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La Habana oculta #4
La isla de los amores infinitos
Una apasionante saga de tres familias que se desarrolla en dos tramas paralelas, una situada en el Miami actual, y la otra que se inicia en los años 1850 en torno a tres familias distintas de China, España y África que emigrarán a Cuba.
Para huir de su soledad en Miami, Cecilia se refugia en un bar donde conoce a una misteriosa anciana. Tras ese primer encuentro, regresará al bar cada noche para escuchar de labios de la mujer tres historias que se habían iniciado, más de un siglo atrás, en otros tantos lugares del un suicidio en China que desata una cadena de reacciones familiares; una extraña maldición que persigue a las mujeres de una familia española, y una joven arrancada de su hogar en la costa africana, que es llevada a un mundo desconocido. Las peripecias de estos personajes se irán entrelazando a lo largo del tiempo, desde una Cuba bajo el dominio español hasta nuestros días. Los amores predestinados y fulminantes de ese pasado cobrarán renovada fuerza en Cecilia, atada emocionalmente a su Habana natal, pero obsesionada también por cierto enigma que intenta resolver.
La isla de los amores infinitos es una saga familiar e histórica, con muchas lecturas y un ambiente cargado de misterios. El amor y el más allá son los hilos conductores de esta novela donde los sentimientos pueden sobrevivir a la muerte. Una maravillosa historia de esperanzas y sueños rotos, llena de magia.
Para huir de su soledad en Miami, Cecilia se refugia en un bar donde conoce a una misteriosa anciana. Tras ese primer encuentro, regresará al bar cada noche para escuchar de labios de la mujer tres historias que se habían iniciado, más de un siglo atrás, en otros tantos lugares del un suicidio en China que desata una cadena de reacciones familiares; una extraña maldición que persigue a las mujeres de una familia española, y una joven arrancada de su hogar en la costa africana, que es llevada a un mundo desconocido. Las peripecias de estos personajes se irán entrelazando a lo largo del tiempo, desde una Cuba bajo el dominio español hasta nuestros días. Los amores predestinados y fulminantes de ese pasado cobrarán renovada fuerza en Cecilia, atada emocionalmente a su Habana natal, pero obsesionada también por cierto enigma que intenta resolver.
La isla de los amores infinitos es una saga familiar e histórica, con muchas lecturas y un ambiente cargado de misterios. El amor y el más allá son los hilos conductores de esta novela donde los sentimientos pueden sobrevivir a la muerte. Una maravillosa historia de esperanzas y sueños rotos, llena de magia.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Daína Chaviano
46 books202 followersConsiderada una de las tres escritoras más importantes de la literatura fantástica y de ciencia ficción en lengua española, junto con Angélica Gorodischer (Argentina) y Elia Barceló (España) con quienes integra la "trinidad femenina de la ciencia ficción en Hispanoamérica".
Mientras vivió en Cuba, publicó varios libros de fantasía y ciencia ficción. Tras abandonar la isla, en 1991, se ha destacado por sus novelas de temas contemporáneos e históricos con fuertes elementos mitológicos y fantásticos.
Ha obtenido numerosos premios internacionales. Sus temas abarcan la mitología, la historia antigua, la sociología, la parasicología, la política y la magia.
Instagram: @dainachaviano
Mientras vivió en Cuba, publicó varios libros de fantasía y ciencia ficción. Tras abandonar la isla, en 1991, se ha destacado por sus novelas de temas contemporáneos e históricos con fuertes elementos mitológicos y fantásticos.
Ha obtenido numerosos premios internacionales. Sus temas abarcan la mitología, la historia antigua, la sociología, la parasicología, la política y la magia.
Instagram: @dainachaviano
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
March 23, 2021
Muy interesante. Una novela que acerca al lector a la cubanía pura en su tradición y fundación cultural, social, sincrética y étnica. Una obra nostálgica y costumbrista donde se expone el realismo mágico, el esoterismo y el espiritismo de un gran país y los secretos que le hacen único:Cuba.
February 14, 2015
Precioso libro. Me emocionó muchísimo, realismo mágico del bueno. Cargadísimo de nostalgia.
Amé como las historias se entretejen, está muy bien trabajado, hasta la historia más chiquita y secundaria tiene relación con el hilo central. Bello.
Amé como las historias se entretejen, está muy bien trabajado, hasta la historia más chiquita y secundaria tiene relación con el hilo central. Bello.
March 7, 2010
Uno de esos libros que uno se zampa casi atragantándose. O así lo terminé yo, al menos. Tengo debilidad por estas novelas que nos transportan a saltos del presente al pasado y del pasado al presente, de una punta del mundo a otra, y nos recuerdan lo parecidos que al final somos todos, a pesar de los tiempos y de las culturas. Siempre me intrigan las historias de los que liándose la manta a la cabeza, pensándolo mucho o poco, se ponen el mundo por montera. Y, al final, sin importar dónde estemos o hacia dónde caminemos, nuestro destino siempre sigue estrechamente ligado al de dónde venimos. Y ahí queda eso. Creo que es lo suficiente vago como para no estropearle la experiencia de leerlo a nadie, lo cual encuentro muy molesto.
August 25, 2012
This is an eminently forgettable story of Cuba's past and of modern-day Cuban immigrants in Miami. Not terrible, but everything here has been done before, and better, by other authors.
This is one of those books that alternates every chapter between present-day and historical storylines, in which the modern-day character learns the story of the historical ones. The modern chapters feature Cecilia, an angsty young Cuban reporter living in Miami. Cecilia meets an old woman in a Cuban bar who begins to tell her stories, following three families which represent different groups of immigrants who relocated to Cuba and contributed to its culture: one Chinese, one Spanish and one African. For the first 150 pages or so these stories are separate (and all together get about as much time as Cecilia), but they begin intermarrying until by the end there's one historical thread alternating with the modern one.
Unless you're a big fan of Cuban music, which appears frequently, there's really nothing about this book that would compel you to seek it out: not the superficial and predictable plot, not the bland and underdeveloped characters, not the vague impressions of Havana that do little to immerse the reader in the historical period. Beginning with Cecilia, though: a perennial risk with novels structured this way is that too little happens in the modern-day story, or that the events that do occur are too trivial, to compare to the historical thread. This book falls into that trap, as Cecilia does little beyond angst about the fact that she has some bad memories of Cuba (never explored in any detail), and yet the country is still a part of her. She also dabbles in the supernatural, which appears frequently in the book without much affecting the plot. There's no real momentum to her story, and she spends a lot of time on mundane activities like washing dishes and paying tolls. Her supporting cast consists of a large number of minor characters who fulfill essentially the same roles: the old woman and her great-aunt, who both tell her stories about the past; her two male friends, whose only role is to get her out of the house; the four young women who provide hints about supernatural phenomena. She also has two love interests, though the book spends a lot of time on the one that doesn't work out and hardly any on the one who apparently will.
As for the historical stories, the book merely skims the surface, often skipping decades at a time; this part follows around seven main characters, none of whom have much personality and all of whose stories are rushed, reading like weak summaries of other novels. There are a lot of family sagas and immigrant stories out there, and this book brings nothing new to the table, nor does it have the sort of depth or insight that would justify another version of an oft-told tale. And though it spans more than a century, we learn virtually nothing of history. The fact that I didn't even realize until halfway through that the African and Spanish stories begin some 40 years before the Chinese one is indicative of the amount of historical detail included.
Given the title I should mention the romances: everybody is supposed to be in an epic romance with someone, and this takes up a great deal of the plot, but readers aren't given much reason to invest in these relationships ourselves. Though, in fairness, I like to see fictional romances develop more, the opposite of the tendency in Latin American literature, which often features all-consuming love-at-first-sight.
In the end, this book just doesn't stand out. The writing is fine, though not brilliant. The dialogue is adequate, though even that can't bring these flat characters to life. The plot is enough of a soap opera that if you happen to be stuck somewhere with this book as your only reading material, it would probably keep you occupied and be better than nothing. But fortunately for you, this is unlikely to ever happen, and you'll miss nothing by skipping this one entirely.
This is one of those books that alternates every chapter between present-day and historical storylines, in which the modern-day character learns the story of the historical ones. The modern chapters feature Cecilia, an angsty young Cuban reporter living in Miami. Cecilia meets an old woman in a Cuban bar who begins to tell her stories, following three families which represent different groups of immigrants who relocated to Cuba and contributed to its culture: one Chinese, one Spanish and one African. For the first 150 pages or so these stories are separate (and all together get about as much time as Cecilia), but they begin intermarrying until by the end there's one historical thread alternating with the modern one.
Unless you're a big fan of Cuban music, which appears frequently, there's really nothing about this book that would compel you to seek it out: not the superficial and predictable plot, not the bland and underdeveloped characters, not the vague impressions of Havana that do little to immerse the reader in the historical period. Beginning with Cecilia, though: a perennial risk with novels structured this way is that too little happens in the modern-day story, or that the events that do occur are too trivial, to compare to the historical thread. This book falls into that trap, as Cecilia does little beyond angst about the fact that she has some bad memories of Cuba (never explored in any detail), and yet the country is still a part of her. She also dabbles in the supernatural, which appears frequently in the book without much affecting the plot. There's no real momentum to her story, and she spends a lot of time on mundane activities like washing dishes and paying tolls. Her supporting cast consists of a large number of minor characters who fulfill essentially the same roles: the old woman and her great-aunt, who both tell her stories about the past; her two male friends, whose only role is to get her out of the house; the four young women who provide hints about supernatural phenomena. She also has two love interests, though the book spends a lot of time on the one that doesn't work out and hardly any on the one who apparently will.
As for the historical stories, the book merely skims the surface, often skipping decades at a time; this part follows around seven main characters, none of whom have much personality and all of whose stories are rushed, reading like weak summaries of other novels. There are a lot of family sagas and immigrant stories out there, and this book brings nothing new to the table, nor does it have the sort of depth or insight that would justify another version of an oft-told tale. And though it spans more than a century, we learn virtually nothing of history. The fact that I didn't even realize until halfway through that the African and Spanish stories begin some 40 years before the Chinese one is indicative of the amount of historical detail included.
Given the title I should mention the romances: everybody is supposed to be in an epic romance with someone, and this takes up a great deal of the plot, but readers aren't given much reason to invest in these relationships ourselves. Though, in fairness, I like to see fictional romances develop more, the opposite of the tendency in Latin American literature, which often features all-consuming love-at-first-sight.
In the end, this book just doesn't stand out. The writing is fine, though not brilliant. The dialogue is adequate, though even that can't bring these flat characters to life. The plot is enough of a soap opera that if you happen to be stuck somewhere with this book as your only reading material, it would probably keep you occupied and be better than nothing. But fortunately for you, this is unlikely to ever happen, and you'll miss nothing by skipping this one entirely.
July 18, 2009
A very original novel. I liked it because it does not appeal to that everyday violence that I find in almost every contemporary book I read. It builds a love story with a lot of imagination, fantasy and unexpected twists. It's a novel for readers with intelligence and sensitivity.
March 25, 2021
I was interested in the background of this story. Cuba is a place I know close to nothing about, and especially the influence of the Chinese population on Cuba was a curiosity, so I was looking forward to a historical fiction novel. Sadly, rather than that, the book is a mix romance and mysticism which isn't my cup of tea.
I did like the mix of Chinese, Spanish and African stories in the historical parts. However, I did not connect with the protagonist on any level, and I found her story confusing and redundant, wishing I could skip it and go back to the historical fiction. Since she is the glue connecting all the stories, they simply didn't connect for me, and I was left with a feeling of lost opportunity. Two stars out of five.
I did like the mix of Chinese, Spanish and African stories in the historical parts. However, I did not connect with the protagonist on any level, and I found her story confusing and redundant, wishing I could skip it and go back to the historical fiction. Since she is the glue connecting all the stories, they simply didn't connect for me, and I was left with a feeling of lost opportunity. Two stars out of five.
May 10, 2021
tudo parece um prólogo, as sugestões de realismo mágico não se pagam, fala mal de Cuba só após o regime comunista, como se fosse uma grande terra de promessa e possibilidade antes (óbvio que pode e deve se criticar o regime, mas o ponto de vista é claramente de uma cubana em miami), tem umas 100 páginas ou a mais ou a menos, fiz força pra terminar pra ver se melhorava (não melhorou).
April 10, 2015
Since this is a Spanish novel, i'm posting my humble review in both English and Spanish, just in case any English speaking reader cares for the past (and present) of a broken country, the sadness of those you lost their home and the beauty of 4 different love stories.
I have to admit have mixed feelings with this novel. The story Cuba is, (as heartbreaking as it is for me to say it) resonating too much with my own country for me not to feel closely the anger, the fear and the sadness of the characters in this book. But what’s a book if not a little box of feelings and memories that will stick with you as long as you treasure them?…
The only reason i don't give this book the 5 stars that it might deserve for making me feel this much, its because not everyone will be affected the same way. I think you need to know that fear, that anger, that sense of not belonging. If you haven't, the main character, Cecilia might come out as a very boring character in the book. The story of the other 3 families was beautiful but keeping track of everyone could prove difficult. It has a family tree, yes, but that’s also a spoiler you may or may not want to discover too soon. Either way, it's worth giving a try.
Tengo que admitir que tengo sentimientos encontrados con esta novela. La historia de Cuba está (y me rompe el corazón tener que decirlo) resonando demasiado con la de mi propio país como para no sentir de cerca la rabia, el miedo y la tristeza de los personajes de este libro. ¿Pero qué es un libro si no una cajita de sentimientos y recuerdos que se quedan contigo mientras los atesores en tu corazón?
La única razón por la que no doy este libro las 5 estrellas que quizá se merezca por hacerme sentir tanto, es porque no todo el mundo se verá afectado de la misma manera. Creo que solo él que lo ha vivido sabe lo que es el miedo, el enojo, esa sensación de no pertenecer a ninguna parte. Si no lo conoces, Cecilia podrá parecerles muy aburrida. La historia de las otras 3 familias fue hermosa, pero seguirles la pista a todos quizá sea bastante complicado. El libro cuenta con un árbol genealógico, sí, pero eso es también un spoiler que quizá no quieran descubrir demasiado pronto.
De cualquier manera, vale la pena darle una oportunidad.
I have to admit have mixed feelings with this novel. The story Cuba is, (as heartbreaking as it is for me to say it) resonating too much with my own country for me not to feel closely the anger, the fear and the sadness of the characters in this book. But what’s a book if not a little box of feelings and memories that will stick with you as long as you treasure them?…
The only reason i don't give this book the 5 stars that it might deserve for making me feel this much, its because not everyone will be affected the same way. I think you need to know that fear, that anger, that sense of not belonging. If you haven't, the main character, Cecilia might come out as a very boring character in the book. The story of the other 3 families was beautiful but keeping track of everyone could prove difficult. It has a family tree, yes, but that’s also a spoiler you may or may not want to discover too soon. Either way, it's worth giving a try.
Tengo que admitir que tengo sentimientos encontrados con esta novela. La historia de Cuba está (y me rompe el corazón tener que decirlo) resonando demasiado con la de mi propio país como para no sentir de cerca la rabia, el miedo y la tristeza de los personajes de este libro. ¿Pero qué es un libro si no una cajita de sentimientos y recuerdos que se quedan contigo mientras los atesores en tu corazón?
La única razón por la que no doy este libro las 5 estrellas que quizá se merezca por hacerme sentir tanto, es porque no todo el mundo se verá afectado de la misma manera. Creo que solo él que lo ha vivido sabe lo que es el miedo, el enojo, esa sensación de no pertenecer a ninguna parte. Si no lo conoces, Cecilia podrá parecerles muy aburrida. La historia de las otras 3 familias fue hermosa, pero seguirles la pista a todos quizá sea bastante complicado. El libro cuenta con un árbol genealógico, sí, pero eso es también un spoiler que quizá no quieran descubrir demasiado pronto.
De cualquier manera, vale la pena darle una oportunidad.
October 3, 2022
Creo que ha sido la primera vez en el año que pongo cinco estrellas a un libro sin dudarlo. De hecho, creo que estaba convencida de su calificación para más o menos la mitad de la novela.
Es una especie de La casa de los espíritus, pero ambientada en Cuba y donde impera mucho más el asunto de los fantasmas y el mundo paranormal. Es muy místico, pero también tiene un tono de saga familiar que prolifera a lo largo de toda la novela. Tiene muchas voces en la narrativa y se va contando en un tiempo no lineal, yendo del presente al pasado según sea conveniente que el lector se vaya enterando de cómo pasaron las cosas.
La narración empieza con Cecilia, cubana radicada en Miami que es periodista y que empieza una especie de reportaje sobre una "casa embrujada". Investigando qué pasa con las apariciones de la casa embrujada se va desentrañando el resto de la trama de la novela. Es la típica historia a tres tiempos que va tomando fuerza cuando se entrelazan los personajes narradores.
Creo que es una novela muy intimista, poderosa y una de las cosas que más me ha gustado y con la que me he identificado es cómo se enfatiza muchísimo el mestizaje que es lo que compone los cimientos de la cultura latinoamericana. Me encantó ver cómo pasamos de África, China y Cuba, donde cada familia tiene un trozo de historia para contar y que estas se van convirtiendo en un todo. Las narradoras son brillantes y el estilo de la prosa es tan maravilloso que llené de notas y citas el kindle.
Es una lectura increíble y espero que no sea lo último que lea de esta autora.
Es una especie de La casa de los espíritus, pero ambientada en Cuba y donde impera mucho más el asunto de los fantasmas y el mundo paranormal. Es muy místico, pero también tiene un tono de saga familiar que prolifera a lo largo de toda la novela. Tiene muchas voces en la narrativa y se va contando en un tiempo no lineal, yendo del presente al pasado según sea conveniente que el lector se vaya enterando de cómo pasaron las cosas.
La narración empieza con Cecilia, cubana radicada en Miami que es periodista y que empieza una especie de reportaje sobre una "casa embrujada". Investigando qué pasa con las apariciones de la casa embrujada se va desentrañando el resto de la trama de la novela. Es la típica historia a tres tiempos que va tomando fuerza cuando se entrelazan los personajes narradores.
Creo que es una novela muy intimista, poderosa y una de las cosas que más me ha gustado y con la que me he identificado es cómo se enfatiza muchísimo el mestizaje que es lo que compone los cimientos de la cultura latinoamericana. Me encantó ver cómo pasamos de África, China y Cuba, donde cada familia tiene un trozo de historia para contar y que estas se van convirtiendo en un todo. Las narradoras son brillantes y el estilo de la prosa es tan maravilloso que llené de notas y citas el kindle.
Es una lectura increíble y espero que no sea lo último que lea de esta autora.
October 28, 2018
Evocadora, magnética, por momentos con atmósferas incluso góticas, tiene tintes de Thriller paranormal, etcétera, dicen que tiene de realismo mágico (cosa que no aseguro) pero la verdad que tiene de todo un poco bebe de lo mejor de nuestra literatura, con una narración muy fluida. Une el pasado con el presente de una manera fascinante y mágica. Como diríamos, el amor está en el aire, atraviesa toda la historia como un rio subterráneo y, solo al final podremos ver dónde es qué ve la luz en la superficie. Aunque aún estoy digiriendo cada palabra de esta novela, es indudable la capacidad de su autora de imbricar tantas tramas, tantos personajes como una maraña que en ocasiones no imaginé como se iba a desenredar, simplemente una genialidad. Están los claros homenajes a la cultura china, parte de nuestras mezclas étnicas y una de las tres más importantes en la formación de lo cubano. Emigración, Inmigración, añoranza, soledad, nostalgia, melancolía, son algunas de las temáticas evidentes en esta obra. ¡Otra maravilla de la literatura cubana! Apúntenla. No se la pierdan.
#LeoAutorasOct 2018
#LeoAutorasOct 2018
July 23, 2013
Removed original review because wow what a terrible review
I think that if I read this book again, now, I would love it. I may be more mature now.
I think that if I read this book again, now, I would love it. I may be more mature now.
November 6, 2021
Dar una crítica certera sobre una novela como es "La isla de los amores infinitos" es tan difícil como calificarla en un determinado género o movimiento literario. ¿Realismo mágico? ¿Fantasía? ¿Mezcla de ambos?
Escrita con precisión y conciencia, Daina Chaviano nos da a entender que su obra es seria y busca en cada párrafo atinar a lo trascendental, al más allá del papel.
Tenemos la historia de tres familias de distintos orígenes: china, española y africana que viven un entramado generacional lleno de pasión, deseos y sufrimiento, todo entretejido paralelamente al punto que sus destinos se cruzan en una trama de amor que prevalecerá al paso del tiempo.
Lo que prometía ser un clásico moderno de las letras cubanas y latinoamericanas -dicho para mí varias veces en su lectura- termina precipitándose en un híbrido a medio camino entre el melodrama, la crítica social o una "Casa de los Espíritus" algo maltrecha.
La lectura fascina, sobre todo en las tres primeras partes de la obra. Aún así la calidad argumental va decayendo sutilmente. El lector lo sabe, pero ya el barco ha zarpado y solo resta ver la costa a la que la narradora aspira llevarnos.
Quizás el punto de inflexión yace en la unión de las subtramas. Es ahí cuando se disipa la grandeza de la historia y se vuelve una novela romántica convencional. ¿Por qué la autora no apostó por esta vía? Eso jamás lo sabremos.
La obra también ostenta el defecto de ser excesivamente personal. Es difícil calcular las consecuencias de lo anterior para el lector. Habrá quienes se sientan embaucados con unas ideas que, aunque similares a las suyas, no les pertenecen ni les importa y que no ven necesidad de que sean compartidas. Por otro lado, algunos asentirán, satisfechos, "porque es necesario que estas cosas sean contadas y se sepan"
En lo personal me debato entre ambas líneas, aunque confieso inclinarme más por la primera. Pues a pesar del criterio común compartido, el creador nunca debe sobrepasar los límites de su creación, ni entrometerse en ella, algo que Daina hace y de forma violenta. Rompe el pacto ficcional y sus acciones repercuten en los personajes.
Vemos historias cerrarse demasiado rápido, personajes quedarse a medio camino para luego ser arrojados a destinos tan trágicos, que el lector solo puede compadecerse mientras dice "¿Era necesario?" Si el verdadero fin de esta Victor Hugo caribeña -más solapada, pero igual de incauta- era exponer su ideología, entonces todo es un medio.
Por fortuna el estilo nunca decae. El ritmo es acertado y con una correcta economía de palabras que, combinadas de forma eficaz, derivan en párrafos deliciosos. La narración no presenta defectos pese a algunos detalles.
Chaviano confiesa honrar a la Habana en los agradecimientos, cosa que logra con deleite y aporta más luz a ese recoveco oscurecido de la identidad cubana: la presencia de la cultura china.
Es una obra a sugerir para todo el que desee conocer los orígenes de la nación cubana, aunque recomiendo no tomarla muy en serio por lo ya dicho anteriormente.
Quizás convenga esperar una obra más ¿adecuada? al canon literario de Cuba que logre iluminarnos de forma comedida en cuanto al tema de las migraciones y las raíces de nuestra identidad como cubanos, sin tapujos pero tampoco impertinencias.
Escrita con precisión y conciencia, Daina Chaviano nos da a entender que su obra es seria y busca en cada párrafo atinar a lo trascendental, al más allá del papel.
Tenemos la historia de tres familias de distintos orígenes: china, española y africana que viven un entramado generacional lleno de pasión, deseos y sufrimiento, todo entretejido paralelamente al punto que sus destinos se cruzan en una trama de amor que prevalecerá al paso del tiempo.
Lo que prometía ser un clásico moderno de las letras cubanas y latinoamericanas -dicho para mí varias veces en su lectura- termina precipitándose en un híbrido a medio camino entre el melodrama, la crítica social o una "Casa de los Espíritus" algo maltrecha.
La lectura fascina, sobre todo en las tres primeras partes de la obra. Aún así la calidad argumental va decayendo sutilmente. El lector lo sabe, pero ya el barco ha zarpado y solo resta ver la costa a la que la narradora aspira llevarnos.
Quizás el punto de inflexión yace en la unión de las subtramas. Es ahí cuando se disipa la grandeza de la historia y se vuelve una novela romántica convencional. ¿Por qué la autora no apostó por esta vía? Eso jamás lo sabremos.
La obra también ostenta el defecto de ser excesivamente personal. Es difícil calcular las consecuencias de lo anterior para el lector. Habrá quienes se sientan embaucados con unas ideas que, aunque similares a las suyas, no les pertenecen ni les importa y que no ven necesidad de que sean compartidas. Por otro lado, algunos asentirán, satisfechos, "porque es necesario que estas cosas sean contadas y se sepan"
En lo personal me debato entre ambas líneas, aunque confieso inclinarme más por la primera. Pues a pesar del criterio común compartido, el creador nunca debe sobrepasar los límites de su creación, ni entrometerse en ella, algo que Daina hace y de forma violenta. Rompe el pacto ficcional y sus acciones repercuten en los personajes.
Vemos historias cerrarse demasiado rápido, personajes quedarse a medio camino para luego ser arrojados a destinos tan trágicos, que el lector solo puede compadecerse mientras dice "¿Era necesario?" Si el verdadero fin de esta Victor Hugo caribeña -más solapada, pero igual de incauta- era exponer su ideología, entonces todo es un medio.
Por fortuna el estilo nunca decae. El ritmo es acertado y con una correcta economía de palabras que, combinadas de forma eficaz, derivan en párrafos deliciosos. La narración no presenta defectos pese a algunos detalles.
Chaviano confiesa honrar a la Habana en los agradecimientos, cosa que logra con deleite y aporta más luz a ese recoveco oscurecido de la identidad cubana: la presencia de la cultura china.
Es una obra a sugerir para todo el que desee conocer los orígenes de la nación cubana, aunque recomiendo no tomarla muy en serio por lo ya dicho anteriormente.
Quizás convenga esperar una obra más ¿adecuada? al canon literario de Cuba que logre iluminarnos de forma comedida en cuanto al tema de las migraciones y las raíces de nuestra identidad como cubanos, sin tapujos pero tampoco impertinencias.
November 17, 2013
Latin American literature is famous for the genre of magical realism, but this was really only "magical" (and how I wish I meant that as a euphemism for "good"). It blends myths and concepts of magic from the Spanish, African and Chinese cultures that contributed to making Cuba, placing this hybridised concept of magic even in present-day Miami, which could potentially be interesting, but in this book it's not.
To be honest, most of this book is not interesting. As the blurb will tell you, the novel begins when reclusive Cuban emigrant Cecilia is dragged out of the house by two male friends who she ditches to meet an old woman, Amalia, at a Miami bar. The book is made up of short chapters that alternate between telling Amalia's entire family history and Cecilia's very boring, mundane existence.
Basically, Cecilia is a journalist and she is investigating some ghost house, since apparently she works for the kind of publication where a ghost house is a valid idea for a story. She gets involved in a lot of kooky New Age stuff and she also, at some point, meets a guy (Roberto) who is a rich businessman who just can't stop talking about his successful business and also, all the businesses he will open in Cuba once his profit-minded family can return. Cecilia doesn't even like him that much but she's devastated when he dumps her, to the point that she develops a psychosomatic illness that she is able to banish just by willing her blood pressure to go down. Hmmm…
Amalia's family history is more interesting, but still not that great. The characters aren't very well realised; they mostly just kind of blur together and I had to keep referring to the family trees in the first few pages because I just could not remember who had done what, or even who was who. Also, guess what, (almost) everyone was a successful small business owner. It was very unrealistic.
So we come to the other reason I didn't like this book – in addition to the badly realised characters, the awkward pacing, and so on, it was kind of right-wing. When early on it talks about shortages (Cecilia's musing that she'd never had hot chocolate in Cuba), the US embargo goes unmentioned. Later, you have the clairvoyant Delfina claiming that the failure of the US-backed Bay of Pigs invasion will be the greatest tragedy ever to befall Cuba, you have one of the small-business-owning (actually by this time, franchise-chain-owning) characters whingeing that he supported the rebels and don't they understand that private property is sacrosanct… blah blah blah blah blah. Over the entire book, Cecilia alternately conceives of Cuba as hell or else a once-beautiful country trashed and burned by criminals. This is frustrating. Mostly, it's just so damned shallow. I'm not trying to say it shouldn't have criticised Castro's regime at all – the pettiness making emigrants wait years for their exit permits, the stifling of dissent, persecution and harassment of dissidents etc. are all important – but any analysis of Cuba that states that the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion was the greatest tragedy ever to befall Cuba is just trash. I mean, it's also a book largely set among the Cuban emigrant milieu in Miami written by a Cuban emigrant, so maybe I'm expecting a bit much from this politically. But like, there is left-wing criticism of the Castro regime and there is right-wing criticism, and I wasn't expecting this book to be so far to the right (the blurb makes it seem pretty apolitical).
So. Ultimately this is a kind of boring book that serves as a lament to the losses of the old Cuban bourgeoisie, and I did not like it. Unless you have no choice (like you find yourself in an airport where the bookstore has nothing except copies of this?), avoid.
To be honest, most of this book is not interesting. As the blurb will tell you, the novel begins when reclusive Cuban emigrant Cecilia is dragged out of the house by two male friends who she ditches to meet an old woman, Amalia, at a Miami bar. The book is made up of short chapters that alternate between telling Amalia's entire family history and Cecilia's very boring, mundane existence.
Basically, Cecilia is a journalist and she is investigating some ghost house, since apparently she works for the kind of publication where a ghost house is a valid idea for a story. She gets involved in a lot of kooky New Age stuff and she also, at some point, meets a guy (Roberto) who is a rich businessman who just can't stop talking about his successful business and also, all the businesses he will open in Cuba once his profit-minded family can return. Cecilia doesn't even like him that much but she's devastated when he dumps her, to the point that she develops a psychosomatic illness that she is able to banish just by willing her blood pressure to go down. Hmmm…
Amalia's family history is more interesting, but still not that great. The characters aren't very well realised; they mostly just kind of blur together and I had to keep referring to the family trees in the first few pages because I just could not remember who had done what, or even who was who. Also, guess what, (almost) everyone was a successful small business owner. It was very unrealistic.
So we come to the other reason I didn't like this book – in addition to the badly realised characters, the awkward pacing, and so on, it was kind of right-wing. When early on it talks about shortages (Cecilia's musing that she'd never had hot chocolate in Cuba), the US embargo goes unmentioned. Later, you have the clairvoyant Delfina claiming that the failure of the US-backed Bay of Pigs invasion will be the greatest tragedy ever to befall Cuba, you have one of the small-business-owning (actually by this time, franchise-chain-owning) characters whingeing that he supported the rebels and don't they understand that private property is sacrosanct… blah blah blah blah blah. Over the entire book, Cecilia alternately conceives of Cuba as hell or else a once-beautiful country trashed and burned by criminals. This is frustrating. Mostly, it's just so damned shallow. I'm not trying to say it shouldn't have criticised Castro's regime at all – the pettiness making emigrants wait years for their exit permits, the stifling of dissent, persecution and harassment of dissidents etc. are all important – but any analysis of Cuba that states that the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion was the greatest tragedy ever to befall Cuba is just trash. I mean, it's also a book largely set among the Cuban emigrant milieu in Miami written by a Cuban emigrant, so maybe I'm expecting a bit much from this politically. But like, there is left-wing criticism of the Castro regime and there is right-wing criticism, and I wasn't expecting this book to be so far to the right (the blurb makes it seem pretty apolitical).
So. Ultimately this is a kind of boring book that serves as a lament to the losses of the old Cuban bourgeoisie, and I did not like it. Unless you have no choice (like you find yourself in an airport where the bookstore has nothing except copies of this?), avoid.
August 14, 2021
Real Rating: 3.5, rounded up for the descriptions of food.
I'd like to award this book thr "Multi-generational family saga that barely scrapes 300 pages and somehow doesn't feel underdone award."
It's a compliment, trust me.
I normally avoid multi-generational family sagas like the plague. They tend to be overlong and dry; they somehow manage to spend 600 pages making the same point about either family or culture that short stories manage to do in 30. I also try to avoid books described as "dreamy" since that usually equates to "impenetrable characters."
Can you tell I'm still scarred from Rushdie's Midnight's Children? Because I am. But I needed to fill my "Read a fantasy by a Latin author" square on this year's reading bingo, and I'm a sad grad student who can't afford any of the **snazzy** Latin--inspired fantasies that have been released in the last few years. So. The Island of Eternal Love it was.
And while it wasn't good enough to convert me into a literary-magical realism-family-saga lover, I have to give credit where credit is due. Chaviano didn't overstay her welcome. She balanced multiple storylines with ease, and at no point did the narrative drag. The story included Chinese, Cuban, American, Spanish, and African influences, yet none of it felt out of place. The language and magic was what made the book "dreamy" not forced distance from the characters, which was nice. Honestly, this is one of the best executions of a true fantasy Gothic that I've ever read, so if that is your thing, I would be shoving this book into your hand without hesitation.
That said, I think its an easy book to put down. I was able to pick it up and down without issue, and while that worked out for my schedule, it wasn't great when I needed to remember names and connections. There were a few unexplained elements as well--Martinico being the main one--that I think crossed the line from "mysterious" to "dropped plot element".
If I had to describe this book to anyone, I would tell them that its basically sitting down and letting your Latin grandma tell of family history. Ghosts are an accepted driver of family events, ties to historical events and the present are emphasized, and romance is dwelled on in all its forms. (Am Latina, can confirm). It's a comforting read, not light, but warm.
I'd like to award this book thr "Multi-generational family saga that barely scrapes 300 pages and somehow doesn't feel underdone award."
It's a compliment, trust me.
I normally avoid multi-generational family sagas like the plague. They tend to be overlong and dry; they somehow manage to spend 600 pages making the same point about either family or culture that short stories manage to do in 30. I also try to avoid books described as "dreamy" since that usually equates to "impenetrable characters."
Can you tell I'm still scarred from Rushdie's Midnight's Children? Because I am. But I needed to fill my "Read a fantasy by a Latin author" square on this year's reading bingo, and I'm a sad grad student who can't afford any of the **snazzy** Latin--inspired fantasies that have been released in the last few years. So. The Island of Eternal Love it was.
And while it wasn't good enough to convert me into a literary-magical realism-family-saga lover, I have to give credit where credit is due. Chaviano didn't overstay her welcome. She balanced multiple storylines with ease, and at no point did the narrative drag. The story included Chinese, Cuban, American, Spanish, and African influences, yet none of it felt out of place. The language and magic was what made the book "dreamy" not forced distance from the characters, which was nice. Honestly, this is one of the best executions of a true fantasy Gothic that I've ever read, so if that is your thing, I would be shoving this book into your hand without hesitation.
That said, I think its an easy book to put down. I was able to pick it up and down without issue, and while that worked out for my schedule, it wasn't great when I needed to remember names and connections. There were a few unexplained elements as well--Martinico being the main one--that I think crossed the line from "mysterious" to "dropped plot element".
If I had to describe this book to anyone, I would tell them that its basically sitting down and letting your Latin grandma tell of family history. Ghosts are an accepted driver of family events, ties to historical events and the present are emphasized, and romance is dwelled on in all its forms. (Am Latina, can confirm). It's a comforting read, not light, but warm.
July 13, 2008
An interesting piece. I read it in the English translation and could not help but imagine the wording that the author might have used in the original Spanish. This didn't detract from the pleaure of the reading but I would like to get a Spanish language copy to savor some of the typical Cubanspeak which came through fairly well in the English language version.
September 5, 2022
I cried myself to sleep after finishing this book. Full of grief, love, tragedy and beautiful themes that are told through different POVs, narratives and multiple generations. It touched me in a way that a book has not in a very VERY long time. Fully recommended.
August 22, 2026
Waar ik dacht een simpele zomer romance te gaan lezen die zich afspeelt op Cuba, heeft dit verhaal me verrast met de uitgebreide culturele aspecten en goed uitgedachte familieverhalen. Ik begon een beetje terughoudend door de bovennatuurlijke gebeurtenissen in het boek, maar naarmate de culturele achtergrond hiervan belicht werd kon ik dit meer op prijs stellen. Al met al een fascinerend verhaal!
October 24, 2010
I have just finished a journey through the ethnic history of a people - my people - in a land of love and blood, as well as magically captivating landscapes in which sun and moon dance to the intoxicating rhythms of a gently rolling sea.
I have found myself in these pages. Chaviano's enthralling story has wrapped me in a nostalgic dream, one that had, inexplicably enough, dwelt in my subconscious mind for years. It was the dream of a beautiful island paradise, one where love is indeed eternal, where the warm breezes of the Malecon enticed one with their romantic whisperings, where the night pulsed with vibrant music, the music of the masters--Ernesto Lecuona, Benny More...
This dream awakened once more in me as I read this enchanting story, which weaves the tales of three different families, three different ethnic groups, into one single thread. The experiences of each family also serve to highlight key periods of Cuban history.
There is the Chinese family, who seeks refuge from war in a land already sheltering their fellow countrymen. There is the African family, in the person of a young girl cruelly snatched from the bosom of her tribe, to be sold into slavery. Then there is the family from Spain, whose female members inherit a strangely humorous curse.
Cecilia, the protagonist, ties everything together through her unusual conversations with Amalia, a mysterious old woman whom she meets in a Little Havana bar, a Miami neighborhood thus nicknamed for its heavy concentration of Cuban immigrants in the '60s and '70s. Cuban boleros play in the background, while vistas of a Havana from a bygone era roll on a screen set up next to the dance floor.
The whole tale unfolds as Cecilia, feeling existentially lost in Miami, sits by Amalia's side, raptly listening to the woman's tale of the three families, of growing up listening to the giants of Cuban music, of her loving relationship with Rita Montaner, the great Cuban actress.
Cecilia listens, and her nostalgia and sense of loss grow, even as, in her life away from the bar and these enthralling tales, she starts to investigate a very strange phenomenon - a haunted house that appears in different locations all over Miami, as it once also appeared in Havana.
There are humorous touches in this magical book, as well, such as the already mentioned curse, and one of Cecilia's friends, who calls himself "La Lupe", after a Cuban singer of recent years. One cannot possibly forget "Fidelina", the parrot who screams out popular Communist slogans, to the constant dismay of her owner. The comical parrot satirizes the Cuban dictator she is obviously named for.
The plot weaves its serendipitous way from Amalia's tale to Cecilia's present-day life, from Havana to Miami. Through this technique, Chaviano metaphorically expresses the unceasing dance of longing felt by all Cubans who have had to uproot themselves in order to find a freedom denied to them by an oppressive regime.
Magical, enthralling, enchanting...this novel is a mesmerizing tapestry of the Cuban experience, told by a literary master. It is the quintessential Cuban novel. It is the story of my heart and soul, as it is that of all of us born in that magical, eternal land of eternal love...
I have found myself in these pages. Chaviano's enthralling story has wrapped me in a nostalgic dream, one that had, inexplicably enough, dwelt in my subconscious mind for years. It was the dream of a beautiful island paradise, one where love is indeed eternal, where the warm breezes of the Malecon enticed one with their romantic whisperings, where the night pulsed with vibrant music, the music of the masters--Ernesto Lecuona, Benny More...
This dream awakened once more in me as I read this enchanting story, which weaves the tales of three different families, three different ethnic groups, into one single thread. The experiences of each family also serve to highlight key periods of Cuban history.
There is the Chinese family, who seeks refuge from war in a land already sheltering their fellow countrymen. There is the African family, in the person of a young girl cruelly snatched from the bosom of her tribe, to be sold into slavery. Then there is the family from Spain, whose female members inherit a strangely humorous curse.
Cecilia, the protagonist, ties everything together through her unusual conversations with Amalia, a mysterious old woman whom she meets in a Little Havana bar, a Miami neighborhood thus nicknamed for its heavy concentration of Cuban immigrants in the '60s and '70s. Cuban boleros play in the background, while vistas of a Havana from a bygone era roll on a screen set up next to the dance floor.
The whole tale unfolds as Cecilia, feeling existentially lost in Miami, sits by Amalia's side, raptly listening to the woman's tale of the three families, of growing up listening to the giants of Cuban music, of her loving relationship with Rita Montaner, the great Cuban actress.
Cecilia listens, and her nostalgia and sense of loss grow, even as, in her life away from the bar and these enthralling tales, she starts to investigate a very strange phenomenon - a haunted house that appears in different locations all over Miami, as it once also appeared in Havana.
There are humorous touches in this magical book, as well, such as the already mentioned curse, and one of Cecilia's friends, who calls himself "La Lupe", after a Cuban singer of recent years. One cannot possibly forget "Fidelina", the parrot who screams out popular Communist slogans, to the constant dismay of her owner. The comical parrot satirizes the Cuban dictator she is obviously named for.
The plot weaves its serendipitous way from Amalia's tale to Cecilia's present-day life, from Havana to Miami. Through this technique, Chaviano metaphorically expresses the unceasing dance of longing felt by all Cubans who have had to uproot themselves in order to find a freedom denied to them by an oppressive regime.
Magical, enthralling, enchanting...this novel is a mesmerizing tapestry of the Cuban experience, told by a literary master. It is the quintessential Cuban novel. It is the story of my heart and soul, as it is that of all of us born in that magical, eternal land of eternal love...
October 12, 2009
The Island of Eternal Love by Daina Chaviano centers on Cecilia, a Miami journalist, who after having migrated during the 1994 Cuban exodus is experiencing bouts of homesickness and depression. At the insistence of friends, she is reluctantly dragged along for a night out and meets an old woman in the back of the club who commences to tell her life story to Cecilia. Finding more interest in the old woman's story than the club scene, Cecilia anxiously returns on a regular basis to hear the next episode in the soap opera-like saga. Therein, the history of Cuba unfolds in the old woman's rendering of an enchanting multi-generational love story.
The reader is transported back to China and follows the migration of a young, hopeful Chinese family to the island and learns of the survival, assimilation, and racial challenges that ensue. The Spanish conquerors and the enslaved Africans are represented in their historical context and the comingling of the races is inevitable and evident in the colorful landscape of Cubans today. What also emerges is the manifestation of curses, superstitions, and mythical lore evidenced in segments where a mischievous imp torments the chosen women of one family for generations and a mysterious phantom house randomly that appears throughout Little Havana, which ironically (or perhaps it is fate) becomes Cecilia's assignment at the newspaper where she is a reporter. The author eventually bridges the significance of the house, the disjointed family saga, and Cecelia's angst to wrap up the novel nicely.
This was my first time reading Chaviano and I chose to read it based on the synopsis, which hinted at a cross-cultural tale that explored the African, Chinese and Spanish ancestry of the Cuban people. While all three cultures were mentioned, I honestly expected more in regards to the African cultural contribution but the novel tended to focus more on the Chinese and Spanish influences - which is fine, I just expected an equal presentation or representation of the tri-cultures. Nonetheless, the novel is a wonderful blend of myth, fantasy, and speculative fiction - it is a refreshing departure from the "norm" for those who can use their imaginations and open their minds to the concepts of predestined love, the influences of the supernatural on the living, and appreciate an alternative approach toward historical fiction
The reader is transported back to China and follows the migration of a young, hopeful Chinese family to the island and learns of the survival, assimilation, and racial challenges that ensue. The Spanish conquerors and the enslaved Africans are represented in their historical context and the comingling of the races is inevitable and evident in the colorful landscape of Cubans today. What also emerges is the manifestation of curses, superstitions, and mythical lore evidenced in segments where a mischievous imp torments the chosen women of one family for generations and a mysterious phantom house randomly that appears throughout Little Havana, which ironically (or perhaps it is fate) becomes Cecilia's assignment at the newspaper where she is a reporter. The author eventually bridges the significance of the house, the disjointed family saga, and Cecelia's angst to wrap up the novel nicely.
This was my first time reading Chaviano and I chose to read it based on the synopsis, which hinted at a cross-cultural tale that explored the African, Chinese and Spanish ancestry of the Cuban people. While all three cultures were mentioned, I honestly expected more in regards to the African cultural contribution but the novel tended to focus more on the Chinese and Spanish influences - which is fine, I just expected an equal presentation or representation of the tri-cultures. Nonetheless, the novel is a wonderful blend of myth, fantasy, and speculative fiction - it is a refreshing departure from the "norm" for those who can use their imaginations and open their minds to the concepts of predestined love, the influences of the supernatural on the living, and appreciate an alternative approach toward historical fiction
March 6, 2010
This is a pretty good read despite some minor flaws. It goes back and forth between modern day Miami and historical Cuba. Cecilia left Cuba and is currently living in Miami, but her past haunts her. She misses Cuba but also hates Cuba, or what Cuba has become. She meets an old lady in a bar who begins to tell her a tale of three separate families, all having made Cuba their home. There is a Chinese family that fled war torn China in hopes of finding refuge in the tropics, a family descendend from slaves, and a Spanish family. Each one of these families has stories of love, loss, revolution, and hope. Somehow, they all connect to each other. While Cecilia learns of all these families, she is forced to come to terms with her own history and losses while chasing a "phantom" house and dabbling in a bit of magic herself. Can she overcome her bitterness and move on? Can she find happiness in Miami?
There was a lot of magic and talking dead people, but I rather liked it all except the dwarf imp. I found that just a bit too.. preposterous. Otherwise, a very engaging read. I enjoyed all the stories when the imp wasn't popping up. However, are some things that seem to have been lost or neglected in the translation. Angela leaves Cuba for America while she is pregnant with Pepe and the book fails to tell the reader when they went back to Cuba. I was still under the impression that Angela and Pepe still lived in America until all of a sudden Pepe is visiting Mercedes in a house of ill repute in Cuba. It wasn't a short island hop back then so I was left scratching my head. Also, Pepe was born in America on one page and a few chapters later, the book says he was born in Cuba. Some things were just off. Thus, four stars.
There was a lot of magic and talking dead people, but I rather liked it all except the dwarf imp. I found that just a bit too.. preposterous. Otherwise, a very engaging read. I enjoyed all the stories when the imp wasn't popping up. However, are some things that seem to have been lost or neglected in the translation. Angela leaves Cuba for America while she is pregnant with Pepe and the book fails to tell the reader when they went back to Cuba. I was still under the impression that Angela and Pepe still lived in America until all of a sudden Pepe is visiting Mercedes in a house of ill repute in Cuba. It wasn't a short island hop back then so I was left scratching my head. Also, Pepe was born in America on one page and a few chapters later, the book says he was born in Cuba. Some things were just off. Thus, four stars.
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March 6, 2024Dios mío, qué preciosidad de libro.
Al principio me costó un poco engancharme, pero después de las primeras 50 páginas lo he devorado. Me ha gustado mucho el repaso por la historia de la población cubana (que desconocía por completo) y la inclusión de algún personaje real. A mí personalmente me encanta el realismo mágico, la inclusión de leyendas, espíritus y personajes de la cultura popular más folklórica me enternece mucho el corazón porque es algo muy íntimo de cada uno de los países del mundo, es como la parte más inocente y real de la personalidad de los lugares y de sus gentes. Ha habido muchísimo dolor en el relato, pero también mucho amor, y un debate muy intenso sobre la angustia y la pasión que uno siente por el lugar donde ha nacido, que para bien o para mal siempre será el verdadero hogar, quizá no del cuerpo pero sí del alma.
La idea final del amor que trasciende a cualquier frontera es preciosa, que nunca estamos solos del todo cuando nos han amado, y que el destino parece un ovillo enrevesado cuando se empieza a recorrerlo pero con tiempo y fe, el hilo siempre nos lleva a donde debemos estar.
“Uno aprende a amar el lugar donde ha amado”
Al principio me costó un poco engancharme, pero después de las primeras 50 páginas lo he devorado. Me ha gustado mucho el repaso por la historia de la población cubana (que desconocía por completo) y la inclusión de algún personaje real. A mí personalmente me encanta el realismo mágico, la inclusión de leyendas, espíritus y personajes de la cultura popular más folklórica me enternece mucho el corazón porque es algo muy íntimo de cada uno de los países del mundo, es como la parte más inocente y real de la personalidad de los lugares y de sus gentes. Ha habido muchísimo dolor en el relato, pero también mucho amor, y un debate muy intenso sobre la angustia y la pasión que uno siente por el lugar donde ha nacido, que para bien o para mal siempre será el verdadero hogar, quizá no del cuerpo pero sí del alma.
La idea final del amor que trasciende a cualquier frontera es preciosa, que nunca estamos solos del todo cuando nos han amado, y que el destino parece un ovillo enrevesado cuando se empieza a recorrerlo pero con tiempo y fe, el hilo siempre nos lleva a donde debemos estar.
“Uno aprende a amar el lugar donde ha amado”
January 13, 2012
Having no prior knowledge of Cuba, this book was an educational read in terms of the country’s heritage and history. However, while the story radiates a mysterious atmosphere by melding Chinese, Spanish and African mythology/folklore which I loved, it lacked in skill. Many scenes felt superficially told and unexplored. When it came to it, gauging the depth of the emotions portrayed by the characters was a challenge and little imagery could be summoned. I also had a problem with the shifting time frames. Movement through them wasn’t fluid at all. For instance, you just start to get to love Angela when the author shifts back to Cecilia in the present and then back to an unrecognizable Angela of 20 years after. I didn’t feel like I had enough chance to get to know/appreciate the characters because Chaviano was manipulating time like a vicious game of ping-pong. I was confused for the most part and had to buckle down and think very long and very hard to remember who was who and where the heck they were at that particular moment. Too bad because it really could’ve been such a rich saga.
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August 1, 2007Descripción:
Tres familias de orígenes y culturas dispares protagonizan esta apasionante saga de emigrantes que recalan en Cuba y cuyos destinos a lo largo de más de 150 años correrán parejos con los de la bella isla. Desde el Miami actual, la historia retrocede hasta 1856, cuando entran en contacto los personajes, procedentes de China, España y África, y surge el amor, que hallará una mágina continuidad un siglo más tarde. Una hermosa historia de esperanzas y sueños rotos, de nostalgia, exilio y amores unidos por el destino.
Fuente: http://www.casadellibro.com/fichas/fi...
Tres familias de orígenes y culturas dispares protagonizan esta apasionante saga de emigrantes que recalan en Cuba y cuyos destinos a lo largo de más de 150 años correrán parejos con los de la bella isla. Desde el Miami actual, la historia retrocede hasta 1856, cuando entran en contacto los personajes, procedentes de China, España y África, y surge el amor, que hallará una mágina continuidad un siglo más tarde. Una hermosa historia de esperanzas y sueños rotos, de nostalgia, exilio y amores unidos por el destino.
Fuente: http://www.casadellibro.com/fichas/fi...
November 9, 2021
Me encantó éste libro porque no te cuenta la historia de amor entre Cecilia y Martín, te cuenta todo lo que tuvo que pasar muchos años antes en 3 países distintos, para que ellos coincidan.
Amor, muerte, una casa que aparece y desaparece, un duende, asesinatos, suicidios, rebeliones, médiums, giros inesperados, este libro lo tiene todo.
Cuando eres inmigrante, siempre, siempre, vas a añorar el lugar en el que naciste, y este libro tiene mucho de ese amor a tu lugar de origen.
En definitiva es un muy buen libro.
Amor, muerte, una casa que aparece y desaparece, un duende, asesinatos, suicidios, rebeliones, médiums, giros inesperados, este libro lo tiene todo.
Cuando eres inmigrante, siempre, siempre, vas a añorar el lugar en el que naciste, y este libro tiene mucho de ese amor a tu lugar de origen.
En definitiva es un muy buen libro.
February 24, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ms. Chaviano manages to weave together the stories of a small ensemble of characters...all of them quite interesting as they navigate major changes in their lives. In the process, she provides an historically rich and stimulating look at how aspects of Chinese, Spanish and African cultures came together to create Cuban culture. With a bit of mysticism and a dose of healthy imagination, she takes the reader on a refreshing, entertaining and educational journey.
September 15, 2016
Увлекателна творба, преплитаща четири истории. Три от тях проследяват живота на няколко поколения представители на различни етноси, влизащи в състава на кубинската нация, представител на която е главният герой от четвъртата история.
Истории за Любов и духове, неподвалстни на времето и човешката тленност
Истории за Любов и духове, неподвалстни на времето и човешката тленност
August 28, 2017
Miami 1994. una giovane giornalista cubana rifugiata in America incontra in un locale una vecchia che inizia a raccontarle la sua storia, che è quella di tre famiglie appartenenti alle tre etnie che compongono il popolo cubano: cinese, africana e spagnola. Due livelli di narrazione: la Miami del presente e Cuba a partire dal 1350.Fascino, mistero e tradizioni cubane
April 24, 2008
I'm currently reading this book and enjoying it so far. One reason why I like the book is that the main character is called Cecilia, like me. Will be back with a proper review soon. :)
May 11, 2023
Eso de incluir títulos de boleros, me fascinó. Ha sido uno de mis libros favoritos.
February 8, 2022
Sería más un 3,5 que un 4, pero la verdad es que me ha gustado bastante.
Para mí ha sido totalmente una lectura de confort: saga familiar, realismo mágico, múltiples personajes, dos tramas (presente/pasado) y una ambientación en Cuba y Miami. Vamos, todos los elementos para gustarme, y así ha sido.
En primer lugar, me ha encantado la forma de escribir de la autora, muy poética, muy lírica, con toques de fantasía, de misterios, maldiciones y elementos sobrenaturales que le van a la historia como anillo al dedo. Predomina el drama y el romance, el destino y la añoranza por la patria perdida, en este caso, Cuba. La historia avanza a un ritmo rápido, presentándonos a tres familias muy diferente cuyos futuros se entrelazarán en esta isla de ensueño.
La trama del pasado, como suele pasar, es fenomenal. Muy rica y variada y con personajes muy variopintos, no aburre en ningún momento. La trama del presente no ha estado mal, aunque algunas cosas me han chirriado más. Creo que es un poco más random. Me encanta la relación de amor/odio de la protagonista con Cuba, y terminé subrayando un montón de pasajes que me parecían preciosos. Por otro lado, creo que hay muchos elementos en esta trama que no terminan de conectar con la historia principal y que se quedan un poco como cabos sueltos. Algún romance que termina sin aportar nada, una casa encantada que no termino de comprender cuál era su función en el libro, personajes que van y vienen... parece como un batiburrillo de cosas, muchas de las cuales terminan sin aportar gran cosa. De todas maneras, también la he disfrutado.
En general, un libro original, aunque la parte final se hace un poco larga. A pesar de tener sus fallos, lo he disfrutado bastante, para mí ha sido una lectura que no podía fallar.
Para mí ha sido totalmente una lectura de confort: saga familiar, realismo mágico, múltiples personajes, dos tramas (presente/pasado) y una ambientación en Cuba y Miami. Vamos, todos los elementos para gustarme, y así ha sido.
En primer lugar, me ha encantado la forma de escribir de la autora, muy poética, muy lírica, con toques de fantasía, de misterios, maldiciones y elementos sobrenaturales que le van a la historia como anillo al dedo. Predomina el drama y el romance, el destino y la añoranza por la patria perdida, en este caso, Cuba. La historia avanza a un ritmo rápido, presentándonos a tres familias muy diferente cuyos futuros se entrelazarán en esta isla de ensueño.
La trama del pasado, como suele pasar, es fenomenal. Muy rica y variada y con personajes muy variopintos, no aburre en ningún momento. La trama del presente no ha estado mal, aunque algunas cosas me han chirriado más. Creo que es un poco más random. Me encanta la relación de amor/odio de la protagonista con Cuba, y terminé subrayando un montón de pasajes que me parecían preciosos. Por otro lado, creo que hay muchos elementos en esta trama que no terminan de conectar con la historia principal y que se quedan un poco como cabos sueltos. Algún romance que termina sin aportar nada, una casa encantada que no termino de comprender cuál era su función en el libro, personajes que van y vienen... parece como un batiburrillo de cosas, muchas de las cuales terminan sin aportar gran cosa. De todas maneras, también la he disfrutado.
En general, un libro original, aunque la parte final se hace un poco larga. A pesar de tener sus fallos, lo he disfrutado bastante, para mí ha sido una lectura que no podía fallar.
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