"The Island That Dared" is a passionate book from the pen of Dervla Murphy, which begins with a three-generational family holiday in Cuba. Led by their redoubtable hard-walking grandmother, the trio of young girls and their mother soon find themselves camping out on empty beaches beneath the stars with only crabs and mosquitoes for company. This pure Swallows and Amazons experience confirms Dervla in her quest to understand the unique society that has been created by the Cuban Revolution. She returns again and again to explore the island, investigating the experience of modern Cuba with her particular, candid curiosity. Through her own research and through conversations with Fidelistas and their critics alike, "The Island That Dared" builds a complex picture of a people struggling to retain their identity in the face of insistent hostility, and to stand against the all-but-overwhelming fire-power of capitalism. Whatever the fate of Cuba, "The Island That Dared" beautifully fulfils the role of a great travel book, 'to catch the moment on the wing, and stop it in Time' - Colin Thubron.
Island that Dared: Journeys in Cuba
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In her latest book the tireless Dervla Murphy, still travelling rough in her late seventies, sets out to get to grips with Cuba a place of impulsive friendship and impenetrable bureaucracy. --Telegraph.co.uk<br /><br />There has always been a raw energy about her work that sets her apart from some of her paler contemporaries. Now in her mid-70s, she has written at least 25 books but, judging by this volume she's in no danger of mellowing ... Fierce, highly moral and uncompromising, this is classic Murphy. In an often anodyne world, she remains an original...she is a refreshingly defiant voice, straight-talking and no-nonsense. --Financial Times, November 2008
The three journeys in her latest book are explorations of [Cuba's] change... disquisitions on homophobia, attitudes to AIDS and much else, indicates that at 77, Murphy s status as one of our most respected travel writers shows no sign of weakening. Eland seems a natural home for her. --Geographical, December 2008 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
The three journeys in her latest book are explorations of [Cuba's] change... disquisitions on homophobia, attitudes to AIDS and much else, indicates that at 77, Murphy s status as one of our most respected travel writers shows no sign of weakening. Eland seems a natural home for her. --Geographical, December 2008 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Brian Phelan
Format:Hardcover
Having recently returned from a two week independent tour of Cuba with very mixed feelings about the place I was interested to see the dynamic Dervla was bringing out a book on the island.
The first hundred pages are about her experiences while on a tour of eastern Cuba with her daughter and three grandaughters (the trio as she calls them)which I found all a bit too domestic but then for the following three hundred pages we get vintage Dervla as she returns for two solo trips around the rest of the island.
With her usual scorn for modern conveniences she travels by every clapped out means of transport she can find and when she can't find any she just walks. On route, she meets and talks to scores of ordinary Cubans whose views are reported without fear or favour.
The book is laced with a plentiful supply of historical fact and political polemic. While the authors own sympathies for what she calls Castroism are very evident she nevertheless has plenty of criticism for the regimes failings.
This is the real 'rough guide' to Cuba.
Minor criticisms are the poor illustrations and a number of typo errors but I'll lay them at the door of the publisher as Dervla Murphy is a secular saint(of travellers)in my humble opinion.
If you are interested in Cuba, go and buy it.
The first hundred pages are about her experiences while on a tour of eastern Cuba with her daughter and three grandaughters (the trio as she calls them)which I found all a bit too domestic but then for the following three hundred pages we get vintage Dervla as she returns for two solo trips around the rest of the island.
With her usual scorn for modern conveniences she travels by every clapped out means of transport she can find and when she can't find any she just walks. On route, she meets and talks to scores of ordinary Cubans whose views are reported without fear or favour.
The book is laced with a plentiful supply of historical fact and political polemic. While the authors own sympathies for what she calls Castroism are very evident she nevertheless has plenty of criticism for the regimes failings.
This is the real 'rough guide' to Cuba.
Minor criticisms are the poor illustrations and a number of typo errors but I'll lay them at the door of the publisher as Dervla Murphy is a secular saint(of travellers)in my humble opinion.
If you are interested in Cuba, go and buy it.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Nemesis
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have devoured most of Dervla Murphy's books with great enjoyment. I found this one similar in style to "The Embers of Chaos", her book about the Balkans, in that there is a large amount of historical and political background compared to her usual books - possibly because these two areas require such an analysis due to their complex histories. It made the reading a little heavier than usual, but that's no bad thing.
The book has two sections, the first a charming account of her journey to Cuba with her daughter and granddaughters, the second written after a solo return to the island some months later.
The book does a great job of showing you what life is really like for the average Cuban and reaches past the western anti-Castro propaganda and the green-sea-white-sand sanitized and segregated tourist brochure idyll, presenting a reality that is at odds with and seriously threatened by both of these views.
This is a mature and insightful work of great value. You will not be disappointed.
The book has two sections, the first a charming account of her journey to Cuba with her daughter and granddaughters, the second written after a solo return to the island some months later.
The book does a great job of showing you what life is really like for the average Cuban and reaches past the western anti-Castro propaganda and the green-sea-white-sand sanitized and segregated tourist brochure idyll, presenting a reality that is at odds with and seriously threatened by both of these views.
This is a mature and insightful work of great value. You will not be disappointed.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By E. Smith
Format:Paperback
This is a superb book for anyone who has been to Cuba or who has an interest in Cuba. It is a travelogue but also much more than that.
Dervla Murphy makes considerable effort to understand the context of this complex and unique island, and that involves sections of historical, political and social analysis, as well as straight-forward - and very enjoyable - passages of travel writing. However it is far from a dull read. It is not a lightweight read, granted, but it reads well, and the historical and political aspects that Murphy looks at only serve to add necessary understanding towards what it is that makes Cuba so unique. Murphy does not attempt to sit on the fence in terms of her own views; this might irritate some, but for me it just adds to the charm of her writing. She is an intelligent and forthright woman without guille, and with a heart and a mind open to the everyday people that she meets and describes so well.
Very few people could do Cuba justice in print as well as Murphy has done here. I've read many of her books, and this, for me, stands up as one of her finest.
Dervla Murphy makes considerable effort to understand the context of this complex and unique island, and that involves sections of historical, political and social analysis, as well as straight-forward - and very enjoyable - passages of travel writing. However it is far from a dull read. It is not a lightweight read, granted, but it reads well, and the historical and political aspects that Murphy looks at only serve to add necessary understanding towards what it is that makes Cuba so unique. Murphy does not attempt to sit on the fence in terms of her own views; this might irritate some, but for me it just adds to the charm of her writing. She is an intelligent and forthright woman without guille, and with a heart and a mind open to the everyday people that she meets and describes so well.
Very few people could do Cuba justice in print as well as Murphy has done here. I've read many of her books, and this, for me, stands up as one of her finest.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Waking and shaking inside info on Cuba that we never seem to have heard about truthfully.
Dervla at her very best .
Dervla at her very best .
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By ML
Format:Hardcover
This is a uniquely insightful book. Dervla Murphy's bravery, commitment, and personality enable her to form an intimate engagement with Cuba and its people in ways that very few travellers to that country could meaningfully achieve. The book is also impeccably researched and gives a rich history of Cuba's political, social and cultural contexts. Recently returned from a visit to Cuba, Dervla Murphy's writing was a gift of interpretation that illuminated everything I had observed but had been unable to properly understand while I was there. It made me want to go back there straight away. Whether or not a reader has a prior interest in Cuba, this is a wonderful read, and the Cuban 'experiment' becomes even more interesting and relevant in light of the current global economic crisis.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By S. M. Smith
Format:Paperback
I have now read several of Derlva's books, so am well used to her writing style. Factually, this is a comprehensive history of modern Cuba, mixed with a personal travelogue and a great passion for her subject matter. If you are interested in delving into pre and post revolution Cuba, then this book will give you all the facts you know, whilst painting a picture of the geography and culture of this fascinating island and it's stoical people. My only criticism is that it is a little laboured in parts, but the length of the book is worth the journey of understanding, especially if you have visited Havana or plan to tour the island. Those visitors that choose only to see Varadero get a distorted view of Cuban life.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I visited Cuba in 2008 with a Fairtrade organisation and found it a fascinating place. I only wish I had read this book beforehand as it is so informative. There is plenty of the trademark Dervla Murphy wandering about on her own and bumping into people who provide insights into the contradictions inherent in Cuban society. For me there was a new twist in that daughter Rachel appears complete with grandchildren for part of the book. Dervla Murphy provides succinct and even handed accounts of Cuba's history and gives credit for its enormous achievements. She shows understanding of the less attractive elements explaining how much of this has been in defence of continued harrassment and attack from the USA, without excusing the less defensible. She provides detailed accounts of the US interference. She engages with Fidelistas and the Anti- Castro factions within and without Cuba when she visits Miami. All in all a worthwhile and engaging read from this wonderful author.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flair and Conviction
This was the 1st Dervla Murphy book I have ever read and I am looking forward to reading more of her books in the future. It's part history, travelogue and political analysis. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Mad Geographer
5.0 out of 5 stars
a revelation
Just back from my journey to Cuba, and this is fascinating - very well documented, as well as being full of personal insights and very readable - highly recommended!
Published 2 months ago by mellow funky
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favourite author
I have thoroughly enjoyed Dervla Murphy in Cuba. I particularly like the parts where she travelled with her family. She 'paints' a very clear picture.
Published 3 months ago by M. Webber
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good in parts
I find Dervla refreshing in her determination and I admire the fact that she seems to have simplified her travel needs down to a regular supply of beer! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. J. Slater
3.0 out of 5 stars
The incredible iron woman
I admire Dervla Murphy a lot. She is an amazing woman who can withstand incredible hardships. But I would have found this book difficult to finish, if it wasn't for the fact that... Read more
Published 4 months ago by SueBlue
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read!
Yet another great read from one of the world's best travel writers/human-race observer. An interesting insight into Cuba's people, their pride and their dogged insistence that not... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Westcorkman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for any visitor to Cuba
The writer gives a very balanced personal report on Cuba. I read it while there and so it was extremely informative. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Gill
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not sure what this was meant to be
I have read a number of Dervla Murphy's books and, until now, I have always enjoyed them. I had expected a travel book, but what I found was a strange mixture of travelogue and... Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2010 by Marand
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great mix of personal account and political history
I have devoured most of Dervla Murphy's books with great enjoyment. I found this one similar in style to "The Embers of Chaos", her book about the Balkans, in that there is a large... Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2010 by Nemesis
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