Norwalk author highlights Latina struggles in critically-acclaimed novel

Francine Rodriguez gives a reading of her book, “A Woman’s Story.” Audiences engaged with the novel for highlighting Latinas’ struggles in America.

Francine Rodriguez’s third novel, “A Woman’s Story,” is a series of short stories inspired by actual events that highlight the hardships of Latinas and women of color.

“These are based on stories told to me when I worked in law oncology,” said Rodriguez. “I was thinking of a way to tell them. I had published two novels, so I decided to write them in a anthology.”

Rodriguez grew up in Los Angeles and showed a natural ability to be descriptive and detailed in her work. She later became a Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Investigator in the Federal sector, strengthening her attention to detail and imagery. 

“We had a training exercise where I was in a dark room and I was told to pay attention to what was about to happen and write as much detail as I could,” the author explained. “The lights would go on really quick and two people would try to rob you, then turn off and they were gone. I had to describe them based on that quick glimpse.

Rodriguez’s book has earned acclaim from authors such as Nikolas Gonzales who said, “Once again author Francine Rodriguez proves that she is the eyes and ears of Latina Realism.”

Liliana Conlisk Gallegos, Ph.D., Decolonial Media Studies at CSU San Bernardino says, “In a unique and unlikely feminist reclaiming of dirty realism,” Francine Rodriguez’s novel takes reader on a journey of the “inner working of identity-based marginalization.”

“A Woman’s Story” was also awarded “Best Collection of Short Stories – English” by the International Latino Book Awards.

Francine Rodriguez’s novel can be ordered on Amazon.

Rodriguez starts the novel by throwing readers into a hospital room in May 2020. In the chapter, “Ten Days in May,”  the local author creates vivid first-person imagery of a Latina nurse intubating her COVID-19 patient and connecting him to a ventilator.

She walks the audience through the nurse’s life and the abuse the nurse faces from colleges and patients. The author also takes time to give attention to other doctors and nurses of color.

The Norwalk author continues to engage readers with the chapter, “Smiley and Laughing Girl.” By choosing to start the chapter with action, as one character is shot by MS 13, Rodriguez says it is one of her favorite stories in the book.

Rodriguez had to advocate for her novel to get published, as several publishing houses rejected the book. 

She finally resorted to publishing the book in pieces, and sent stories such as “I Still Like Pink” and “Smiley and Laughing Girl” to literary journals. Rodriguez gained the attention of Madville Publishing, who agreed to publish the novel for its unique stories.