... both a hard-earned love story and a visceral account of history. Cleeton’s writing pulsates with passion and intimacy, even as she gives us a panoramic vision of life during that tumultuous era. She’s long since established herself as a remarkable writer, but with When We Left Cuba, she’s written with a sublime force that keeps us tethered to her words.
An edifying, entertaining read filled with adventure, suspense, history and romance, When We Left Cuba is a thought-provoking look at the ways in which politics can be intensely personal.
... gripping ... The romance is beautifully written, and the spy story feels authentic. The reader will experience Bay of Pigs (the failed attempt to oust Castro from Cuba) and wonder who exactly was to blame for the horrible disaster. There is a cautionary tale here as well: Be careful what you wish for ... Those not previously informed about what happened in Cuba’s history will find When We Left Cuba to be an enlightening read as well as an emotional one.
Cleeton will break hearts with this exquisitely wrought tale ... Cleeton’s twisting, intricate plot of love and revenge takes Beatriz to such locations as Harlem and London (where she faces off with a trained Cuban intelligence officer) and finally to a potentially deadly meeting with Castro in Cuba. Tiny glimpses of the present day are woven throughout the novel, giving readers hints of what became of two idealistic souls. This is a beautiful and utterly transporting novel.
