Events › Author Talk: Margarita Barresi in Conversation with José C. Massó III - A Delicate Marriage

José C. Massó III interviews author Margarita Barresi about her historical fiction debut novel, A Delicate Marriage, set in 1930s to 1950s Puerto Rico. 

From glittering ballrooms to verdant mountains to poverty-stricken slums, A Delicate Marriage takes the reader on a vivid tour of Puerto Rico forty years after becoming a U.S. colony, a time of great change and political turmoil on the island. The novel is loosely based on the story of Barresi's grandparents. 

Massó and Barresi will discuss her book and how becoming a U.S. colony impacted the island, its people, and its politics during the time period of the novel through the present day. 

Following the talk, there will be time for audience Q&A. 

A book signing will follow the program. 

About the Presenters

Margarita Barresi 

A native Puerto Rican, Margarita Barresi writes historical fiction and essays about growing up on the island. She studied public relations at Boston University and enjoyed a successful 25-year career in marketing communications working for such brands as Avon, Frito-Lay, and Dunkin Donuts. She later transitioned into writing creative non-fiction, focusing on crafting memoir and parenting essays.

Her work has been published in Grown and Flown, Your Teen, Litro, Acentos Review, The Drowning Gull, Boston Accent Lit, Pink Ink, (mac)ro(mic), The Kitchn, and included in the Byline Legacies anthology. Her debut novel, A Delicate Marriage, was born during the competitive Novel Generator program at Boston’s Grub Street.

José C. Massó III

José C. Massó, III has left an indelible mark on multiple fields, shaping the very fabric of the community. A native of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, he brings with him a rich cultural heritage, fluent in both English and Spanish, and an unwavering passion for empowering others.

A Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee, José has been the producer/announcer/curator of ¡Con Salsa! on WBUR 90.9FM for nearly five decades and is a community activist residing in Hyde Park for the past 45 years with his wife Divina and their pet Yorkie, Jett.

Massó is a respected community activist, change agent and staunch advocate for immigrant rights, social and economic justice, and was appointed by Mayor Michelle Wu to the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees where he serves as vice chair of the Strategic Planning committees.

Accessibility Notice: We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact Emily at the Connolly Branch Library at connolly@bpl.org or 617-522-1960 by December 2. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.