Enduring Cuba (Travel Literature)
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...Lonely Planet, the intrepid traveler's bible...' --Los Angeles Times, April 2005
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Intrigued by the many disparate views of Cuba, Zoe Bran visits this country of contradictions. Interweaving history and current events, personal and wider viewpoints, she paints a vivid and compelling picture of contemporary Cuba.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book within a month of returning from a trip to Cuba (also as a solo female) and found that many of my experiences matched those of the author with one major difference, she chose to fear them rather than embrace them. She appears to have a negative mindset from the outset, which colours her view of things and,I fear, may unfairly influence those who haven't visited themselves.
By all means read the book for a good insight into Cuba but bear in mind its missing much of the positive experiences that can be gained from a visit to the country. It largely ignores two major factors, most importantly, the joy d'vivre of the Cubans despite, or maybe because of, their economic hardships; and secondly, the life enhancing experinece that can be found in embracing the country's lack of commercialism and focus on simple pleasures in life such as music, landscape and human interaction.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a really fascinating read. It was good to pick up a book that wasn't all salsa and rum. Cuba is one of the world's last dictatorships and Bran doesn't hesitate to get involved with the lives of ordinary Cuban's, questioning, digging and finally stripping away the layers of courtesy and smiles to reveal the private hell that many Cuban's live in today as a result of Castro's political ideology and US spite. There's blood and magic too, as the reader is taken through a private Santeria ceremony in the remote south east of the island. Bran's grasp of history is excellent; there's Mafia, Hemingway and conquistador's - this is a great way to get a grip on what came before Castro and Che Guevara. You feel you're seeing with Bran as she travels from one end of the island to the other meeting taxi drivers, nurses, artists, writers and ex pats. But this is not just a travel book, thought and skill have gone into the actual writing which is often quite beautiful and raises Enduring Cuba above the ordinary run of travel books. Highly recommended.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I visited Cuba before I read this. I was backpacking with a friend from Peru so I feel I have a certain knowledge of the country. I did not like this book. First of all I found it quite boring and it was a struggle at times to keep going. It improved towards the end and does provide some food for thought but overall the whole book is told in such a dull, dreary, depressing manner. Also I found the author a bit arrogant and aloof at times. Cuba is a unique country in the world and has many very good things going for it (especially comparing it to other Latin American countries) and very bad things e.g. the day-today struggle of the people but it is a fascinating place nonetheless. There is just no excuse for the book to be boring. It was as if her writing style had to mirror her perceived struggle of the people. Not a travel book, not a good analysis of the political situation - didn't achieve at any level. Some food for thought and that's it. I could do better myself.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A miscellany of first impressions of Cuba
This Cuba travelogue contains a mix of historical notes, interviews, descriptions of towns and journeys, and anecdotes about chance meetings. Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2009 by Geoff Parkes
A superb mix of comment and description
While criticised by some readers for negativity, the preface to this book makes clear that, on the contrary, its author travelled to Cuba with an essentially positive view of the... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by Mr. Andrew J. R. West
More than just food for thought
I read this book while working in Key West - an island which generates a lot of currency from its proximity to Cuba. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2007 by Jeremy Fenn-Smith
tedious in parts
I sympathise with the reviewer who wrote 'enduring this book'! Yes it was a bit dry and serious. But it also had some really interesting observations, and I think it's worth... Read more
Published on 3 April 2005 by musiclover
An excellent read!
I found this book really interesting. Having been to Cuba I felt this book conveyed a side of life that I was unable to see or join in with as a tourist, but that I got glimpses... Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2004
Introducing a little known country
I expected a more pleasant book than this, I thought it would be 'light reading'. This book is about a country though, not an all-inclusive holiday destination. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2002
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