Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia - Book Reviews

Book club rating - 3.3/5

Rating 4/5

Set in Cuba and the borders with Mexico and America, and covering three generations, the story gradually reveals the secrets of the past. Maria's decision of killing her husband, to protect herself and her children, resulted in destruction of her daughter Carmen's world and ultimately lack of trust, destroyed the relationship with Carmen and her daughter, Lorraine. The impact of these broken relationships ultimately led to the addiction personality and overdose by Lorraine. The novel highlighted the horrendous violence and poverty forcing women to try to escape from Cuba. In focusing on detention centres and children risking lives floating across a muddy river border, it highlighted the negative and inhumane approach from America towards these refugees. Not an easy subject, we have to face this terrible history and I guess in the title, ‘Salt’ demonstrates the strength required to survive these stages of crumbling existence.