'A work of startling originality and distinction, narrated with an irresistible, manic energy.' Observer

Things have never been easy for Oscar. A ghetto nerd living with his Dominican family in New Jersey, he's sweet but disastrously overweight. He dreams of becoming the next J. R. R. Tolkien but keeps falling hopelessly in love. Meanwhile his punk sister Lola wants to run away, and his enduring mother Belin can't seem to let either of them go.

This warm, completely original and hugely acclaimed first novel tells the wondrous story of Oscar and his family, and their attempts to find love and belonging in America.

'Celebratory and heartbreaking... and filled with something many novels lack: an enormous amount of love, and heart.' Time Out

'Remarkable'. F. T.