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There are currently 26 member reviews
for Of Women and Salt
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Martha S. (Mentor, OH)
Of Women and Salt
This is the first book written by the author. I felt each chapter of the book seemed to read like a part of a group of short stories. A brief genealogy chart was in the front of the book and the chapters were written about each of these women. I confess I would have been a little lost without this chart to use as a reference. I also had difficulty with the use of words in Spanish or a Spanish dialect. Never less, I enjoyed the story and appreciated the difficulty of the lives of this family. Interesting characters these women were, brave and persistent in living their own lives as they felt they should. I would recommend the book for book clubs as I think it would spark discussion and it is a short book.
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Katharine Phenix
Cuba, Miami, Mexico, Oh My
There are women and there is salt in this story, or should I say stories. The structure reminds me of a shawl I am knitting. It’s made of leftover yarn, so there are strong stripes of bright colors against rows of bland timeless yarn which are woven in by chance and happenstance. The stories of these generations of women are the bright stripes. It is made of moments that became momentous. These stories, like the lives of the five generations of Cuban and two of El Salvadoran women told here, could have been so much more. Their lives, and this book, fell short of potential.
She knows the geography of her topics. Cuba, Miami, the borderlands of Mexico and the Rio Grande, and even the terrain of Jeannette’s descent into addiction are depicted with beautifully wrought detail. The writing is uneven, but in places, gripping. It is the secrets that the women kept from each other and themselves that are unfortunately kept from us as well.
Garcia takes us places we need to go. Cuban history is checkered with violence and bravery. Central American immigration is also violent and brave. Tell us more, Gabriela, I’ll go back with you again in your next book.
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Doris K. (Mountain Iron, MN)
Of Women and Salt
This book tells of the agony of women who fought for a better life. The importance of family ties is illustrated throughout the book. The author writes very well and gives an excellent picture of life first in Cuba then on to Mexico and finally back to Florida. Conditions in all of these areas are well described. Especially with the insight into the drug culture and how it affects people it is at times difficult to read. It reminded me of American Dirt which also told of how and why people are so desperate to get to the United States. Overall this is worth reading.
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Valerie
A tale of mothers and daughters
While I did not find this book overwhelmingly engaging, the issues touched upon were real. Gentler than American Dirt, the issues of immigration into the US formed an educational back drop for the mother’s and daughters relationship issues.
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Beth B. (New Wilmington, PA)
Familial Connections
I commend Gabriela Garcia on her first novel that is indeed unique and haunting. It is evident that she spent a hefty amount of time researching pertinent topics regarding immigration, holding facilities, laws, and the struggle to survive. Central to the book are the relationships of mothers and daughters and the manner in which they connect or disconnect. Oh, the secrets that abound, some better left untold and others that would have provided a healthy balance. There are heartwarming moments and disturbing ones as well. Why the title? I urge you to read and ponder. I look forward to reading more reviews of this novel.
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Judith G. (Ewa Beach, HI)
More a novella than a book
So much to learn while reading this book. From El Salvador to Cuba to Miami. The plight of immigrants trying to find ways to survive. I have been to Cuba (2000) and saw only what the "tourists' were taken to. This book opened my eyes to more of the reality. Poignant and informative even in fiction form.
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Carolyn S. (Kennesaw, GA)
"Of Women and Salt" by Gabriela Garcia
This book is a history of what it means to be a women of Cuban ancestry. It begins in the mid 1800's on the plantations and continues to the near present. It chronicles the intense struggles women faced all along the way. It is of interest to compare the struggles faced by women of color in our own country.
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