The controversial author of American Dirt has written a new novel that takes place in New York, St. Louis and Puerto Rico. It follows a family from 1968 to 2023, beginning with the childhood of Rafaela Acuna y Daubon, a beauty born into a wealthy Puerto Rican family. Rafaela marries a man from the mainland and leaves her homeland for St. Louis. Speak to Me of Home describes her life as well as the lives of Rafaela’s children and grandchildren.

Speak to Me of Home is a nice summer read, but it lacks the tension, drama and unforgettable characters of American Dirt. The characters are rather bland and when the family encounters tragedy and crises, I felt far removed from their experiences. Lastly, each chapter takes place in a different city in a different year, but it is not chronological. I can’t imagine why Jeanine Cummins decided to present the novel this way.