Book Review: Tías and Primas by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez
There are books you admire, books you enjoy, and then there are books that feel like they’re speaking directly to your soul. Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez’s Tías and Primas: On Knowing and Loving the Women Who Raise Us is undoubtedly in the latter category. From the first chapter, I was captivated by the author’s poetic voice and piercing insights into what it means to grow up surrounded by the fierce, flawed, and loving women who shape us.
Prisca is a storyteller in the truest sense. In Tías and Primas, she invites us into the heart of her family—a world where laughter and sacrifice coexist, where tías and primas are not just relatives but bearers of tradition, protectors, and warriors in their own right. The book is both a love letter and a critique, acknowledging the complexities of family life while celebrating the beauty of the bonds that hold us together.
Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez, author of Tías and Primas, celebrates the strength and stories of the women who raise us
A Personal Connection
What resonated most with me was the way Prisca weaves her personal narrative into broader cultural and historical contexts. Her reflections on machismo and intergenerational trauma hit close to home, but so did her celebrations of resilience and joy. Reading this book felt like peeling back the layers of my own family history and seeing it through a new, complicated and compassionate lens.
One passage in particular stayed with me. Prisca writes about her grandmother’s hands—how they were worn from years of labor, yet tender in their touch. That image brought tears to my eyes as I thought of my own Abuelita, who could communicate love more profoundly in gestures than, she, or most people can with words.
A Conversation Starter
If you’re in a book club (or looking to start one), or just a book lover Tías and Primas is an ideal pick. It’s the kind of book that sparks conversations about family, identity, and the ways we carry our ancestors’ stories and generational titles within us. During my own reading, I found myself pausing to jot down questions like:
- How do we honor the sacrifices of the women who came before us and how to honor our own indivual paths forward?
- In what ways do our familial relationships empower or constrain us?
- What traditions do we carry forward, and which ones do we leave behind?
These are not easy questions, but Prisca tackles them with a generosity of spirit that invites readers to do the same.
Expand Your Bookshelf
If you loved Tías and Primas, here are a few other titles that are on my TBR list:
- Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner – A deeply moving exploration of food, family, and grief.
- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros – A cornerstone of Latina literature that continues to inspire.
- My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes – A lyrical memoir about cultural duality and self-discovery.
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer – A profound meditation on nature, culture, and reciprocity.
Join the Conversation
At This Is Topeka, we’re committed to building a vibrant literary community. Have you read Tías and Primas? Are there other books you think we should feature? Email us at [email protected] with your reviews, suggestions, or ideas for future book discussions. We’re also looking for contributors who are passionate about sharing their perspectives on the written word.
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Support Local Literature
If you’re wondering what to do in Topeka this weekend, consider visiting local bookstores or the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library to pick up a copy of Tías and Primas. Books like this remind us of the power of storytelling to build bridges, deepen empathy, and inspire change.
Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez has given us a gift with Tías and Primas. It’s a book that will make you laugh, cry, and most importantly, reflect on the women who have shaped your life. Don’t miss the chance to experience it for yourself.
