Like Happiness

The book "M. Domínguez" is about Tatum Vega, who writes fan mail to the author and is drawn into an all-consuming and undefinable relationship with him. Over a decade later, a reporter contacts her, accusing Domínguez of assault, and Tatum decides to tell her story in a letter to him, recounting and reclaiming their decades-long relationship.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2024
Publisher: Pushkin Press

The book catches Tatum Vega's eye in the bookstore, adorned with a diamond-studded Puerto Rico constellation on a black vellum cover. Its enigmatic name, M. Domínguez, is nestled in the lower right-hand corner. For Tatum, who feels out of place at a prestigious East Coast college, it becomes a lifeline. She embarks on a journey by writing her first piece of fan mail to the author. To her surprise, the author responds, initiating an all-consuming and enigmatic relationship with the older, charismatic Domínguez.

Over a decade later, Tatum has built a new life for herself, carefully distancing herself from her past. However, when a reporter contacts her out of the blue, seeking corroboration for an assault accusation against Domínguez, Tatum's carefully constructed separation begins to crumble. Determined to find clarity, Tatum decides to tell her story in a different way: through a letter to Domínguez, recounting and reclaiming the entirety of their decades-long relationship, from the day they met to the shocking night it all imploded.

The letter becomes a cathartic journey, allowing Tatum to confront the complexities of their relationship and the choices she made along the way. She reflects on the moments of love, passion, and betrayal, as well as the sacrifices she made to be with Domínguez. Through her words, Tatum seeks to understand the man she once loved and to find closure in their tumultuous relationship.

As she finishes the letter, Tatum feels a sense of release and empowerment. She has reclaimed her story, and in doing so, she has gained a deeper understanding of herself and the complexities of human relationships. The book, which had once been a source of solace, now holds a new meaning for her, a reminder of the power of storytelling and the ability to heal wounds.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 223 x 144 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911590927