“In alternating voices, we learn about the true story of the Swedish feminist activist Fredrika Bremer who, on her travels to Cuba in 1851, journals about the injustices of women. In addition to the viewpoint of Fredricka, we hear from Elena, the Cuban daughter of Fredricka’s host and Cecilia, the young African girl who is assigned to Fredricka as her translator. Each young woman has her own personal story to tell about longings for freedom and these stories are beautifully captured through the author’s free-poetic verse. This is a memorable novel about the social conditions of Cuba, the women’s rights movement, and the power of friendship. ”
