I really enjoyed the writing style. I decided to listen to the audiobook and it was fantastic on audio. This made me want to go back and read Karla's last book!

I was pretty underwhelmed with this book. It is not my kind of novel, it is a lot of musings and not a lot of plot. The way the character's musings are presented felt a lot like they could've been an essay but were thinly veiled as fiction. I loved KCV's nonfiction and feel her writing is stronger in that form and that this book was trying to do that in fiction that didn't land for me.

Catalina Ituralde is a student at Harvard University and her whole family's hopes and dreams rest on her success at Harvard and beyond. She's also undocumented and this causes challenges and stresses that her peers can't begin to imagine or understand. Set in the days before DACA, the novel explores themes of belonging, privilege, identity, and cultural appropriation. At times, Catalina seems almost (understandably) detached from her own story, and this gives the novel a dream-like quality. I didn't love it, but I can appreciate that Catalina (the novel) is an important contribution to our understanding of what it means to be undocumented in the U.S. and gives voice to those experiences.

Villavicencio's writing is disconcertingly evocative, inserting the reader not just into the story, but truly into the mind of our eponymous protagonist, Catalina. The writing feels deeply personal in a way that challenges readers and their perceptions, while bringing to light a story that so critically needs to be told.

Catalina is a novel following a young woman who is undocumented. Catalina came to the United States from Ecuador to live with her grandparents after the tragic death of her mother and father. Catalina is a student at Harvard. As she navigates this environment, she is also dealing with her undocumented status and what it will mean for her future.

Cornejo Villavicencio's The Undocumented Americans was one of my favorite books in 2020 so I was so excited to read Catalina! Catalina gives an important voice to characters we don't always see in fiction, people who are undocumented in the United States. Catalina reflects a young woman who has made it to a coveted spot in American society by being a student at Harvard. While Catalina has found her place at Harvard working at a museum and writing her dissertation, she is also astounded by the people around her and their lifestyles. In so many ways Catalina fits in and has a way of charming everyone around her, but she is also aware if how out of touch these people are.

Catalina is written in a stream of consciousness style. You read about Catalina working, going to school, and interacting with the people around her, but you also get to the depths of her thoughts and feelings as she discusses her past, her family, and her thoughts on all of the things she is going through. Catalina felt like such a unique read because of this. I loved being in Catalina's head, experiencing everything through her amusing and sometimes dramatic point of view.

While this writing style may not be for everyone, I absolutely loved it and this book solidified my love for this author and her storytelling.

Thank you One World and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a wonderful novel and I’m surprised at how much was packed into just over 200 pages. I really liked Catalina’s voice and even the minutiae of her days felt interesting; the prose is clear and lovely. I enjoyed the way this story was told and though I don’t think a whole lot of time was spent on descriptions, the characters all felt real and the portrait painted was stark. Catalina reminds me why I love contemporary literary fiction, and while there were definitely points where my attention wandered a bit, it’s still an excellent novel and well worth the read.

This is a delightful stream-of-conscious style book. We’re just vibing with Catalina as she navigates being an undocumented immigrant attending Harvard in her final year, struggling in her relationship with her (also undocumented) grandparents and with the weight of her unknown future. She’s dry and witty and full of raw honesty. I loved being in her mind as she jumped from thought to thought. She felt so real as a person, which make sense, as I believe this is semi-autobiographical. There’s some plot but it ends up mostly unresolved, so I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who doesn’t love character-driven open-ended books. I don’t typically reach for this style, but I think that this was so well done, especially as a debut novel

An intriguing, deeply personal campus novel about a year in the life of an undocumented Ecuadorian American student at Harvard. Catalina feels so real and complicated and intricately crafted in a way that makes the reader feel like you really know her. I was drawn in right away and still wanted to sit with the characters and story long after it was finished.

"Catalina" delves into the intricacies of an immigrant's journey, from Ecuador to Harvard, navigating identity, love, and humor amidst challenges. Catalina's narrative, born of tragedy yet imbued with resilience, offers a poignant exploration of her multifaceted emotions. The book masterfully balances vulnerability with humor, creating a nostalgic and relatable atmosphere.
The protagonist's chaotic charm adds depth without overshadowing the book's cultural commentary. Each line evokes a range of emotions, from shock to amusement, seamlessly weaving a tapestry of Catalina's experiences. The author's skill lies in portraying nuance, capturing Catalina's nuanced feelings towards her existence.
The characters, far from being archetypes, emerge as real, unpredictable individuals, evoking empathy and surprise. While the timeline can be initially confusing, the story's complexity and emotional impact remain undiminished. The shifts in narration, though occasionally tangential, maintain a fast-paced, engaging narrative.
Villavicencio's prose deftly blends cultural critique with Catalina's personal journey, highlighting the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in elite academic settings. Catalina's unapologetic voice and sharp observations add depth to the narrative, even as occasional tangents may briefly divert from the main plot.
In conclusion, "Catalina" is a compelling and thought-provoking read, recommended for its emotional depth, relatable characters, and insightful commentary on identity and resilience.

I wish I loved this more because it is so unique and important. There were parts that really pulled me in but unfortunately many parts that just went on and on and I ended up skimming through trying to get through them and back to the good parts.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Catalina is a beautiful novel about a Harvard student living with the secret of being undocumented. The novel takes place before the Dreamers act (DACA) was enacted. Catalina attends Harvard and fears graduation as she cannot legally work. She thrives in unpaid internships, and hides a secret because she does not know who to trust. She arrived in the US as a child, lives with her grandparents, and hides in plain sight. This novel is a beautiful story about belonging and family. It brings to light a very real issue for many living in the US.


Well intentioned boyfriends and families use their weight to bring light to her situation, but are they helpful?


This is a wonderful novel with so much depth to it. It is easy to read and I was in love with Catalina and her grandparents.

*Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of "Catalina" by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio.

I have to say that I ~LOVE~ the way this author writes. (Maybe it's because her writing style feels similar to my own.) The way she crafts sentences, describes things, so simple and real and yet stunningly beautiful. Cornejo Villavicencio writes in a very realistic way, as if she were just your friend and this is her diary. I can't wait to see what else this author comes out with in the future!

What a unique, timely debut! This character-driven, coming-of-age, stream of consciousness novel felt chaotic, relatable, and honest. I found the focus on undocumented immigrants, identity, culture and purpose relevant, fascinating and compelling.

I was excited to read Catalina, prepares to love it. While some parts of the story resonated with me, it didn't quite pull me in and keep my attention. This could have been to do with the wtiting atyle, which jumps around as if youre in the main character's stream of consciousness. Catalina is a bit out of my usual reading comfort zone, so this could just not be for me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

I wanted so badly to love Catalina. The premise is something I would usually enjoy, a combination of commentary on class and racial divide and America’s flawed immigration system, however I did not enjoy the reading experience. This book contained so many pieces of beautiful writing, however I found that this incredibly short work felt very long. I wanted to feel so much, but every character felt slightly one dimensional me. The chapters were also too long and unfocused for my preferences.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I typically am drawn to plot-heavy books but every once in a while the character really is the thing. Catalina by Karla Conrnejo Villavicencio is a character-driven novel with such a strong and present voice in the main character that I was totally drawn into her world and story.

The bonus is that Catalina was an undocumented person in the US in 2010 with the background of the DREAM Act so we also learn about life from the perspective of someone with different life experiences than ourselves--which makes for great storytelling.

I enjoyed meeting Catalina and recommend this to folks who would welcome a different reading experience.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Catalina is available now.

Catalina is a look into the injustices of undocumented immigrants through one young woman's perspective. Catalina is a Harvard student who grew up in America with her undocumented grandparents. We follow her through college and her experience in America, delving into the racism and prejudices she faces daily.

The book is basically Catalina’s inner monologue, so it can be hard to follow, and some parts might not hold your interest. But Catalina herself is such a fascinating character. This format presented the struggles and exploitation, big and small, of living undocumented. The stylistic narration style allowed Catalina to showcase every part of her identity and interactions, the good and the bad.

Overall, Catalina is a thought-provoking read that forces the reader to confront uncomfortable interactions and subjects in a very personal way. It sticks with you and makes you think and learn. Due to the odd narration style, this won’t be for everyone, but if you love thorough character development that’s blended with great social commentary I highly recommend this!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is an absolute gem! The stream-of-consciousness writing style pulled me in right away—immersive, raw, and brimming with emotion. And Catalina? She’s an instantly iconic character. Complex, witty, and vulnerable, she’s the kind of protagonist that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Villavicencio weaves Catalina’s inner world so beautifully, with her sharp humor and heartbreaking honesty, that you can’t help but root for her. If you’re looking for a novel with depth, wit, and a character you’ll love and ache for in equal measure, this one’s for you!

This debut novel follows Catalina through her time as a student at Harvard; her whip-smart stream-of-consciousness the lens through which the reader experiences her journey. I’m going to quote @thesouthphillyreader here, because I adore how she said this: “Sometimes we describe books as all plot, sometimes we describe them as no plot just vibes, and Catalina is forging its own path…no plot, all voice.”

As a character, Catalina has a voice like no other I’ve read before, and one I’d like to live in my head always. Her biting social commentary and dead-pan humor crackle across the pages of her story, which glitters with so many thought-provoking and hilarious one-liners that I nearly ran out of tabs annotating my copy.

Catalina is undocumented, which is a key element to the story and lends a uniquely important and underrepresented perspective to the campus novel — but she’s also *just a girl*; in turns bored, sad, restless, jaded, curious, angry, earnest, vulnerable, or some combination of the above. Her alternating dry humor and self-aware melodrama across so much of the novel are brilliant, and also render the rare moments in which she’s genuinely impressed, moved, or dazzled all the more vibrant.

Catalina commentates on wide-ranging themes and moments big and small in a true stream-of-consciousness style, daydreams and all, ultimately giving us a captivating — albeit meandering — and utterly unique literary gem. (I loved the meandering, tbh.)