World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Angie Cruz

アンジー・クルス

Anjī Kuruzu

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1972-02-24 （Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English, Spanish
Religion
Catholicism
Residence History
Washington Heights, New York City → Dominican Republic (frequent visits) → Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (during teaching) → New York (base of operations)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Associate professor, Professor
Active Years
2001-
Affiliations
Columbia University (School of the Arts), University of Pittsburgh (formerly taught), Aster(ix) literary journal (co-founder), Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race (affiliate)
Nominations
Women's Prize for Fiction (Shortlisted)

Education

LaGuardia School of the Arts
Arts
Country: United States
Became interested in visual arts in high school
Fashion Institute of Technology
Fashion Design
Country: United States
Studied fashion design
SUNY Binghamton (Binghamton University)
English
Degree: BA
Country: United States
Received a B.A. in English
New York University
Creative Writing (MFA)
Degree: MFA
Country: United States
Received an MFA in Creative Writing

Awards

Alex Awards
2020
Work: Dominicana
Organization: American Library Association (YALSA)
Result: 受賞
Gina Berriault Award
2021
Organization: San Francisco State University (College of Liberal & Creative Arts)
Result: 受賞
Dos Passos Prize
2025
Organization: Longwood University (Dos Passos Prize)
Result: 受賞
United States Artists Fellowship
2025
Organization: United States Artists
Result: 受賞
Barbara Deming Award
Organization: Barbara Deming Memorial Fund
Result: 受賞
New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship
Organization: New York Foundation for the Arts
Result: 受賞
Camargo Fellowship
Organization: Camargo Foundation
Result: 受賞
Van Lier Literary Fellowship
Organization: Van Lier Program
Result: 受賞
NALAC Fund for the Arts Fellowship
Organization: National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Soledad

2001 Novel

Angie Cruz's debut novel. Explores themes of immigration, family, and women's experiences.

immigrationfamilywomen's experiences

Let It Rain Coffee

2005 Novel

A linked collection/novel that examines immigrant communities, quotidian life, and personal memory.

memorycommunityimmigration

Dominicana

2019 Novel 336 pages

Told from the perspective of a woman who emigrates from the Dominican Republic to New York in the mid-20th century, it examines immigrant life, family, and belonging. Widely acclaimed.

immigrationfamilybelongingworking-class life

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water

2022 Novel

A recent novel focusing on personal history, community memory, and women's perspectives.

memorywomencommunity

Angélica and la Güira

2024 Novel

Published in 2024; a shorter work that explores Dominican immigrant life.

immigrationculturefamily

Bibliography

  • Soledad
  • Let It Rain Coffee
  • Dominicana
  • How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
  • Angélica and la Güira

Style & Themes

Literary Style
immigrant literaturepostcolonial perspectiverealismfemale narrative voice
Recurring Motifs
homememoryworking-class everyday lifemotherhoodmovement and belonging

Legacy

Angie Cruz is acclaimed for portraying Dominican-American experiences and is regarded as an important voice in contemporary American immigrant and women's literature. Her academic work and involvement in literary journals have supported emerging writers.

Quotes

  • Enthralling... Cruz's winning novel will linger in the reader’s mind long after the close of the story.
    Source: Publishers Weekly (review of Dominicana) (2019)
  • One of the most evocative and empowering immigrant stories of our time.
    Source: NBC News (article on Dominicana) (2019)

Trivia

  • Born and raised in Washington Heights and frequently traveled to the Dominican Republic as a child.
  • Co-founder of the Aster(ix) literary journal.
  • Her novel 'Dominicana' won an Alex Award in 2020 and was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction.