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A review by saralynnburnett
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
4.0
I adored this book! What a sweet story seeped in such a sad history. The story is about a Cuban family from a small seaside town who makes the awful decision to send their children alone to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan. The author does a fabulous job of showing the love this family has for each other through the eyes of a 14 year old girl while including normal 14 year old rebellious feelings. The historical information was minimal and women throughout the story in an unobtrusive way.
When Lucia and her brother arrive in America and are eventually placed with a family it was so sweet and such a great story that I felt my hope for America be rekindled. In this time of bat shit crazy republican rhetoric and Americans screaming to stop foreign aid, The Red Umbrella reminds us that there is still kindness out there and we're all human, we all have brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and fathers who love us, and goodwill towards mankind can stem from anywhere.
This is my first foray into a Cuban novel and so I'm sure the novelty of it is part of why I loved it so much. I have a Cuban friend and after meeting his parents I've been even more intrigued by the history of this country and after reading this heartwarming little book I feel a definite Cuban craze coming on. If you know of any good books out there about this fascinating nation let me know!
When Lucia and her brother arrive in America and are eventually placed with a family it was so sweet and such a great story that I felt my hope for America be rekindled. In this time of bat shit crazy republican rhetoric and Americans screaming to stop foreign aid, The Red Umbrella reminds us that there is still kindness out there and we're all human, we all have brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and fathers who love us, and goodwill towards mankind can stem from anywhere.
This is my first foray into a Cuban novel and so I'm sure the novelty of it is part of why I loved it so much. I have a Cuban friend and after meeting his parents I've been even more intrigued by the history of this country and after reading this heartwarming little book I feel a definite Cuban craze coming on. If you know of any good books out there about this fascinating nation let me know!