Set in early 20th-century Colombia, Orange Wine, Esperanza Hope Snyder's debut novel, offers timeless themes of deception, love, loyalty, and hope.
Inés de la Rota, an inspiring protagonist who boldly commits to her path, narrates her story in a straightforward style. She is a bright young woman growing up when tradition and obedience to the Catholic Church discourages dreams. During her privileged childhood as one of four daughters among the rose gardens of her family's mansion in Paipa, Colombia, Inés learns poetry and refines her talent as an artist. But her mother also teaches her that "prettiness doesn't last forever." Urged to marry, Inés chooses a dashing, narcissistic musician who leaves her with two children and his debts.
Inés relates her pragmatic recovery from this defeat, which includes defying her sisters and the Church, all of whom scorn her nontraditional choices. She finds true love with devoted Régulo, but because she is a married woman, living with him would destroy his reputation. Nonetheless, their union brings joy, and opportunities for Inés's art to flourish. Magical realism infuses Inés's story; after she dreams of orange wine "slightly bitter on [her] tongue" but then giving "a sense of well-being," the couple crafts the drink with fruit from Régulo's family's trees. Régulo reveals that his clairvoyant ancestors predicted a woman with a "pure heart" would create a healing nectar from the oranges. Its success is a lovely metaphor for Inés's persistence in turning life's bitterness into sweetness. --Cheryl McKeon, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, N.Y.