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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I really love Cleeton's works, and this story is no different. The characters and love stories are all different.
This one felt a little preachy. Maybe it's because one of the MCs is an aspiring journalist. Maybe it's the parallels to today. It's still good, but some of the dialogue or inner voice felt like they were too much.
This one felt a little preachy. Maybe it's because one of the MCs is an aspiring journalist. Maybe it's the parallels to today. It's still good, but some of the dialogue or inner voice felt like they were too much.
informative
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just couldn’t get into this book. I usually love Chanel’s books but this one no. Quarter of the way in and I gave up
Another summer, another new Chanel Cleeton book! I loved learning about a part of American and Cuban history I knew VERY VERY little about. Cleeton is great at highlighting parts of Cuban history through the perspective of women from different backgrounds. In this book we learn about the lives of Grace Harrington, a wannabe reporter in Gilded Age New York City and Evangelina Cisneros, imprisoned at 18 and the woman who would become the "beautiful face" that spurred America to help overthrow Spanish rule in Cuba. Marina Perez (of the Next year in Havana and When we left Cuba Perez family) also has a role, helping deliver messages to the press from Cuban revolutionaries in order to free Evangelina. My knowledge of Cuban history was woefully inadequate and I learned so much in this book. The conditions of the Havana women's jail were horrifying to say the least. I really enjoyed Grace's story the most I think. She was an independent girl trying to make it as a female journalist in a very male-dominated profession and wasn't looking for love but ended up finding a dashing guy who didn't want to change her (who doesn't dream of that right?). Highly recommend this one, especially if you are a Chanel Cleeton fan or want to learn more about early Cuban-American-Spanish relations.
Favorite quotes:
"I cannot think of a place I would rather be than sitting among a group of women plotting a revolution."
"Despite everyone's great admiration of her beauty, their intentions are hardly noble. She is a means to an end, to sell more papers, to force the United States to act."
"I started writing because I wanted to do something that mattered, I wanted my life to serve a purpose, to illuminate the people and places that society overlooked. And still, there is a difference between shining a light on the darkest corners of society and daring to bring about a war that will change the world as we know it."
Favorite quotes:
"I cannot think of a place I would rather be than sitting among a group of women plotting a revolution."
"Despite everyone's great admiration of her beauty, their intentions are hardly noble. She is a means to an end, to sell more papers, to force the United States to act."
"I started writing because I wanted to do something that mattered, I wanted my life to serve a purpose, to illuminate the people and places that society overlooked. And still, there is a difference between shining a light on the darkest corners of society and daring to bring about a war that will change the world as we know it."
Actual rating 2.5 stars. I read this as a book club selection; it is not a title I would have chosen on my own. It was a quick read, but in my opinion melodramatic, repetitive, and mediocre writing. However, it did prompt me to research and educate myself more about the war in Cuba, the USS Maine, President McKinley, and Hearst and Pulitzer. So not a total loss.
There are two story lines in this book and I really liked one more than the other.
*A huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!*
I love when a historical fiction novel leaves me feeling both entertained and educated, and that is without a doubt the experience I get every time I pick up a Chanel Cleeton novel. Another sweeping tale set between Cuba and the United States, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba is another standout from the Cuban-American author.
Similarly to the structure of Cleeton's previous novel, The Last Train to Key West, her newest installment rotates between three POVs of strong women who are each facing unique challenges either in Cuba or the US during the late 1800s when Cuba is fighting for their independence from Spain. While seemingly having very different lives and backgrounds, the women's stories eventually become entwined as the US becomes increasingly pulled into the conflict in Cuba. Arguably the most important character, Evangelina Cisneros, was an real historical figure and Cleeton crafts her fiction around the real life events the woman endured and inspired. I love how Cleeton balanced a true historical figure with her own fictional characters and wrote all of their narratives to be compelling in their own ways. I especially loved that this book also included another Perez woman, from the Cuban family who's strong females have been a running thread subtly connecting all of Cleeton's books about Cuba (it was so intriguing to be back at Miramar for a short time and seeing the groundwork for the family in her previously written novels that take place in the 20th century). I can't get enough of the Perez women and sincerely hopes she keeps writing companion novels about them!
While Cleeton's storytelling abilities shine through as usual in this novel, where it really excelled for me was how much I learned. Cleeton has the most digestible way of writing historical fiction and really, thoroughly educating the reader on a specific time in Cuban history without the writing ever become dry or overwhelming. As an America, I am frankly shocked each time I read one of Cleeton's novels and find how underdeveloped my education regarding Cuba was considering how important a role the country played in America's international relations over the course of the past 120+ years. I knew about the USS Maine and the Spanish-America role, but was unaware as to how drastic the situation in Cuba had become and how much of a catalyst it was for the war- from the decimation of Cuba's countryside to the reconcentration camps- the horrors and human rights violations we often associate with larger world wars were happening just 90 miles off the cost of America in the late19th century. The way Cleeton weaves empathy and human emotion to bring these historical moments truly to life through her writing is astounding.
In addition to Cuban history and politics, I found this novel to also dive quite a bit into American history as well, specifically the rise of newspapers. I had no idea stunt girl reporting was a thing and there were so many determined women trying to break into journalism after the success of Nellie Bly. I thought it was fascinating that Cleeton wrote Pulitzer and Hearst into her novel as actual characters (I've been to Hearst castle a few times and he's truly such a fascinating figure). I also appreciated the ethical dilemmas that Cleeton explored in this novel when it came to how the publishing industry was exploiting/leveraging the situation in Cuba for their own gain- whether it be to increase circulation, to drive the US toward war, to influence policy, etc. I found this novel to really push the content of this series outside of just Cuban politics and take a successful approach at Cuba's wider international influence and ripple effects as well.
Overall: Chanel Cleeton has enthralled me again with her latest historical fiction novel surrounding Cuban history, and I cannot recommend her books enough to both longtime historical fiction readers and those hoping to explore the genre for the first time.
This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
I love when a historical fiction novel leaves me feeling both entertained and educated, and that is without a doubt the experience I get every time I pick up a Chanel Cleeton novel. Another sweeping tale set between Cuba and the United States, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba is another standout from the Cuban-American author.
Similarly to the structure of Cleeton's previous novel, The Last Train to Key West, her newest installment rotates between three POVs of strong women who are each facing unique challenges either in Cuba or the US during the late 1800s when Cuba is fighting for their independence from Spain. While seemingly having very different lives and backgrounds, the women's stories eventually become entwined as the US becomes increasingly pulled into the conflict in Cuba. Arguably the most important character, Evangelina Cisneros, was an real historical figure and Cleeton crafts her fiction around the real life events the woman endured and inspired. I love how Cleeton balanced a true historical figure with her own fictional characters and wrote all of their narratives to be compelling in their own ways. I especially loved that this book also included another Perez woman, from the Cuban family who's strong females have been a running thread subtly connecting all of Cleeton's books about Cuba (it was so intriguing to be back at Miramar for a short time and seeing the groundwork for the family in her previously written novels that take place in the 20th century). I can't get enough of the Perez women and sincerely hopes she keeps writing companion novels about them!
While Cleeton's storytelling abilities shine through as usual in this novel, where it really excelled for me was how much I learned. Cleeton has the most digestible way of writing historical fiction and really, thoroughly educating the reader on a specific time in Cuban history without the writing ever become dry or overwhelming. As an America, I am frankly shocked each time I read one of Cleeton's novels and find how underdeveloped my education regarding Cuba was considering how important a role the country played in America's international relations over the course of the past 120+ years. I knew about the USS Maine and the Spanish-America role, but was unaware as to how drastic the situation in Cuba had become and how much of a catalyst it was for the war- from the decimation of Cuba's countryside to the reconcentration camps- the horrors and human rights violations we often associate with larger world wars were happening just 90 miles off the cost of America in the late19th century. The way Cleeton weaves empathy and human emotion to bring these historical moments truly to life through her writing is astounding.
In addition to Cuban history and politics, I found this novel to also dive quite a bit into American history as well, specifically the rise of newspapers. I had no idea stunt girl reporting was a thing and there were so many determined women trying to break into journalism after the success of Nellie Bly. I thought it was fascinating that Cleeton wrote Pulitzer and Hearst into her novel as actual characters (I've been to Hearst castle a few times and he's truly such a fascinating figure). I also appreciated the ethical dilemmas that Cleeton explored in this novel when it came to how the publishing industry was exploiting/leveraging the situation in Cuba for their own gain- whether it be to increase circulation, to drive the US toward war, to influence policy, etc. I found this novel to really push the content of this series outside of just Cuban politics and take a successful approach at Cuba's wider international influence and ripple effects as well.
Overall: Chanel Cleeton has enthralled me again with her latest historical fiction novel surrounding Cuban history, and I cannot recommend her books enough to both longtime historical fiction readers and those hoping to explore the genre for the first time.
This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
I love that Chanel Cleeton has brought Cuba to my attention through her well-researched, fascinating stories. I enjoyed learning more about Cuban history through the plights of these characters. This is the fourth book I've read in her Cuban series. And as soon as I finished it, I began looking forward to the next one!
The book is about the Cuban Resistance Movement against the Spanish in the late 1800's. It shares a few battles of the Spanish-American War in Cuba. This is a war where having won it, we required Cuba to permit significant American intervention in Cuban affairs.
The book centers on three women, Grace, a reporter for William Randoph Hearst's New York Journal, Evangelina, a woman unjustly imprisoned after rejecting the advances of a Spanish colonel, and Marina, a secret courier for the Revolutionairies. All three women fight to free Cuba from the Spanish oppression and become stronger in the process.
The part of the book that made me think the most was when Grace questions whether or not newspapers should strive to influence their readers. She worries "that we lose sight of the subject when we sensationalize them." She also questions the coverage of the sinking of the USS Maine when she asks, "How can we ask men to risk their lives if we lie to them about what they're fighting for?" Finally, Grace wonders why the horrors imprisoned women and children endured were not covered in the papers. She asks, "...Was it to avenge lost voices? Or in the end, was our thirst for expansion too great to be ignored? Was it truly about the Cuban people, or was Rafael right to be cynical all along, and was this really about investment opportunites and money? I'd like to think our better angels rule us, but I'm not so sure anymore?" I like to think our better angels rule us, too.
The book centers on three women, Grace, a reporter for William Randoph Hearst's New York Journal, Evangelina, a woman unjustly imprisoned after rejecting the advances of a Spanish colonel, and Marina, a secret courier for the Revolutionairies. All three women fight to free Cuba from the Spanish oppression and become stronger in the process.
The part of the book that made me think the most was when Grace questions whether or not newspapers should strive to influence their readers. She worries "that we lose sight of the subject when we sensationalize them." She also questions the coverage of the sinking of the USS Maine when she asks, "How can we ask men to risk their lives if we lie to them about what they're fighting for?" Finally, Grace wonders why the horrors imprisoned women and children endured were not covered in the papers. She asks, "...Was it to avenge lost voices? Or in the end, was our thirst for expansion too great to be ignored? Was it truly about the Cuban people, or was Rafael right to be cynical all along, and was this really about investment opportunites and money? I'd like to think our better angels rule us, but I'm not so sure anymore?" I like to think our better angels rule us, too.