Olga Dies Dreaming

What role do real estate development and real estate developers play in this novel? Contrast the novel’s treatment of home ownership versus property ownership.

Who is Olga at the end of the novel? Is she like the Olga of “Puerto Rican Obituary” or Olga Garriga? Why?

How does Prieto grow over the course of the novel? How has he been freed by his experiences in 2017?

Compare and contrast at least two of the novel’s antagonists: the hurricanes, Blanca, the Selbys, and Dick. How are they the same? Different?

We see several mother figures in Tía Lola, Abuelita, and Blanca. Discuss motherhood in this novel. How does it shape children?

Consider the role of law enforcement in the novel, comparing the uses of the FBI and the PROMESA oversight hearings. How does the novel treat these institutions of crime deterrence?

What does it mean that Puerto Rico is an American colony? What does this novel say about the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States?

Olga and Prieto grieve their father and grandmother, while Matteo grieves his mother. How does grief shape the novel’s characters?