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elaineb_reads's review against another edition
Started this book for a college course and didn't have time to finish it before midterm.
lamom77's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting to re-read this book 25 years after the first time I read it. It is a very well written story and I see why my 22 year old self loved this book. Now though, I still very much appreciate the writing, but the story was too much at times and lacking at times - so much to take on in a relatively short book.
imperfectedness's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The book was a bit too fragmented for my taste. I would have preferred to spend a bit more time with a bit less characters. That way it would have been easier to have empathy with these very flawed and often unlikable people. That being said it was a very interesting reflection of how political events shape family history.
alicotru1603's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
joslynschafer's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
conty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition
2.0
If a book promises me a multi-generational family saga spanning time and place, I'm sold. Dreaming in Cuban is one of the more unique books in this mold I've read. Not only is the story told in a non-linear fashion and its location flipping between New York City and Cuba, the narrative switches between third person, first person, and epistolary. Garcia explores the various ways family threads can fray, ranging from exile to political disagreements.
It is highly ambitious. Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. Family sagas work best for me when I care about the characters and I didn't have strong feelings about any character in this book. Despite the narrative shifts, every character's perspective sounded similar to each other.
I thought the ending was the strongest section of the book. However, a book having a strong ending doesn't mean the other 90% of the book is worth slogging through.
It is highly ambitious. Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. Family sagas work best for me when I care about the characters and I didn't have strong feelings about any character in this book. Despite the narrative shifts, every character's perspective sounded similar to each other.
I thought the ending was the strongest section of the book. However, a book having a strong ending doesn't mean the other 90% of the book is worth slogging through.
koiketto's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookedinthebakery's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5