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yaddyv's review against another edition
5.0
It gives you a glimpse inside a very protective country from 12 writers. I wanted more stories. Is beautiful
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Let me be honest. I didn't really know anything about Cuba before reading this. I'm pretty US-centric most of the time, though I want to believe it's truly unintentional. So when I saw this ARC, I jumped on it. Finally, something to read about Cuba by actual Cubans and not just random white journalists on the internet!
Now, let me be frank. It was great. I learned so much about the culture, the rise and fall of the government, about Havana, about taxi-drivers and coconut collectors and bookstores and dancers. This anthology is a collection of lives and jobs and politics and it's incredible. It's a smattering of topics that truly somehow encompass Cuba on both a larger and personal level. And it's so vibrant. Nothing is spared in these accounts, and I felt like I could actually feel the sun beating down on my skin, or my eyes trying to adjust to a dim room where Havana-based dancers were performing.
If you want to break free from US-centric non-fiction books, this is definitely the collection for you.
Review cross-listed here!
Now, let me be frank. It was great. I learned so much about the culture, the rise and fall of the government, about Havana, about taxi-drivers and coconut collectors and bookstores and dancers. This anthology is a collection of lives and jobs and politics and it's incredible. It's a smattering of topics that truly somehow encompass Cuba on both a larger and personal level. And it's so vibrant. Nothing is spared in these accounts, and I felt like I could actually feel the sun beating down on my skin, or my eyes trying to adjust to a dim room where Havana-based dancers were performing.
If you want to break free from US-centric non-fiction books, this is definitely the collection for you.
Review cross-listed here!
zoes_human's review against another edition
4.0
The concept behind this book is simple but elegant—twelve authors give twelve perspectives on a country known to outsiders mostly in stark stereotypes. The essays are by Cubans who stayed, Cubans who left, and visitors from other countries. I couldn't recommend this book more for both those who will never go or those who are about to go to this complicated island.
bibliomaineiac's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book in a giveaway, with the request for a review. I found the stories very interesting, and enjoyed learning about a country that for so many years seemed like a taboo subject. While not a book I was able to really get into, and read quickly, it was nice to hear the stories of those who have lived and/or visited. As well learn more about the dynamics of the culture.
giovannigf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
eponineswish's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like this book does a pretty good job of accomplishing what it puts forth in its introduction - not using Cuba as a club to reinforce one ideology or the other, nor oversimplifying it, nor conveniently overlooking the many glaring problems the country and its people face. It presents exactly what its title implicates: Cuba at a crossroads. A good place to go if you want a variety of perspectives from people with a good range of cultural backgrounds and nationalities.
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