a closer look at life there in contrast to life in the United States. Elena is Jewish-Latina, living in New York as an adult after her parents divorced when she was young. Her father Santiago Jr. returned to live in Puerto Rico and has had only periodical contact with his daughter but has now disappeared following Hurricane Maria. Her mother Rosalind, his ex-wife is concerned enough to ask Elena to travel from New York City to Puerto Rico to find him to make sure he is safe. Elena and her father never have had a great relationship due to his being an alcoholic and his struggles with mental health. When arriving in Puerto Rico, problems arise because Elena doesn’t know much about her father’s past or family in Puerto Rico as he (and her mother) had chosen to never speak about his past and childhood. So many secrets about people that Elena should know about but doesn’t causes her to be very angry at both her parents, and has always led her to be cautious to trust anyone. As Elena travels around the island searching for him, Elena discovers much about her father, but more about herself.
In this story about family, we see twists and turns. It makes me thankful for my close family, yet aware there may be secrets in everyone’s history. The added element of Elena’s social platform postings describing Puerto Rico were enlightening and helped to discover what Elena was feeling she identified with what was written. How sad Santiago’s life was, given his mother’s mental illness, and how it affected his inability to love himself and others truly. When the author shows how his family embraces Elena, you can see that he really was rich if he only looked for it. This book kept me engaged until the end and left me a bit sad as there is no fairytale ending like we all seem to want.
Many thanks to #netgalley #afterthehurricane #leahfranqui #harpercollins for the opportunity to read and review this book.
In this story about family, we see twists and turns. It makes me thankful for my close family, yet aware there may be secrets in everyone’s history. The added element of Elena’s social platform postings describing Puerto Rico were enlightening and helped to discover what Elena was feeling she identified with what was written. How sad Santiago’s life was, given his mother’s mental illness, and how it affected his inability to love himself and others truly. When the author shows how his family embraces Elena, you can see that he really was rich if he only looked for it. This book kept me engaged until the end and left me a bit sad as there is no fairytale ending like we all seem to want.
Many thanks to #netgalley #afterthehurricane #leahfranqui #harpercollins for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 27, 2022
Elena has come back to Puerto Rico after receiving a call from her mom that her father is missing. She's unsure where to start. This is an island she doesn't know well and her father has been secretive her whole life, unwilling to tell her much about his family or his life before she was born. She isn't even sure where to start other than to go to the house he bought so long ago and see if it holds clues.
This story is told in two timelines, two POV. One is Elena as she explores the house and the island, finding clues and off searching the next location to see if she can find him. The other POV is her father as a young man growing up on the island, his family and then his college years. As Elena searches for her father, she struggles to know him more and understand why he has hidden so much from her.
I was instantly sucked in to the story, completely mesmerized by the island after a hurricane and how they are rebuilding but also struggling. I loved discovering all the secrets between the two - learning of the family and the island history from both POV. What a treasure of a story this is, with such a beautiful cover. I really liked this one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This story is told in two timelines, two POV. One is Elena as she explores the house and the island, finding clues and off searching the next location to see if she can find him. The other POV is her father as a young man growing up on the island, his family and then his college years. As Elena searches for her father, she struggles to know him more and understand why he has hidden so much from her.
I was instantly sucked in to the story, completely mesmerized by the island after a hurricane and how they are rebuilding but also struggling. I loved discovering all the secrets between the two - learning of the family and the island history from both POV. What a treasure of a story this is, with such a beautiful cover. I really liked this one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
June 5, 2022
This is the story about a man who is estranged from his only child, Elena, and Elena's search for him when he goes missing after hurricane Maria devastates Puerto Rico.
Elena is a very sensitive person, she recognizes her emotions even if she doesn't know what to do with them. Where to put the pain, anger, and resentments she feels towards her father (and mother). Because all her life she's never known anything about her father Santiago's past. Everything has been kept from her and she feels untethered to anything.
This is Elena's journey to find answers, her father, and Santiago's story.
It is a good story that kept my interest, but near the end got choppy and confusing 3/4 of the way in.
August 15, 2022
2.75⭐
The premise of this book had so much potential as Elena searched for her dad in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and uncovered his past, but unfortunately, the narrative's pacing and style made for a tough read. I found it easy to put down this book for days because there was not much forward momentum in the story and the narrative changes and flashbacks did not help this. An excellent concept, but this book just did not work in execution for me. I'll keep an eye out for future Leah Franqui books!
The premise of this book had so much potential as Elena searched for her dad in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and uncovered his past, but unfortunately, the narrative's pacing and style made for a tough read. I found it easy to put down this book for days because there was not much forward momentum in the story and the narrative changes and flashbacks did not help this. An excellent concept, but this book just did not work in execution for me. I'll keep an eye out for future Leah Franqui books!
October 12, 2022
The reason I gave it 3 stars is because I found this book to be long and fluffy with lots of pointless details. There was so much repetitiveness to the point that I truly struggled and I almost didn’t finish the book.
I did love the story of Puerto Rico and it’s history and culture and how the author incorporated Hurricane Maria although it wasn’t the focal point . The mental health issue from Esperanza which passed to her son Santiago was a good story line. One thing I loved and agreed with is that driving thru the island is the best way to experience it.
What I found most annoying was the going back and forth on the timelines. I found it sad that Santiago and Elena didn’t really reconcile. The ending didn’t bring any closure and just seemed rushed.
I did love the story of Puerto Rico and it’s history and culture and how the author incorporated Hurricane Maria although it wasn’t the focal point . The mental health issue from Esperanza which passed to her son Santiago was a good story line. One thing I loved and agreed with is that driving thru the island is the best way to experience it.
What I found most annoying was the going back and forth on the timelines. I found it sad that Santiago and Elena didn’t really reconcile. The ending didn’t bring any closure and just seemed rushed.
October 10, 2022
I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway, but I will provide an honest review that does not reflect that fact.
After the Hurricane explores the quest Elena Vega takes upon herself to locate her father, Santiago, after he goes missing in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. She flies to Puerto Rico from New York, where she has been living a directionless, unfulfilling life. Immediately one discovers that Elena isn’t just trying to determine her father’s physical whereabouts; she is on a much larger search for her father himself, and for herself as well. He has, for deep-seated reasons of his own, kept hidden from her everything about his troubled past, and to make matters worse, he is currently slipping away into a fog of alcohol-induced deterioration. Lacking access to her father’s full story, Elena feels like half of her own identity is missing. She truly knows nothing about him, who his parents were and how they affected him, what friends helped shape him, what led to her parents’ divorce, and maybe most importantly, what has caused her father to lose completely any focus on her to the point where he doesn’t seem to know anything about her in turn. They have become strangers to each other, and the anger, frustration and pain Elena experiences as a result is skillfully rendered by the author’s excellent writing. If I had to offer one criticism, it would be that the novel to me seemed overly long and very repetitive. Despite the good writing, I felt “told” over and over that Elena was angry and sad about her father’s absence in her life. I will go back now and read the reviews of others to see if I am alone in that assessment, which may be the case.
However, on the positive side, I felt firmly placed in post-Maria Puerto Rico, and really enjoyed every description offered of the people and the place.
After the Hurricane explores the quest Elena Vega takes upon herself to locate her father, Santiago, after he goes missing in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. She flies to Puerto Rico from New York, where she has been living a directionless, unfulfilling life. Immediately one discovers that Elena isn’t just trying to determine her father’s physical whereabouts; she is on a much larger search for her father himself, and for herself as well. He has, for deep-seated reasons of his own, kept hidden from her everything about his troubled past, and to make matters worse, he is currently slipping away into a fog of alcohol-induced deterioration. Lacking access to her father’s full story, Elena feels like half of her own identity is missing. She truly knows nothing about him, who his parents were and how they affected him, what friends helped shape him, what led to her parents’ divorce, and maybe most importantly, what has caused her father to lose completely any focus on her to the point where he doesn’t seem to know anything about her in turn. They have become strangers to each other, and the anger, frustration and pain Elena experiences as a result is skillfully rendered by the author’s excellent writing. If I had to offer one criticism, it would be that the novel to me seemed overly long and very repetitive. Despite the good writing, I felt “told” over and over that Elena was angry and sad about her father’s absence in her life. I will go back now and read the reviews of others to see if I am alone in that assessment, which may be the case.
However, on the positive side, I felt firmly placed in post-Maria Puerto Rico, and really enjoyed every description offered of the people and the place.
July 28, 2023
While Elena is discovering the story of her dad, her family, of herself, the author talks to the reader about how roots, immigration, colonization, family relationships, diasporas... All of these factors play an important part in defining our identity, our sense of belonging, our self-esteem.
The author also explores the identity of present day Puerto Ricans and their status of a modern day colony from Us, she doesn't give that name, but describes a lot of aspects from it, letting the reader create the picture for themselves.
I enjoyed reading it and it broke my heart several times.
The author also explores the identity of present day Puerto Ricans and their status of a modern day colony from Us, she doesn't give that name, but describes a lot of aspects from it, letting the reader create the picture for themselves.
I enjoyed reading it and it broke my heart several times.
June 2, 2022
Wow! This is a new author for me and she certainly does her research well! This one covers so much and should probably come with a trigger warning, but, which one?? Dysfunctional families, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, mental illness, immigration, financial disparities and that's only the surface. That's not to say I didn't finish, I devoured it! So very well written and yet so relatable, never writing above the reader but certainly making one think. Does it have a happy ending, all tucked up with a bow?? Maybe, for some but it's really not the point. My favourite quote comes near the end; "Every immigrant has known the in between state of being, the futile hours and days and years and lives spent chasing enough; becoming enough."
As always, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
As always, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
August 19, 2022
I liked this a lot—absorbing plot, interesting characters, poignant tale of generational trauma. I would have given it a 4 if it had been more thoroughly copyedited. Some errors sprinkled throughout (eg, referring to Macbeth as a novel, “adds” instead of “ads” when referring to advertisements) detracted from the pleasure I had reading this. Hope it will not detract others, as this is otherwise a wonderful novel.
June 30, 2022
Recommended by Andrea. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore...
June 15, 2022
Thank you William Morrow and Goodreads for the gifted ARC.
Elena's father suffers from bipolar and alcoholism. After separating from Elena's mother he moves back to San Juan. For 6 years he becomes estranged from Elena's life, but shortly after hurricane Maria hits San Juan Elena learns that her father has gone missing. She must travel to San Juan to find him to make sure that he is safe.
This novel goes back and forth between the stories of Elena looking for her lost father, Santiago, in Puerto Rico and the story of Elena's father's past. This is a heart-wrenching story that examines the effects mental illness and alcohol addiction can have on a person and their family. It's a story about a journey of self-discovery, finding your place, finding your way home, and finding your legacy through the stories of the people you meet along the way. In After the Hurricane Leah Franqui examines the devastation that Puerto Rico went through after hurricane Maria and how the people and the island are healing from the storm.
Favorite Quote: "How wonderful it would be to be a man, Elena thinks, to not worry so much about what people offer you, to take it with open hands as your right, instead of inspecting it for poison. But what are women to do, when every story teaches them that nice old ladies with apples are trying to kill them, that wolves sit at every corner ready to eat them, that their stepmothers will abuse them, that simple home crafts will send them to sleep for a hundred years?"
Elena's father suffers from bipolar and alcoholism. After separating from Elena's mother he moves back to San Juan. For 6 years he becomes estranged from Elena's life, but shortly after hurricane Maria hits San Juan Elena learns that her father has gone missing. She must travel to San Juan to find him to make sure that he is safe.
This novel goes back and forth between the stories of Elena looking for her lost father, Santiago, in Puerto Rico and the story of Elena's father's past. This is a heart-wrenching story that examines the effects mental illness and alcohol addiction can have on a person and their family. It's a story about a journey of self-discovery, finding your place, finding your way home, and finding your legacy through the stories of the people you meet along the way. In After the Hurricane Leah Franqui examines the devastation that Puerto Rico went through after hurricane Maria and how the people and the island are healing from the storm.
Favorite Quote: "How wonderful it would be to be a man, Elena thinks, to not worry so much about what people offer you, to take it with open hands as your right, instead of inspecting it for poison. But what are women to do, when every story teaches them that nice old ladies with apples are trying to kill them, that wolves sit at every corner ready to eat them, that their stepmothers will abuse them, that simple home crafts will send them to sleep for a hundred years?"
June 28, 2022
Puerto Rico has long been on my travel bucket list. If I wasn't so terrified of hurricanes, I'd even dreamed of retiring there. The destructive category four hurricane is an important piece of this story, but not the focus.
Elena's search for her missing father is more a story of a young woman's search for her history and her fathers unknown heritage, than for him. His disappearance didn't seem particularly out of character considering his demons with alcohol and bipolar disorder.
Elena's parents have been divorced awhile. Her mother, Rosalind, now lives in Philadelphia. Elena's great grand parents fled Russia and are Jewish. She has been raised with those traditions. Her father, Santiago, had returned to Puerto Rico after the divorce, despite spending his lifetime trying to escape. Elena lives and works in NY.
Santiago is a complex, intelligent and secretive man. He comes from a poor, violent family of sugar cane workers. His mother was mentally unwell. He attended Stanford University and Yale Law School and became a lawyer. Much of the story describes his time in NY, then CA, the deep friendships he developed there and his early years with Rosalind. His character is not necessarily easy to relate to, to like or read about.
Neither of Elena's parents have ever shared Santiago's family information with her. They took trips to Puerto Rico and she knows her father's family is still there, but nothing more significant. He even bought a dilapidated 1700s house there to restore.
Rosalind phones Elena to relate that her father is missing and pleading for her to go to Puerto Rico to find him.
Elena boards a plane to San Juan having not a clue where to look or who to ask about Santiago's whereabouts. Her journey around the island is emotionally wrought with newfound people and relatives of her father's Elena never knew existed. She stays at the old restored house which has again become a ruin.
The story gives good insight into culture, customs and beliefs on the island. Having researched my own family ancestry and history pre-computer when people still wrote letters, it was moving to read about someone without that knowledge. The story made me appreciate all those stories of ancestors I was freely given. I can't fathom how strange it would feel to not have that. History, heritage and roots are important. The author, previously unknown to me, seemed to write with personal experience and soul.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advantage digital copy of "After the Hurricane " by Leah Franqui and to HarperCollins Publishers. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.
Elena's search for her missing father is more a story of a young woman's search for her history and her fathers unknown heritage, than for him. His disappearance didn't seem particularly out of character considering his demons with alcohol and bipolar disorder.
Elena's parents have been divorced awhile. Her mother, Rosalind, now lives in Philadelphia. Elena's great grand parents fled Russia and are Jewish. She has been raised with those traditions. Her father, Santiago, had returned to Puerto Rico after the divorce, despite spending his lifetime trying to escape. Elena lives and works in NY.
Santiago is a complex, intelligent and secretive man. He comes from a poor, violent family of sugar cane workers. His mother was mentally unwell. He attended Stanford University and Yale Law School and became a lawyer. Much of the story describes his time in NY, then CA, the deep friendships he developed there and his early years with Rosalind. His character is not necessarily easy to relate to, to like or read about.
Neither of Elena's parents have ever shared Santiago's family information with her. They took trips to Puerto Rico and she knows her father's family is still there, but nothing more significant. He even bought a dilapidated 1700s house there to restore.
Rosalind phones Elena to relate that her father is missing and pleading for her to go to Puerto Rico to find him.
Elena boards a plane to San Juan having not a clue where to look or who to ask about Santiago's whereabouts. Her journey around the island is emotionally wrought with newfound people and relatives of her father's Elena never knew existed. She stays at the old restored house which has again become a ruin.
The story gives good insight into culture, customs and beliefs on the island. Having researched my own family ancestry and history pre-computer when people still wrote letters, it was moving to read about someone without that knowledge. The story made me appreciate all those stories of ancestors I was freely given. I can't fathom how strange it would feel to not have that. History, heritage and roots are important. The author, previously unknown to me, seemed to write with personal experience and soul.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advantage digital copy of "After the Hurricane " by Leah Franqui and to HarperCollins Publishers. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.
July 28, 2022
Thank you to WilliamMorrow Books for the ARC.
Good book. I don't read many books based in Puerto Rico and I found this one to be a real treat.
The book was a bit slow in the beginning and the author did veer off the main storyline often detailing too much on family history. At times I was a bit confused as to who was related and found that some of the characters were unnecessary to the story.
I do like how she finally grew up and came to terms with the relationship with her father. Sometimes it's not about ourselves and not knowing about the past can be a blessing in disguise.
However, It did encourage me to want to learn more about my family history and visit Puerto Rico in the furure.
Good book. I don't read many books based in Puerto Rico and I found this one to be a real treat.
The book was a bit slow in the beginning and the author did veer off the main storyline often detailing too much on family history. At times I was a bit confused as to who was related and found that some of the characters were unnecessary to the story.
I do like how she finally grew up and came to terms with the relationship with her father. Sometimes it's not about ourselves and not knowing about the past can be a blessing in disguise.
However, It did encourage me to want to learn more about my family history and visit Puerto Rico in the furure.
July 7, 2023
Ugh terrible book. I wish I could give it a negative review. If I can, I’d give it a -5. This could have been a short story. So much repetition, so much navel-gazing by the characters. I recommend y’all skip.
September 5, 2022
Audiobook. Really beautifully written book. I would absolutely read the other books by the author. Interesting exploration of mental illness and self-loathing, not to mention Puerto Rican history.
December 27, 2022
2 stars, if I'm generous. Couldnt get into it whatsoever
February 8, 2023
Too much emotional angst. Some promoted this as a beach read, can’t figure that out. I almost stopped reading but plowed through to the end.
March 9, 2023
This one did not grab me. I finished it only to find out if she ever finds her father.
May 15, 2023
"After the Hurricane" by Leah Franqui is a profoundly touching and sentimental novel that delicately explores the complexities of love, loss, and the transformative power of human connections. Through her eloquent storytelling, Franqui weaves a captivating narrative that lingers in the heart long after the final page is turned.
The story follows the journey of Lauren, a young woman who finds herself grappling with the aftermath of a devastating hurricane that has left her life in ruins. As she tries to rebuild both her physical and emotional world, she encounters an unlikely source of solace and support in the form of her eccentric and endearing neighbor, Mr. Katz.
Franqui's masterful prose draws readers into a world filled with emotional depth and vulnerability. With each page, the author skillfully unravels the layers of grief, resilience, and hope that define the human experience. The characters are beautifully rendered, flawed yet relatable, and their emotional journeys resonate on a profound level.
The heart of "After the Hurricane" lies in the tender and transformative relationship between Lauren and Mr. Katz. Through their interactions, Franqui explores themes of intergenerational connection and the healing power of compassion. Their conversations are filled with wisdom, humor, and a deep understanding of the human condition, leaving readers with a sense of warmth and comfort.
What sets this novel apart is Franqui's ability to infuse even the darkest moments with a glimmer of hope. She navigates themes of loss and trauma with sensitivity, offering a poignant reminder that healing can emerge from the most unexpected sources. The author's keen observations of human nature and the intricacies of relationships create a deeply emotional resonance that lingers long after the story ends.
Moreover, Franqui's vivid descriptions transport readers to the storm-ravaged setting, immersing them in the raw emotions and challenging circumstances faced by the characters. The evocative imagery and atmospheric prose breathe life into the narrative, making the readers feel as if they are right there alongside Lauren, experiencing her journey of self-discovery and renewal.
"After the Hurricane" is a testament to the power of resilience, compassion, and the indomitable spirit of the human heart. Leah Franqui's remarkable storytelling and her ability to capture the intricacies of human emotions make this novel a truly memorable and touching read. It is a book that will tug at your heartstrings, inspire introspection, and remind you of the extraordinary capacity for love and healing that resides within us all.
The story follows the journey of Lauren, a young woman who finds herself grappling with the aftermath of a devastating hurricane that has left her life in ruins. As she tries to rebuild both her physical and emotional world, she encounters an unlikely source of solace and support in the form of her eccentric and endearing neighbor, Mr. Katz.
Franqui's masterful prose draws readers into a world filled with emotional depth and vulnerability. With each page, the author skillfully unravels the layers of grief, resilience, and hope that define the human experience. The characters are beautifully rendered, flawed yet relatable, and their emotional journeys resonate on a profound level.
The heart of "After the Hurricane" lies in the tender and transformative relationship between Lauren and Mr. Katz. Through their interactions, Franqui explores themes of intergenerational connection and the healing power of compassion. Their conversations are filled with wisdom, humor, and a deep understanding of the human condition, leaving readers with a sense of warmth and comfort.
What sets this novel apart is Franqui's ability to infuse even the darkest moments with a glimmer of hope. She navigates themes of loss and trauma with sensitivity, offering a poignant reminder that healing can emerge from the most unexpected sources. The author's keen observations of human nature and the intricacies of relationships create a deeply emotional resonance that lingers long after the story ends.
Moreover, Franqui's vivid descriptions transport readers to the storm-ravaged setting, immersing them in the raw emotions and challenging circumstances faced by the characters. The evocative imagery and atmospheric prose breathe life into the narrative, making the readers feel as if they are right there alongside Lauren, experiencing her journey of self-discovery and renewal.
"After the Hurricane" is a testament to the power of resilience, compassion, and the indomitable spirit of the human heart. Leah Franqui's remarkable storytelling and her ability to capture the intricacies of human emotions make this novel a truly memorable and touching read. It is a book that will tug at your heartstrings, inspire introspection, and remind you of the extraordinary capacity for love and healing that resides within us all.
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August 29, 2022Elena Vega studied history in graduate school. Ironically, she knows very little about her father’s background outside its broad strokes: Santiago Vega was born in Puerto Rico, then grew up in New York City with his mentally ill mother after his own father returned to the island. A brilliant student, Santiago received a scholarship to attend Stanford then went to Yale for law school. But mental illness exacerbated by alcoholism eroded his relationship with his wife, Rosalind Goldberg, until she divorced him. He could not even maintain a relationship with his daughter. Finally, he retreated to Puerto Rico, and Elena has had no contact with him.
Shortly after Hurricane Maria, Rosalind tells Elena that Santiago is missing and asks her to look for him. It is almost a relief to leave her tedious job managing corporate properties, but she is shocked to see the damage left by the hurricane and horrified at the state of her father’s house.
Armed with photo albums she found among her father’s belongings, Elena travels around the island meeting relatives and her father’s old friends and learning about his past in the hopes of locating him. Through her journey, she witnesses the devastation weather wrought on Puerto Rico while discovering what the island means to her.
Told both from Elena’s point of view in the present and Santiago’s through flashbacks, 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘦 considers identity, intergenerational trauma, the impact of shame, and the meaning of success. Although internal monologues often dominate Elena’s sections, the mystery of Santiago’s fate provides a compelling forward momentum to the narrative. Franquil’s phrasing is impressive; her words are a delight to read even when expressing painful truths.
Thank you to @willliammorrowbooks and @netgalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Shortly after Hurricane Maria, Rosalind tells Elena that Santiago is missing and asks her to look for him. It is almost a relief to leave her tedious job managing corporate properties, but she is shocked to see the damage left by the hurricane and horrified at the state of her father’s house.
Armed with photo albums she found among her father’s belongings, Elena travels around the island meeting relatives and her father’s old friends and learning about his past in the hopes of locating him. Through her journey, she witnesses the devastation weather wrought on Puerto Rico while discovering what the island means to her.
Told both from Elena’s point of view in the present and Santiago’s through flashbacks, 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘦 considers identity, intergenerational trauma, the impact of shame, and the meaning of success. Although internal monologues often dominate Elena’s sections, the mystery of Santiago’s fate provides a compelling forward momentum to the narrative. Franquil’s phrasing is impressive; her words are a delight to read even when expressing painful truths.
Thank you to @willliammorrowbooks and @netgalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
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