Picture a Peruvian storyteller who spun a tale so vivid it won hearts and awards—meet Melissa Rivero! Born in Lima and raised in Brooklyn, Rivero crafts stories that dive deep into the immigrant experience, blending raw emotion with resilience. Her debut novel, The Affairs of the Falcóns, made waves, and her unique voice continues to captivate readers with its heartfelt exploration of family and identity.
With a knack for turning personal struggles into universal stories, Rivero’s work feels like a warm conversation with a friend who’s seen it all. Let’s explore her journey, from her Brooklyn roots to her rise as a literary star.
The Making of Melissa Rivero
Melissa Rivero was born in Lima, Peru, and moved to Brooklyn as a young child, growing up undocumented in the 1980s. Her parents juggled multiple jobs, leaving Rivero to care for her younger brothers, a responsibility that shaped her perspective on family and sacrifice. A graduate of NYU and Brooklyn Law School, she initially pursued a legal career, working at firms like Proskauer Rose before pivoting to in-house tech roles. But writing was her true calling, sparked by stories from her mother’s life and fueled by workshops like Bread Loaf and VONA. Rivero’s determination to write while raising two kids and working full-time is a testament to her grit.
Melissa Rivero’s Unforgettable Stories
Rivero’s debut, The Affairs of the Falcóns (2019), is a gripping tale of Ana Falcón, an undocumented Peruvian immigrant navigating 1990s New York. Inspired by an incident from her mother’s life, the novel explores economic hardship, family dynamics, and the constant fear of deportation. Its raw honesty earned it the 2019 New American Voices Award and a 2020 International Latino Book Award, plus longlist spots for the PEN/Hemingway and Aspen Words prizes.
Her second novel, Flores and Miss Paula (2023), shifts to a mother-daughter duo grappling with grief and cultural identity in Brooklyn. Rivero’s style is intimate yet unflinching, weaving themes of resilience and community with a lawyer’s precision and a poet’s heart. Her characters, often Peruvian immigrants, reflect the complexities of living between worlds, making her work a vital contribution to contemporary fiction.
Rivero’s storytelling shines through her ability to humanize political issues. She views writing as a “political act,” giving voice to undocumented and marginalized communities. Her vivid settings, especially New York City, ground her narratives in a dreamer’s landscape where hope and hardship collide.
Why Melissa Rivero Matters
Melissa Rivero’s impact lies in her ability to illuminate the immigrant experience with nuance and empathy. Her novels resonate with readers who see their own struggles in her characters, while offering others a window into lives shaped by systemic challenges. By centering Peruvian and Latino narratives, she enriches the literary canon, proving that stories of “otherness” are universal. Her work has been praised by outlets like The Washington Post and The New York Times, cementing her as a rising star.
As a working mother and BBIPOC writer, Rivero also mentors aspiring authors, offering coaching and manuscript reviews to support diverse voices. Her resilience—writing in stolen moments on subways or after bedtime—inspires writers to persevere. Rivero’s legacy is one of courage, authenticity, and storytelling that bridges divides.
- Born: Lima, Peru
- Key Works: The Affairs of the Falcóns (2019), Flores and Miss Paula (2023)
- Awards: 2019 New American Voices Award, 2020 International Latino Book Award
- Education: NYU, Brooklyn Law School
Snag The Affairs of the Falcóns or Flores and Miss Paula and dive into Melissa Rivero’s soulful, vibrant world of immigrant stories!