8 Stunning Historical Novels by Latine Writers

When Beatriz marries Don Rodolfo Solórzano, she’s fully planning to ignore the rumors about his late wife’s death. But it turns out it’s hard to do that when you’re suddenly plagued by visions and voices. Especially when your only help is a young priest who just so happens to be a witch as well.

When a military coup in 1977 instates a dictatorship in Uruguay, oppression is brutal. One of the many transgressions is homosexuality, so five women turn to an isolated cape to live their lives as freely as possible. The book sees Romina, Flaca, Anita “La Venus”, Paz, and Malena move between Cabo Polonio and Montevideo for over three decades.

Paloma Larrea lives a perfect life with her parents in New York. But soon, a comment from an old schoolmate of her father’s leads her to question his past. A search through her parents’ lives during the last dictatorship in Argentina, aided by an activist group made up of the children of those who were forcibly disappeared, soon leads her to question her identity as well.

Set in Brazil, primarily in 1910 and 2010, the book follows the Flores women as they cope with a curse placed on them: their husbands won’t ever live for very long. Forced to rely only on themselves, they become lacemakers. Several generations later, 18-year-old Alice turns to a lace veil to find her heritage.

Another dual timeline novel, The House on Biscayne Bay is focused on the grand estate of Marbrisa and its inhabitants. First, Robert and Anna Barnes, the wealthy couple who built it, and generations later, Carmen Acosta, will all come to learn that Marbrisa might very well be too good to be true.

Set in 1551 Guatemala, the novel follows Catalina Cerrato as she embarks upon a quest to rewrite the sacred text of Popol Vuh, the forbidden history of the K’iche people. Born to a member of the Spanish hierarchy and a Mayan noblewoman, Catalina strives to confront and, if possible, reconcile her origins.

A car accident leaves fifteen-year-old Luz with dead parents and a brain injury. Trying to grapple with her new life, she welcomes new friends Ada and Shirley.

Decades later, Ada and Shirley’s daughter Graciela suggests taking a vacation in Puerto Rico to help Luz’s daughter Marysol better understand her mother. But you know what they say about best laid plans.

Set in Puerto Rico in the 19th century, the novel follows Pola, an African woman who is captured, enslaved, and forced to bear and birth future enslaved people. Once deeply spiritual, Pola loses her faith and self-love… until love in multiple forms helps her begin to heal.