Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

Appearing on the recommended LibraryReads list in July, FRUIT OF THE DRUNKEN TREE by Ingrid Rojas Contreras is a work of literary fiction which may also appeal to teens due to the age of some of the characters involved and to the setting in 1990s Bogotá with threats from drug lords like Pablo Escobar, kidnappings, and car bomb violence. Rojas Contreras tells the story in alternating first person chapters of Chula Santiago, a seven-year-old girl at the novel’s opening, and Petrona Sanchez, her family’s maid. Chula has led a sheltered middle class life, lives in a gated community, and is especially naïve at first in contrast to teenaged Petrona who must work to support her family living in the slums. This debut author has crafted a story of female empowerment and coming of age which has drawn comparisons to Isabelle Allende and praise from both Sandra Cisneros and Julia Alvarez:

 
“When women tell stories, they are finally at the center of the page. When women of color write history, we see the world as we have never seen it before. In Fruit of the Drunken Tree, Ingrid Rojas Contreras honors the lives of girls who witness war. Brava! I was swept up by this story.” --SANDRA CISNEROS, author of THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET

"A coming of age story, an immigrant story, a thrilling mystery novel, thoroughly lived and felt—this is an exciting debut novel that showcases a writer already in full command of her powers." --JULIA ALVAREZ, author of IN THE TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES
 

The New York Times review described this novel as filled with “vividly specific details .... sensitive and thoughtful.” FRUIT OF THE DRUNKEN TREE received starred review from both Booklist and Library Journal.