The Monkey on Frida's Shoulder Catherine Barrera 9780875659541

After fleeing the destruction of his native jungle, the orphaned monkey arrives in Mexico City in the early 20th century, where he forms an unlikely bond with spirited young Frida Kahlo. Together they roam the city streets, their mischief tinged with rebellion, as Nat pledges loyalty to Frida through devastating accidents, ideological battles, and her tempestuous marriage to Diego Rivera.

But devotion has its limits. As Frida's world grows darker and more insular, Nat is forced to confront the cost of loyalty and the need for moral clarity. His journey beyond the Casa Azul introduces readers to a pious Chihuahua, a shimmer of monarch butterflies, and the enigmatic guest Natalia Trotsky.

Blending magical realism, absurdism, and Mexican history, Catherine Barrera's debut novel reimagines one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century from an utterly original perspective. Both irreverent fable and love letter to Casa Azul, The Monkey on Frida's Shoulder captures the blurred borders of magic, myth, and reality in a way that will resonate with fans of literary fiction, Latin American history, and Frida Kahlo's enduring legacy.

Catherine Barrera is a lifelong admirer of Frida Kahlo, having spent countless days immersed in the artistry and atmosphere of Casa Azul. Her debut novel, The Monkey on Frida's Shoulder, blends her academic expertise with elements of magical realism and absurdism to reimagine the world surrounding one of Mexico's most iconic artists. Barrera holds a BA in History from Stanford University and a PhD in Latin American History from the University of California, San Diego. She has taught at colleges and universities across the country, from southern Minnesota to the Bay Area, and now lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and their dog, Pepino.