The Ladies of Managua
Author: Eleni N. Gage
In The Ladies of Managua, Ms. Gage presents Isabela, her daughter Ninexin and her granddaughter Mariana (called Maria), in a trinity of three Nicaraguan women, living in an acuity of emotional drama in a portrait of mothers, daughters, and the men that they love: husbands, brothers, fathers and lovers that got away. A succulent, insouciant surface explodes as Isabela’s husband dies, and Ninexin and her daughter Mariana are forced to deal with Isabela’s grief as well as their own losses which are lurking under the surface.
Isabela has left her first and true Mauricio at the altar to please her family and marry Ignacio. At Ignacio’s funeral, she must face the question: did she do the right thing?
Ninexin, Isabela and Ignacio’s daughter, left her small baby, Mariana, with her parents and became a revolutionary for Nicaragua. She watched as her young husband, Manuel, was shot and killed. Ninexin carries the guilt of a mother who in involved with her child but is more involved with her vocation to save Nicaragua.
Mariana is at a crossroads. Her boyfriend Allen is a famous painter and the next step is marriage or leaving him. And Mariana is angry at Ninexin for leaving her with Isabela and Ignacio. And she is pregnant.
As all three women face the death of husband, father and grandfather, they discover the forgiveness they carry in their hearts for each other as they ponder and struggle with going on. Isabela finds Mauricio again, Ninexin finds her daughter, and Mariana makes a decision about her future with Allen.
Stunningly written, and beautifully wrought, The Ladies of Managua is that rare women’s novel that lives on after it is finished. Ms. Gage captures Nicaragua and her characters within a moment in time where they all coalesce and reform into the present, whole. READ!!
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Overall: 3.5
Review by Broad “A”
We received a copy of this title for our book review. All opinions are our own
The Ladies of Managua: A Novel
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