Antonia

Antonia is the novel’s protagonist. She is originally from the Dominican Republic, but she has lived in the United States for nearly her entire life. She is in her mid-sixties, she lives in Vermont, and she is a retired literature professor. Her husband, Sam, recently died of a sudden aortic aneurysm, and Antonia is still struggling with the pain of that bereavement. She tries to lead a quiet life routine in her retirement, but she often feels lonely and directionless. One day, Antonia’s sister Izzy goes missing, and Antonia and her other sisters begin trying to find her. Around the same time as Izzy’s disappearance, a young undocumented Mexican immigrant named Mario asks for Antonia’s help. Mario’s fiancée, Estela, has arrived in the United States but needs money to take a bus to Vermont. Somewhat reluctantly, Antonia agrees to pay for the...