Reviews

Cubaanse Dromen by Cristina García

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zellm's review against another edition

3.0

This book had some great character moments, and I thought the exploration of family relationships, love, and politics was interesting. However, I felt that some of the characterizations were heavy handed, stereotypical, and a little disappointing. The interlude about the amusement park husband was also just confusing and felt unnecessary.

book_dreamblog's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

shksprsis's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

marie_gg's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed this book of a Cuban family and the way they adapt to the revolution and its aftereffects. I believe it's the first book I've ever read about Cuba.

The plot jumps around a great deal, as do the character perspectives...each chapter is told by a different person, sometimes in first person and sometimes in third person. This is not my favorite style for a book, but I tolerated it. Towards the middle of the novel, I was longing for a more straightforward book.

Garcia paints the setting of Cuba well, and she describes the odd combination of austerity, politics, color and fauna, the sea, insanity, and magic that is Cuba now and before the revolution. Garcia's characters seem cursed and unhappy--this is not what I would call an uplifting book--they are constantly seeking happiness and fulfillment but do not know where to turn. They turn away from each other, though, that's for sure. The two sisters and brother and their spouses, the mother who is longing for her lost lover, the father who tries to break his wife's spirit, and the grandchildren who feel they have lost something unidentifiable...the family ties are extremely fragile and tenuous, which made me very sad.

b1k1l's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Poetic

riverson's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I had a hard time choosing a number rating for this book. I think it is incredibly well written, and I loved learning about Cuba. I also really struggle with reading magical realism, and I think that made it hard for me to fully embrace this book.