The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN CUBA by Chanel Cleeton is an historical and fictionalized account of three women during the 1896-1898 Cuban revolution, and the prelude to the Spanish-American war. Told from three first person perspectives- twenty five year old American journalist, Grace Harrington, Cuban courier/ revolutionary Marina Sandoval, and nineteen year old, Cuban heiress Evangelina Cisneros, following three intersecting paths THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN CUBA takes liberty with historical fact blending fiction into a story line where three women will change the course of history. Based in fact, Cuban heiress Evangelina Cisneros, the niece of the former president of the Cuban Republic, is imprisoned on trumped up charges for refusing the advances of Colonel Berriz. Hoping to secure the release of her father, Evangelina finds herself caught between Berriz and prison, opting for prison as the lesser of two evils. When American newspaper giant William Hearst hears of our heroine’s plight, he sets into motion a rescue mission that will change the course of history, rescuing a woman he comes to call The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba. Meanwhile, Marina Sandoval, and her husband Mateo are sympathetic to the revolutionary cause but shortly after Mateo leaves to fight on the front lines, Marina, her daughter Isabella, and her mother-in-law Luz, are sent to a reconcentration camp, where Marina and her family will struggle to survive. Cleaning laundry for the rich and powerful, Marina will quickly discover that she is of more use as a messenger, couriering important documents and notes for the people working to help make a better Cuba. One of Marina’s final acts of defiance is to courier notes between Evangelina and the revolutionary sympathisers, as they prepare to rescue the imprisoned heiress. Back in America, twenty-five year old journalist Grace Harrington, desperate to work for Joseph Pulitzer, reluctantly agrees to spy on William Hearst, Pulitzer’s competition in the world of journalism, a task that involves working for Hearst, and researching the events in the Republic of Cuba. As the revolution in Cuba begins to take on a life of its’ own, Grace finds herself up close and personal with sympathetic supporters in America, supporters that will soon include the man with whom she will fall in love. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN CUBA is a complex, detailed, revealing and intriguing story blending fact and fiction into a romanticized version of revolutionary events. Chanel Cleeton reveals some of the atrocities that the prisoners and those in the reconcentration camps had to endure, including the rampant disease and deaths for those struggling to survive. The premise was real and inviting; the characters were sympathetic and captivating. An entertaining and powerful story, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN CUBA is a fascinating and sensational tale of tragedy and survival.

I must confess other than knowing where it is on the map and the lore of their famous cigars, I am woefully ignorant about Cuba, Cuban history, and Cuban culture. I wore Mr. Google out while I read this tome and was astounded at how much of this story was actually true or based on true events. The author must have researched thousands of hours and brought history to life. She often walked a fine line to avoid being overwrought, as there was agony in every character’s storyline, so - much - agony. This was an informative as well as a challenging read for me and she implanted me so deeply within the narrative, I was struggling along with the characters. There was no shortage of despair, fear, misery, abuse, deprivation, and horrific conditions. The writing was highly descriptive as well as emotive and heart-squeezing and was intermittently paced yet quite eventful and busy. I need a spa day and a vat of wine to recover.