I am also a Cuban-American who was very touched by this story......the feeling of pride and exultation at the resilience and ingenuity of my people....the lump in the throat and sadness at the same time as my spirit soared as I immersed myself in the book. Things I remembered as I read the book: the indomitable spirit of my Cuban grandmother, the music, dancing and singing, the stately royal palms, the legend of Guanaroca. My beautiful hometown, Cienfuegos, "the Pearl of the South". Trinidad, that exquisite centuries old jewel encased in the Escambray Mountains. The smell of guayaba and taste of mamonsillo. The do or die attitute of the guajiros. The sound and beautiful plumage of the tocororo.....El Sabor de Cuba. So many memories held against my heart. This story is the story of every Cuban family. Those who stayed and those who left....and those who have been torn apart.

As a Cuban American, I found this book to be sensitively written. I identified with the characters, learned a little of my native country's history and much about her heritage and culture. I was moved by the plight of the characters,since I know that the story is very close to reality. I recommend this book to anyone wishing to know the truth about Cuba. It is beautifully and imaginatively written, a pleasure to read and experience, as is the author's other novel, Skywriting.