Review: Infinite Country

By Patricia Engel (Simon & Schuster, 2021)

Prizewinning author Patricia Engel explores themes of family and immigration in her new novel Infinite Country. Fifteen-year-old Talia comes of age with her maternal grandmother Perla and her father Mauro in Bogotá, Colombia, while Talia's siblings and mother Elena live in New Jersey. This emotional territory is likely to resonate with anyone who has been separated from loved ones whether by political borders or other circumstances.

Settings and characters are cinematically rendered, pulling readers into the complex and suspenseful dynamics of a contemporary family torn by circumstances beyond their control. Engel, whose parents were born in Colombia, flavors the text with occasional Spanish words and writing that is poetic in its tone and imagery. One of my favorite books of 2021, full of timely themes and unforgettable characters. Read my full review at BookBrowse.