suzieqreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
cpwang65's review against another edition
3.0
An uneven book. I think that parts are overly sentimental with a romance and not well developed. The best parts seem to be about the feelings about Cuba and the strong revolutionary feelings against the government, and the various factions.
invisiblejulie's review against another edition
4.0
Unexpectedly good. I really enjoyed this well-written book. Inspired to read more about Cuba.
rhenbean's review against another edition
5.0
PAGE TURNER! This is one of the best books I have read in a while. The love story and familial secrets kept me intrigued and made me feel all the emotions portrayed in the book. 10/10 would love this as a show series (not a movie because they always cut out or completely change the best parts).
ioana_cis's review against another edition
5.0
//listened to the audiobook in a day - cleaning around the house, riding outside, on 1.5x speed.
Loved the story - initially choosen to be read for the Around the World Reading challenge (one book per country) so i was not that high in my expectations. Later figured out that Chanel was born in USA and wrote this from family memories so .. i guess it does not qualify to Cuban writer? Or does she?
Back to the story - i liked the splitting by now pretty used between to timelines that overlap in a person - this case the niece that travels back with her grandmother ashes to Cuba and meets her past there.
The chapter exchange, and the real events in history mix with personal stories and lives. Being in Cuba a few years back, it brought me there, in Miramar, Malecon, Old Center, Notel National and made me crave a Ropa Vieja. I could easily follow the narative and even if it is not the best and more outstanding writting i enjoyed reading it and was eager to see how it develops. I also did not know it is a series and now i am looking for part 2.
Marisol travels to Cuba with her Grandmother's ashes and she is welcome by decices childhood friend - Anna's grandson Luis which is a history profesor and also a bit of a rebel against the cuban administration. She discovers Cuba with his help and .. of course.. falls in love. She also finds a tresure that was digged under a banana tree and she finds out her grandmother had a relation with a revolutionary man that turns out to be her original grandfather. She enbarks into finding him just to end up saved by him when Luis is improsioned. The Perez name.
They escape Cuba with the promise of Next Year in Havana..
Loved the story - initially choosen to be read for the Around the World Reading challenge (one book per country) so i was not that high in my expectations. Later figured out that Chanel was born in USA and wrote this from family memories so .. i guess it does not qualify to Cuban writer? Or does she?
Back to the story - i liked the splitting by now pretty used between to timelines that overlap in a person - this case the niece that travels back with her grandmother ashes to Cuba and meets her past there.
The chapter exchange, and the real events in history mix with personal stories and lives. Being in Cuba a few years back, it brought me there, in Miramar, Malecon, Old Center, Notel National and made me crave a Ropa Vieja. I could easily follow the narative and even if it is not the best and more outstanding writting i enjoyed reading it and was eager to see how it develops. I also did not know it is a series and now i am looking for part 2.
Marisol travels to Cuba with her Grandmother's ashes and she is welcome by decices childhood friend - Anna's grandson Luis which is a history profesor and also a bit of a rebel against the cuban administration. She discovers Cuba with his help and .. of course.. falls in love. She also finds a tresure that was digged under a banana tree and she finds out her grandmother had a relation with a revolutionary man that turns out to be her original grandfather. She enbarks into finding him just to end up saved by him when Luis is improsioned. The Perez name.
They escape Cuba with the promise of Next Year in Havana..
christinerose's review against another edition
3.0
I really did enjoy the nuanced conversation around Cuba’s past and present, and feel this book speaks to important experiences. It just wasn’t my jam in terms of writing style.
jayvboom's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
recyclops229's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so lovely. It reads like a love letter to Cuba - a love that is not clouded. You can clearly see the others’ flaws but you can’t help that your heart is theirs regardless.
One thing I didn’t initially like that grew on me in the end was the love story of Marisol and Luis. I wasn’t expecting or desiring of a love story in this book but I grew to really enjoy their dynamic and the parallels between them and Elisa and Juan.
I would’ve liked to read a little more about Luis’ life once he’s in the US and the culture shock that surely went along with that.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I’m excited to read the other books in the series.
One thing I didn’t initially like that grew on me in the end was the love story of Marisol and Luis. I wasn’t expecting or desiring of a love story in this book but I grew to really enjoy their dynamic and the parallels between them and Elisa and Juan.
I would’ve liked to read a little more about Luis’ life once he’s in the US and the culture shock that surely went along with that.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I’m excited to read the other books in the series.
teachingkids1982's review against another edition
5.0
Marvelous, beautiful read, with a great storyline of the history of Cuba as well. The sequel comes out winter 19' I'll be reading it for sure!
tsenko2's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 I loved experiencing Cuba through this book. It inspired me to watch YouTube videos of sunset on the Malecon, tour the Cathedral, and watch Celia Cruz perform La Guantamera and to read about Jose Marti on Wikipedia. It was also a good story, but the real magic was in visiting another time and place.