America Is Not the Heart

In America Is Not the Heart, Hero De Vera navigates her new life in the Bay Area after fleeing political turmoil in the Philippines and facing estrangement from her family. As she begins anew with her uncle, the complexities of her past and the dynamics of her new family unfold, particularly through interactions with her young cousin who is curious about Hero's scars. This richly layered debut explores the intersections of identity, family, and the pursuit of the American dream across three generations of women, weaving together personal and national histories with humor and poignancy.