Reader Reviews

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Mary O. (Siasconset, MA)

Excellent debut novel
A fascinating story of mother/daughter relationships amidst the backdrop of Cuba and Florida. So engrossing and hard to put down!

Mary L. (Greeley, CO)

Women--Cuba, Generations, Immigration
If you want to enter the hearts of several generations of women, starting in Cuba an moving to Miami you will want to read this book. While not long in length, the story that unfolds through the voices of these women is unforgettable and one that leave you haunted. "We are force" indeed.

Karna B. (Long Beach, CA)

Of Women and Salt
This debut novel is a must read! From the cigar factories in Cuba to the streets of Miami, Garcia's writing compels the reader to encounter the lived experiences of each of the female protagonists. Immigration and detention, poverty, isolation, drug and/or marital abuse, and mother/daughter relationships are predominant themes. While at times difficult to savor due to the traumas experienced by each of the females portrayed, this timely book should be on everyone's reading list.

Ann W. (New York, NY)

First person: Plural
Well crafted stories, cinematic framework. Collective voices, with misdirection. Cuban female perspectives begin in slavery in colonial Cuban and continue to present.

Margot P. (Mandeville, LA)

We Are Force
These words, written in the margin of a page in a Spanish first edition of Les Miserables, define the nine characters of this short, rich novel. Each chapter is more like a self contained short story with just enough links to add power and meaning to the next. So much is covered in 200 pages: civil wars in Cuba, Salvadoran emigration, addiction, molestation, and very complex mother daughter relationships. Yet, the novel never feels crowded or overwhelming. It's sad, violent, but dotted with glimmers of hope. I actually liked Of Women and Salt better than American Dirt which was one of my favorites of the year.

Amy W. (Annapolis, MD)

Short Stories told together
I really enjoyed this book even though it was not a linear novel. Usually I do not like books that jump around in both points of view and time periods but the author made this one work. I enjoyed each snippet of each person's story. Just enough information was provided to hold my interest, keep the story together, and provide a backdrop of Cuba that made me want to learn more. I would recommend this book.

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