During her visit, Henríquez joined WFS students for a conversation about her novel “The Book of Unknown Americans.” Student panels at both events helped guide the discussion, asking questions about what inspired the story, the role of multiple narrators, and how literature can help readers better understand the immigrant experience. Henríquez shared that her father’s journey—and the negative narratives she often heard about immigrants—inspired her to write a story that serves as a counterbalance to those perceptions.

 

She explained that using multiple narrators allowed readers to see the immigrant experience from many perspectives, creating a more nuanced understanding of the characters and their lives. While Henríquez noted that changing minds about immigration was not her primary intention, she described writing as a way to explore complex and “murky” questions and search for deeper truths. Students also reflected on who the story might impact most—immigrant communities whose experiences are represented, as well as readers encountering these perspectives for the first time.

 

Thank you to Cristina Henríquez for sharing her time, insights, and powerful storytelling with our community!