GabRivera (2016)
Genre
Young Adult
Reading Time
270 min
Key Themes
See below
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Freshly out and reeling from family tension, Juliet Milagros Palante flees the Bronx for a Portland internship with her feminist idol, only to discover that navigating identity, love, and activism is far messier and more exhilarating than any book prepared her for.
Juliet Milagros Palante, a nineteen-year-old Puerto Rican lesbian from the Bronx, is accepted for a summer internship with her literary hero, Harlowe Brisbane, a white feminist author living in Portland, Oregon. This news excites Juliet, as she is eager to explore her identity and gain guidance from Harlowe. At the same time, Juliet decides to come out to her family, specifically her mother, Lourdes. The revelation is met with an uncomfortable silence and a lack of immediate acceptance from Lourdes. Juliet feels isolated and uncertain about her family's future relationship with her. Her older brother, Mateo, offers some support, but her mother's silence weighs heavily as Juliet prepares to leave for Portland, hoping the summer will provide clarity.
Juliet arrives in Portland, a city very different from the Bronx, and is picked up by Harlowe Brisbane. Harlowe is a charismatic but somewhat self-absorbed white woman who immediately introduces Juliet to her eclectic circle of friends, including the artistic Ava and the insightful Zaira. Juliet is initially star-struck but quickly begins to notice differences between Harlowe's public persona as a feminist guru and her actual interactions, particularly her tendency to center her own experiences. Juliet starts her internship, which involves organizing Harlowe's extensive library and assisting with her writing, but the initial glow of meeting her idol begins to fade as she observes Harlowe's less-than-inclusive behaviors.
As Juliet navigates her new surroundings, she spends more time with Ava and Zaira, who become important figures in her summer. Ava, a Black artist, introduces Juliet to the queer and art scenes in Portland, taking her to parties and community events. Zaira, a queer Black woman who works at a local bookstore, offers Juliet a more critical perspective on feminism and identity, challenging Juliet's ideas, particularly those influenced by Harlowe. Through these new friendships, Juliet begins to form her own understanding of community and belonging, separate from the direct mentorship she expected from Harlowe. She also starts developing a crush on Ava, adding another layer to her summer experience.
Juliet attends Harlowe's 'Radicalize Your Womyn' workshop, a cornerstone of Harlowe's public image. During the workshop, Harlowe's discussions on feminism and womanhood show a clear lack of intersectionality, often overlooking or simplifying the experiences of women of color and trans women. Juliet, along with Zaira and Ava, becomes increasingly uncomfortable with Harlowe's narrow definitions and privileged perspectives. The workshop shows the growing ideological gap between Harlowe's theoretical feminism and the lived realities and diverse needs of the attendees. This experience forces Juliet to re-evaluate her admiration for Harlowe and confront the limitations of her hero's teachings.
Following the workshop and several other instances of Harlowe's insensitivity, Juliet, Zaira, and Ava decide to confront Harlowe directly. They express their concerns about her exclusionary feminism, particularly her inability to acknowledge her privilege and her dismissal of intersectional perspectives. The conversation is tense and difficult, with Harlowe initially defensive and resistant to their critiques. This confrontation is a turning point for Juliet, as she realizes that Harlowe, despite her intellectual contributions, is not the infallible guru she once believed her to be. The encounter creates a significant emotional distance between Juliet and Harlowe, solidifying Juliet's growing independence of thought.
As Juliet spends more time with Ava, their connection deepens, and Juliet finds herself falling for Ava. Their relationship is a source of comfort and excitement for Juliet, offering a different kind of validation than she sought from Harlowe. However, their budding romance has its complexities. Ava, while caring and supportive, also has her own struggles and a history that occasionally surfaces, making their connection intense and sometimes challenging. Juliet grapples with her feelings for Ava, trying to understand what this new relationship means for her identity and her journey of self-discovery, especially after the emotional fallout with Harlowe.
With her disillusionment with Harlowe complete, Juliet increasingly turns to Zaira for guidance and intellectual mentorship. Zaira, with her sharp intellect and commitment to intersectional feminism, becomes the mentor Juliet initially sought in Harlowe. Zaira introduces Juliet to diverse authors, thinkers, and activists, helping Juliet understand race, class, gender, and sexuality in a way Harlowe never could. Zaira encourages Juliet to embrace her own unique voice and experiences as a queer Puerto Rican woman, empowering her to define feminism on her own terms. This shift in mentorship is important for Juliet's growth and understanding of herself and the world.
Juliet receives a visit from her older brother, Mateo, who travels from the Bronx to see her. Mateo brings news from home, including updates on their mother, Lourdes. His visit provides Juliet with a much-needed connection to her family and a sense of grounding. Mateo reveals that Lourdes, though still struggling, is beginning to process Juliet's coming out and is starting to miss her. This conversation opens a tentative path towards reconciliation between Juliet and her mother, suggesting that while acceptance may not be immediate, it is possible. Mateo's presence reinforces Juliet's familial ties and offers emotional support during a period of intense personal growth.
Harlowe organizes a community gathering at her home, bringing together many of the people Juliet has met throughout the summer, including Ava and Zaira. During this event, Harlowe, having reflected on the previous confrontations and critiques, offers a public apology for her past insensitivities and her failure to fully embrace intersectionality. While the apology is not perfect, it is a significant step for Harlowe and shows a willingness to learn and grow. This moment allows for a tentative healing of the rift between Harlowe and her community, and Juliet witnesses the power of accountability and collective dialogue in creating true understanding.
As the summer internship concludes, Juliet prepares to return to the Bronx. She has gained valuable experience and has undergone a transformation. She has learned to critically engage with ideas, forge her own path, and embrace her identity as a queer Puerto Rican woman. Her relationship with Ava has solidified, and she carries with her the wisdom and friendship of Zaira. With a clearer sense of self and a newfound confidence, Juliet is ready to face her family and continue the conversation about her identity, no longer seeking external validation but rooted in her own truth. The summer in Portland, though challenging, has empowered her to truly define her own narrative.
The Protagonist
Juliet transforms from an eager but uncertain young woman seeking external validation to a confident individual who defines her own identity and understanding of feminism.
The Supporting
Harlowe moves from a position of unexamined privilege and defensiveness to one of greater self-awareness and a willingness to learn from her community.
The Supporting
Ava provides Juliet with a loving and supportive relationship, helping her navigate her personal growth and self-acceptance.
The Supporting
Zaira guides Juliet toward a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of feminism and identity, becoming the mentor Juliet truly needed.
The Supporting
Lourdes slowly begins to process and potentially accept Juliet's identity, moving from silence to a tentative path of reconciliation.
The Supporting
Mateo consistently supports Juliet, helping to bridge the gap between her new life and her family.
The Mentioned
N/A
The Mentioned
N/A
The novel focuses on Juliet's journey to understand her multifaceted identity as a queer Puerto Rican woman. She grapples with what it means to be a lesbian, how her cultural heritage intersects with her sexuality, and how to define herself outside of others' expectations. Her move to Portland and her interactions with Harlowe, Ava, and Zaira force her to critically examine her beliefs and embrace her unique voice. This theme is evident as Juliet questions Harlowe's universalizing feminism and finds empowerment in Zaira's intersectional teachings, leading her to a more authentic sense of self.
“Maybe this whole summer was just a way for me to find my own voice. Not Harlowe's voice, not my mom's voice, not even Ava's voice. Just my own.”
A central theme is the critique of mainstream, white-centric feminism through Juliet's disillusionment with Harlowe Brisbane. Harlowe's 'Radicalize Your Womyn' workshop and her general discourse show a lack of awareness regarding race, class, and trans experiences. In contrast, Zaira and Ava introduce Juliet to intersectional feminism, which acknowledges how different forms of oppression intersect. Juliet learns that true feminism must be inclusive and consider the diverse experiences of all women, not just those from privileged backgrounds. This ideological clash drives Juliet's intellectual and emotional growth.
“Feminism isn't just about women. It's about intersectionality. It's about how race, class, gender, and sexuality all come together to make us who we are.”
Juliet's relationship with her family, particularly her mother Lourdes, forms an emotional backdrop. Her coming out is met with silence and discomfort, creating a rift that Juliet hopes to heal. The novel explores the pain of familial non-acceptance and the slow, often difficult, process of reconciliation. Mateo's support acts as a bridge, and by the end, there is a hopeful indication that Lourdes is beginning to process Juliet's identity. This theme highlights the challenges many LGBTQ+ individuals face in securing acceptance from their loved ones and the importance of family.
“I wanted my mom to say something, anything, besides silence. Silence was the heaviest thing I'd ever felt.”
The theme of mentorship is explored through Juliet's changing relationships with Harlowe and Zaira. Initially, Juliet idolizes Harlowe, seeking her as a mentor to guide her queer feminist journey. However, she experiences disillusionment as Harlowe's limitations and problematic views become apparent. This leads Juliet to find a more authentic and inclusive mentor in Zaira, who truly helps her grow. The novel suggests that mentorship is not about finding a perfect guru, but about learning to critically evaluate, absorb diverse perspectives, and ultimately, become one's own guide.
“Harlowe wasn't a god. She was just a woman, doing her best, but sometimes her best wasn't good enough for all of us.”
Juliet's journey involves finding a sense of belonging outside of her initial family and idol. In Portland, she discovers a queer community through Ava and Zaira, attending parties, art shows, and discussions that resonate with her. This newfound community provides her with support, understanding, and a place where her multiple identities are celebrated. The novel emphasizes the importance of chosen family and finding spaces where one feels seen and valued, especially when traditional familial structures may not offer immediate acceptance.
“This was what community felt like. Not just being around people, but being seen by them.”
Juliet's internal thoughts and reflections expressed as unsent letters.
Throughout the novel, Juliet writes unsent letters to Harlowe Brisbane, her feminist idol. These letters serve as a powerful plot device, allowing the reader direct access to Juliet's evolving thoughts, feelings, and critical observations. They track her initial awe, her growing disillusionment, and her ultimate intellectual independence. The letters provide a deeply personal and intimate narrative voice, revealing Juliet's internal struggles and growth in real-time, functioning almost like a diary that she addresses to her changing perception of her hero.
The narrative structure follows Juliet's transition from adolescence to young adulthood.
The entire plot is framed as a coming-of-age story, focusing on Juliet's summer of self-discovery. Her journey from the Bronx to Portland symbolizes her transition from a familiar, somewhat sheltered existence to a more independent and challenging world. The narrative arc follows her grappling with identity, sexuality, family conflict, and intellectual disillusionment. This device allows for exploration of typical adolescent themes like first love and finding one's place, but through the specific lens of queer, Puerto Rican identity, making her growth multi-layered and impactful.
Geographical locations representing different stages of Juliet's identity.
The contrasting settings of the Bronx and Portland serve as significant symbolic plot devices. The Bronx represents Juliet's roots, family, cultural heritage, and the initial discomfort of her coming out. Portland, on the other hand, symbolizes new beginnings, self-exploration, queer community, and a more expansive, albeit sometimes problematic, understanding of feminism. The physical distance between the two places mirrors Juliet's emotional and intellectual journey away from her past assumptions and towards a more independent future, even as she carries her heritage with her.
A central event that exposes ideological clashes and drives character development.
Harlowe Brisbane's 'Radicalize Your Womyn' workshop acts as a pivotal plot device. It is initially presented as the culmination of Harlowe's wisdom, but instead becomes the catalyst for Juliet's disillusionment. The workshop scenes are where Harlowe's lack of intersectionality and privilege are most explicitly revealed, leading to the direct confrontation between Juliet, Zaira, Ava, and Harlowe. This event forces Juliet to critically examine her idol and actively seek out more inclusive forms of feminism, propelling her character arc forward and establishing Zaira as her true mentor.
“I was looking for a sign to quit my shitty job, to stop dating the same person I’d been dating since high school, to stop living in the same house I’d grown up in and the same town I’d always lived in. I was looking for a sign to make some moves and shake some things up.”
— Juliet reflects on her life before leaving for Portland.
“There’s a freedom in knowing your own power, in knowing you don’t need anyone else to validate you.”
— Juliet's internal realization about self-worth.
“Feminism isn’t just for white women. It’s for everyone. It needs to be for everyone. If it’s not, then it’s not really feminism.”
— Juliet's growing understanding of intersectional feminism.
“Sometimes you have to break things to make them better.”
— A general reflection on necessary destruction for growth.
“It’s okay to be angry. It’s okay to feel everything. It’s okay to not be okay. Just don’t get stuck there.”
— Juliet receives advice about processing emotions.
“Being a queer brown girl is a superpower. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
— Juliet embraces her identity.
“The world isn’t just black and white. There are so many shades of gray, so many colors in between. And that’s where the magic happens.”
— Juliet learns to appreciate complexity and nuance.
“You can’t fix everyone, and you can’t save everyone. Sometimes you just have to save yourself.”
— Juliet learns about boundaries and self-preservation.
“The people who love you will love you for exactly who you are, even when you’re still figuring that out.”
— Juliet reflects on the nature of true love and acceptance.
“Writing is breathing. It’s how I make sense of the world, how I put all the swirling thoughts and feelings into some kind of order.”
— Juliet expresses the importance of writing in her life.
“Sometimes the biggest lessons come from the people you least expect.”
— Juliet reflects on her unexpected mentors and teachers.
“Your voice matters. Your story matters. Don’t ever let anyone silence you.”
— A message of encouragement to speak up and share one's truth.
“Home isn't always a place. Sometimes it's a feeling. Sometimes it's a person. And sometimes, it's yourself.”
— Juliet's evolving understanding of what 'home' means.
“It’s about showing up for yourself, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.”
— Juliet learns the importance of self-advocacy and perseverance.
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