Love And Ghost Letters - Hardcover

Acevedo, Chantel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 031234046X ISBN 13: 9780312340469

Publisher: St Martins Pr, 2005

Synopsis

On the outside, Josefina Navarro’s life seems fortunate enough—she lives with her father and her nursemaid, Regla, who raises her after the death of her mother in a luxurious home in Vedado, one of Cuba’s wealthiest districts. She attends society dances and is courted by all of Havana’s elite young bachelors.  Enchanted by the rituals of her nursemaid, Josefina learns about the profound mysticism inherent in even the most mundane affairs. Though she is pampered, Josefina feels that her life is without passion or excitement. Her father, Sergeant Antonio Navarro, a Spaniard by birth, is a stern and demanding man whose past is a tightly kept secret.
When she meets and marries Lorenzo Concepción, a poor, reckless young man, the sergeant tells her, “So, you have chosen him...and you will be hungry and miserable all your life.” The couple moves to El Cotorro, a poverty-stricken town that is far removed from the Vedado plazas and carefully tended gardens Josefina knew.  Lorenzo begins to leave her for months at a time, “looking for work,” but in reality, womanizing and carousing all over the island.  Even after the birth of two healthy children, Josefina is not happy. This is not the life she had envisioned. 
During a political maelstrom, history brings the sergeant to El Cotorro to quell a riot, where he is attacked and presumed dead.  But perception is reality on an island in which darkness and light commingle, and magic and truth are one in the same. 
When Josefina begins receiving letters from her father, she believes that what she holds are heaven’s missives, ghost letters.  Through the letters, Josefina comes to know her father intimately, as a ghost and guardian, as he reveals the truth about his life.  In the act of writing and reading, she has found a love to fill the empty places in her heart.
Set in Cuba and Miami, covering nearly fifty years of the island’s history, LOVE AND GHOST LETTERS unfolds the lives of the Navarro-Concepción families in the patterns and permutations of memory, and conjures a Cuban setting that evokes mysticism and magic.

About this title

Review

"LOVE AND GHOST LETTERS" is an enchanting novel; a heartfelt story, it tells volumes about the intimate life and loves of a family in pre-Castro "Cuba." Along the way, it captures, beautifully, the atmosphere and emotions of a time which, both Cuban Americans and many an American reader, will find both reminiscent and fulfilling. A great debut." -- Oscar Hijuelos
"ŬAn¨ exceptionally fine first novel.... Acevedo shapes each of her characters with clear-eyed reverence, guiding their steps in measured, lyrical prose that is often breath-taking, exquisite.... And this is the author's genius: the line she walks between fact and fairy tale, history and wistful story, the magic that radiates, naturally, from the quirks and coincidences of daily life and what is (often) too easily celebrated--or dismissed--as otherworldly, supernatural."--A. Manette Ansay for "The ""Chicago"" Tribune" "Acevedo is a fine storyteller.... Ŭ"Love and Ghost Letters"¨ unfolds with a leisurely pleasure that feels like magic realism."--"Christian Science Monitor"
" "
"Acevedo, a first-generation Cuban-American, lyrically illustrates the changing social, economic and political landscape in this tumultuous period in Cuba's history. She has filled her novel with enchanting details, down to the red, white and blue paper roses at that first society dance and the recipes Josefina's nanny concocts to make Lorenzo faithful to his wife."--"Miami"" Herald"
" "
"ŬAcevedo's¨ writing is luscious, painting beautifully tragic pictures. "Love and Ghost Letters" takes a hard look at how closely wedded love and money are, without turning away from the ugliness of social inequality. The magic of the narrative is in the weaving of the personal with the public with such a poetic sensibility and fluidity of style that the reader is completely submerged into the trials of a Cuban family and the contradictions of Cuban society."--"South ""Florida"" Sun-Sentinel"
" "
..."a quirky, charming story of filial love...a distinctly Latin mystique and a style of writing that juxtaposes themysterious and the mundane."--"Miami"" Today"
" "
""Love and Ghost Letters"" is an enchanting novel; a heartfelt story, it tells volumes about the intimate life and loves of a family in pre-Castro ""Cuba."" Along the way, it captures, beautifully, the atmosphere and emotions of a time which, both Cuban Americans and many an American reader, will find both reminiscent and fulfilling. A great debut." --" Oscar Hijuelos, author of "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love: A Novel" and "A Simple Habana Melody"
" [An] exceptionally fine first novel... . Acevedo shapes each of her characters with clear-eyed reverence, guiding their steps in measured, lyrical prose that is often breath-taking, exquisite... . And this is the author's genius: the line she walks between fact and fairy tale, history and wistful story, the magic that radiates, naturally, from the quirks and coincidences of daily life and what is (often) too easily celebrated-- or dismissed-- as otherworldly, supernatural." -- A. Manette Ansay for "The ""Chicago"" Tribune" " Acevedo is a fine storyteller... . ["Love and Ghost Letters"] unfolds with a leisurely pleasure that feels like magic realism." -- "Christian Science Monitor"
" "
" Acevedo, a first-generation Cuban-American, lyrically illustrates the changing social, economic and political landscape in this tumultuous period in Cuba' s history. She has filled her novel with enchanting details, down to the red, white and blue paper roses at that first society dance and the recipes Josefina' s nanny concocts to make Lorenzo faithful to his wife." -- "Miami"" Herald"
" "
" [Acevedo' s] writing is luscious, painting beautifully tragic pictures. "Love and Ghost Letters" takes a hard look at how closely wedded love and money are, without turning away from the ugliness of social inequality. The magic of the narrative is in the weaving of the personal with the public with such a poetic sensibility and fluidity of style that the reader is completely submerged into the trials of a Cuban family and the contradictions of Cuban society." -- "South ""Florida"" Sun-Sentinel"
" "
" ...a quirky, charming story of filial love...a distinctly Latin mystique and a style of writing that juxtaposes the mysterious and the mundane." -- "Miami"" Today"
" "
" "Love and Ghost Letters"" is an enchanting novel; a heartfelt story, it tells volumes about the intimate life and loves of a family in pre-Castro ""Cuba,"" Along the way, it captures, beautifully, the atmosphere and emotions of a time which, both Cuban Americans and many an American reader, will find both reminiscent and fulfilling. A great debut." -- " Oscar Hijuelos, author of "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love: A Novel" and "A Simple Habana Melody"
"[An] exceptionally fine first novel.... Acevedo shapes each of her characters with clear-eyed reverence, guiding their steps in measured, lyrical prose that is often breath-taking, exquisite.... And this is the author's genius: the line she walks between fact and fairy tale, history and wistful story, the magic that radiates, naturally, from the quirks and coincidences of daily life and what is (often) too easily celebrated--or dismissed--as otherworldly, supernatural."--A. Manette Ansay for "The ""Chicago"" Tribune" "Acevedo is a fine storyteller.... ["Love and Ghost Letters"] unfolds with a leisurely pleasure that feels like magic realism."--"Christian Science Monitor"
" "
"Acevedo, a first-generation Cuban-American, lyrically illustrates the changing social, economic and political landscape in this tumultuous period in Cuba's history. She has filled her novel with enchanting details, down to the red, white and blue paper roses at that first society dance and the recipes Josefina's nanny concocts to make Lorenzo faithful to his wife."--"Miami"" Herald"
" "
"[Acevedo's] writing is luscious, painting beautifully tragic pictures. "Love and Ghost Letters" takes a hard look at how closely wedded love and money are, without turning away from the ugliness of social inequality. The magic of the narrative is in the weaving of the personal with the public with such a poetic sensibility and fluidity of style that the reader is completely submerged into the trials of a Cuban family and the contradictions of Cuban society."--"South ""Florida"" Sun-Sentinel"
" "
.,."a quirky, charming story of filial love...a distinctly Latin mystique and a style of writing that juxtaposes themysterious and the mundane."--"Miami"" Today"
" "
""Love and Ghost Letters"" is an enchanting novel; a heartfelt story, it tells volumes about the intimate life and loves of a family in pre-Castro ""Cuba,"" Along the way, it captures, beautifully, the atmosphere and emotions of a time which, both Cuban Americans and many an American reader, will find both reminiscent and fulfilling. A great debut." --" Oscar Hijuelos, author of "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love: A Novel" and "A Simple Habana Melody"
"[An] exceptionally fine first novel . Acevedo shapes each of her characters with clear-eyed reverence, guiding their steps in measured, lyrical prose that is often breath-taking, exquisite . And this is the author's genius: the line she walks between fact and fairy tale, history and wistful story, the magic that radiates, naturally, from the quirks and coincidences of daily life and what is (often) too easily celebrated--or dismissed--as otherworldly, supernatural."--A. Manette Ansay for "The ""Chicago"" Tribune" "Acevedo is a fine storyteller . ["Love and Ghost Letters"] unfolds with a leisurely pleasure that feels like magic realism."--"Christian Science Monitor"
" "
"Acevedo, a first-generation Cuban-American, lyrically illustrates the changing social, economic and political landscape in this tumultuous period in Cuba's history. She has filled her novel with enchanting details, down to the red, white and blue paper roses at that first society dance and the recipes Josefina's nanny concocts to make Lorenzo faithful to his wife."--"Miami"" Herald"
" "
"[Acevedo's] writing is luscious, painting beautifully tragic pictures. "Love and Ghost Letters" takes a hard look at how closely wedded love and money are, without turning away from the ugliness of social inequality. The magic of the narrative is in the weaving of the personal with the public with such a poetic sensibility and fluidity of style that the reader is completely submerged into the trials of a Cuban family and the contradictions of Cuban society."--"South ""Florida"" Sun-Sentinel"
" "
..".a quirky, charming story of filial love...a distinctly Latin mystique and a style of writing that juxtaposes the mysterious and the mundane."--"Miami"" Today"
" "
""Love and Ghost Letters"" is an enchanting novel; a heartfelt story, it tells volumes about the intimate life and loves of a family in pre-Castro ""Cuba"." Along the way, it captures, beautifully, the atmosphere and emotions of a time which, both Cuban Americans and many an American reader, will find both reminiscent and fulfilling. A great debut." --" Oscar Hijuelos, author of "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love: A Novel " and "A Simple Habana Melody"
"

[An] exceptionally fine first novel . Acevedo shapes each of her characters with clear-eyed reverence, guiding their steps in measured, lyrical prose that is often breath-taking, exquisite . And this is the author's genius: the line she walks between fact and fairy tale, history and wistful story, the magic that radiates, naturally, from the quirks and coincidences of daily life and what is (often) too easily celebrated--or dismissed--as otherworldly, supernatural. "A. Manette Ansay for The Chicago Tribune"

Acevedo is a fine storyteller . ["Love and Ghost Letters"] unfolds with a leisurely pleasure that feels like magic realism. "Christian Science Monitor"

Acevedo, a first-generation Cuban-American, lyrically illustrates the changing social, economic and political landscape in this tumultuous period in Cuba's history. She has filled her novel with enchanting details, down to the red, white and blue paper roses at that first society dance and the recipes Josefina's nanny concocts to make Lorenzo faithful to his wife. "Miami Herald"

[Acevedo's] writing is luscious, painting beautifully tragic pictures. "Love and Ghost Letters" takes a hard look at how closely wedded love and money are, without turning away from the ugliness of social inequality. The magic of the narrative is in the weaving of the personal with the public with such a poetic sensibility and fluidity of style that the reader is completely submerged into the trials of a Cuban family and the contradictions of Cuban society. "South Florida Sun-Sentinel"

...a quirky, charming story of filial love...a distinctly Latin mystique and a style of writing that juxtaposes the mysterious and the mundane. "Miami Today"

"Love and Ghost Letters" is an enchanting novel; a heartfelt story, it tells volumes about the intimate life and loves of a family in pre-Castro "Cuba." Along the way, it captures, beautifully, the atmosphere and emotions of a time which, both Cuban Americans and many an American reader, will find both reminiscent and fulfilling. A great debut. "Oscar Hijuelos, author of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love: A Novel and A Simple Habana Melody""

"[An] exceptionally fine first novel.... Acevedo shapes each of her characters with clear-eyed reverence, guiding their steps in measured, lyrical prose that is often breath-taking, exquisite.... And this is the author's genius: the line she walks between fact and fairy tale, history and wistful story, the magic that radiates, naturally, from the quirks and coincidences of daily life and what is (often) too easily celebrated--or dismissed--as otherworldly, supernatural." --A. Manette Ansay for The Chicago Tribune

"Acevedo is a fine storyteller.... [Love and Ghost Letters] unfolds with a leisurely pleasure that feels like magic realism." --Christian Science Monitor

"Acevedo, a first-generation Cuban-American, lyrically illustrates the changing social, economic and political landscape in this tumultuous period in Cuba's history. She has filled her novel with enchanting details, down to the red, white and blue paper roses at that first society dance and the recipes Josefina's nanny concocts to make Lorenzo faithful to his wife." --Miami Herald

"[Acevedo's] writing is luscious, painting beautifully tragic pictures. Love and Ghost Letters takes a hard look at how closely wedded love and money are, without turning away from the ugliness of social inequality. The magic of the narrative is in the weaving of the personal with the public with such a poetic sensibility and fluidity of style that the reader is completely submerged into the trials of a Cuban family and the contradictions of Cuban society." --South Florida Sun-Sentinel

..".a quirky, charming story of filial love...a distinctly Latin mystique and a style of writing that juxtaposes the mysterious and the mundane." --Miami Today

"Love and Ghost Letters is an enchanting novel; a heartfelt story, it tells volumes about the intimate life and loves of a family in pre-Castro Cuba. Along the way, it captures, beautifully, the atmosphere and emotions of a time which, both Cuban Americans and many an American reader, will find both reminiscent and fulfilling. A great debut." --Oscar Hijuelos, author of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love: A Novel and A Simple Habana Melody

About the Author

CHANTEL ACEVEDO is a first generation Cuban-American, whose childhood combined American modernity with traditional Cuban values. She attended the MFA creative writing program at the University of Miami on a James Michener Fellowship. She has won two Fulbright awards for secondary education.

About this edition

• Publisher: St Martins Pr
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 031234046X
• ISBN 13: 9780312340469
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 312