In this book, Maurizio Giuliano has been able to collect material which may otherwise have been destroyed, on the secret tensions and divergencies among Cuba's political élites. It is the first time that this type of documents are published, enabling scholars and others to know more on this delicate issue. The stories of repression against Cuba's dissidents are no news, but the repression and internal purges within the élites are something very different, which can indeed tell us a lot about the prospects for change in Cuba 'from within'. This book therefore does a marvelous job. It constitutes an extremely valuable source, as well as fascinating reading with extremely astute intepretations and observations.

This is of course an academic book, filled with information and data from secret documents which the author managed to obtain from unknown sources. It offers an analysis of the events it describes, as well as a lot of reflexions and interpretations. Yet, at the same time this is a 'human story', of women and men (perhaps special women and men, but still human beings) in today's Cuba. The book tells of their struggle in Castro's Cuba, to achieve or to maintain their own little niches of freedom within the regime. The book is not only interesting, but also fascinating to read, and makes excellent reading for all.

An absolute must for anyone studying Cuba or communism in general. This book provides a fascinating account of the unknown secret struggles within Cuba's political élites. Thanks to classified documents he was able to obtain, this author - a young and promising Oxford and Cambridge graduate - puts us into the picture of the delicate and intricate power games at the regime's peaks. Thrilling throughout all its pages, and very easy to read.

Sólo quiero dar unas palabras de grande aprecio para este trabajo fantástico de Jorge Edwards, gran escritor quién considero el más grande escritor chileno en vida, y a quién tengo el placer de conocer personalmente. Esta novela, muy fácil de leer, con prosa excelente y ritmo de gran suspance, nos trae de vuelta a la tensión de la guerra fría, entre la Alemania de Hönecker y el Chile de Pinochet. Para mí que en esa época ni había nacido es un cuento memorable. Se lo aconsejo a todos !

Jorge Edwards is a renowned Chilean author. In this book - for which he was awarded the Cervantes Prize, the most important prize of Spain - he combines the still virulent story of a returning exilee with the life of Joaquín Toesca, the Italian-turned-Chilean who constructed half Santiago's centre, including the Cathedral.

This book tells us about the aftermaths of a dictatorship and the different paths people take afterwards. It is well written. But it also needs a certain understanding of Chilean history to be fully appreciated.

Then again, this is simply good literature. Enjoy.

LAs primeras 100 páginas de este libro de relatos son valiosas, después comienzan las repeticiones sin cese del mismo tema.

Sin embargo, estas primeras 100 páginas son de una tal calidad que bien vale leer esta colección de artículos.

Imprescindible para periodistas.