America Is Not the Heart

In a single lifetime, Hero De Vera can lead three lives. She was disowned by her parents in the Philippines and came to America to start a new life. Her uncle, Pol, and his younger wife, Paz, offer her a place to stay in the Bay Area. Only their daughter, Roni, and beautician Rosalyn, have any hope of bringing Hero back from the dead.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2019
Publisher: Atlantic Books

Longlisted for the prestigious Aspen Literary Prize in 2019, this captivating novel has also garnered recognition as a finalist for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize in 2018 and a nominee for Elle's esteemed Big Book Award in 2018. Additionally, it has been featured on the Evening Standard's Wander List Guide to 2019 Getaways, highlighting its allure as a destination for literary enthusiasts.

The story revolves around Hero De Vera, a young woman who arrives in America, disowned by her parents in the Philippines. She is already on her third life, a secret known only to her uncle, Pol, and his younger wife, Paz. Hero's hands seem to scream with hurt at the steering wheel of the car she drives to collect her from school, and only Rosalyn, the fierce but open-hearted beautician, has any hope of bringing Hero back from the dead.

As Hero navigates her way through the complexities of her new life in the Bay Area, she begins to unravel the mysteries of her past. Her uncle, Pol, is a powerful man with a dark past, and his family is shrouded in secrecy. Paz, his wife, is a mysterious woman who knows enough about the De Vera family to keep her head down.

Roni, Hero's daughter, is curious about her mother's past and asks Hero why her hands seem to scream with hurt at the steering wheel of the car. Rosalyn, the beautician, is the only one who has any hope of bringing Hero back from the dead. She is a fierce but open-hearted woman who has a deep connection with Hero and is determined to help her find her way back to life.

The novel explores the themes of identity, family, and forgiveness. Hero must confront her past and come to terms with the choices she has made in order to move forward. She must also learn to forgive herself and those who have hurt her in the past in order to find peace and happiness.

The writing is exquisite, with vivid descriptions and powerful emotions that will leave readers feeling deeply connected to the characters. The novel is also filled with suspense and mystery, as Hero and Rosalyn work together to uncover the secrets of the De Vera family and bring Hero back from the dead.

Overall, "The Third Life of Hero De Vera" is a stunning and powerful novel that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to transport readers to new worlds and explore the depths of the human heart.

Weight: 296g
Dimension: 198 x 179 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786491350
Edition number: Main