How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water: A Novel

Written by Angie Cruz

Narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Rossmery Almonte

This program features original sound design.

"Together, [narrators] Almonte and Wetherell are the key to this exceptional novel. A brilliantly narrated immigrant story, spiked with heart and flair, that will have patrons rooting for Cara’s success." - Library Journal

"Rossmery Almonte's pitch-perfect narration of Angie Cruz's inventive new novel transports listeners into the tumultuous, funny, heartrending world of Cara Romero...With her sibilant Spanish accent and musical intonations, Almonte's Cara is unforgettable as she launches her fierce, strong, and witty self straight into our hearts."- AudioFile Magazine

"Audiobook newbie Rossmery Almonte impressively commands most of the recording as fiercely tenacious yet surprisingly charming Cara. That Almonte shares Dominican roots with both her character and author Cruz...undoubtedly enhances the expert production." - Booklist

“One of my favorite books I have read in years.” —Quiara Alegria Hudes, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter of In the Heights

From the beloved author of Dominicana, a GMA Book Club Pick and Women’s Prize Finalist, an electrifying and indelible new audiobook novel about a woman who has lost everything but the chance to finally tell her story.

Write this down: Cara Romero wants to work.

Cara Romero thought she would work at the factory of little lamps for the rest of her life. But when, in her mid-50s, she loses her job in the Great Recession, she is forced back into the job market for the first time in decades. Set up with a job counselor, Cara instead begins to narrate the story of her life. Over the course of twelve sessions, Cara recounts her tempestuous love affairs, her alternately biting and loving relationships with her neighbor Lulu and her sister Angela, her struggles with debt, gentrification and loss, and, eventually, what really happened between her and her estranged son, Fernando. As Cara confronts her darkest secrets and regrets, we see a woman buffeted by life but still full of fight.

Structurally inventive and emotionally kaleidoscopic, How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water is Angie Cruz’s most ambitious and moving novel yet, and Cara is a heroine for the ages.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Sep 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781250868817

Angie Cruz

Angie Cruz is the author of the novels Soledad, Let It Rain Coffee, a finalist in 2007 for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and Dominicana, which was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020. She has published work in the New York Times, VQR, Gulf Coast Literary Journal, and other publications, and has received fellowships from the New York Foundation of the Arts, Yaddo, and the MacDowell Colony. She is founder and editor in chief of Aster(ix), a literary and arts journal, and is an associate professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh.

Reviews for How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water

[Lucy Gonzalez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I could not stop listening! The narrator pulled me in.

[Allison J. Parker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator is superbly perfect. One of my favorite books ever, I will miss the main character, she reminds me of the strong older ladies I card for in NYC. Truly memorable.

[Yomaira Reyes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This reminded me of home in a way I could not have expected. I enjoyed every minute of this book!

[Miranda Wiklund Melander · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a lovely story. And the narration by Rossmery Almonte is delightful!

[Latrice K Springs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

6 stars. Well done and well read. Carmen came to life so clearly for me. All the struggles and the complexity of herself so well documented I was truly sorry for this to end. All the things here. Highly recommend.??????????

[Diana Lopez-Logan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the beer audiobooks I have ever listened to. The voice covered it so authentically

[April Calamaco · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was funny audio book. I thought there would be more to the ending so that kind of disappointed me.

[Nohemí González Guzmán · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful book it's a whole experience with all the foley sounds, but the book itself it's marvelous, it reminds me of my mother.

[Ana Salgado · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simply gorgeous and a must read for everyone. Loved it.

[V Shep · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Super cute book and the narrator was phenomenal. I will definitely recommend this book to others

[Brianna Uribe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it! The voice fit so well and the narrator is so funny. Reminded me of my mom and tias. 10/10

[Rose Villaraza · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Easily one of my top reads this years.

It’s hilarious with such a big heart. So is our MC Cara Romero.

This is a beautiful story of community, hope, and the enduring love of a mother, told in one of the most unique ways I’ve come across in Literature so far.

Definitely reading more from Angie Cruz. This audiobook is also one of the best, such a great narration!

Highly recommend!

[Renata Gois · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The person reading it is perfect! ❤️ Gracias y buena sorte!

[essence · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really really really loved this book. I've never read anything like this. For the to only be one character is incredible... She's is a charter that I have just fallen for...I want to know how she is long after the story is over. It's beautiful. I laughed a lot. My heart was squeezed in some parts too. The reality of parts made me cringe. A FULL range of emotions with this book. All layers of cultural communication that I experienced and the truly relatable circumstances, it's just wow. This author did an excellent job with this book.

[tee. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I laughed, I smiled and even got a little teary eyed.
I throughly enjoyed this book. 10/10 will recommend!

[Danice Stone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good read. Highly recommend it. Will make you laugh & cry and make you think.

[kjtknit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderfully written and performed. She is the type of character you miss when the book is over, but will stick in your heart for a long time.

[Shelby · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent, heartwarming book! I absolutely loved it. The narrator made the story come alive.