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The Book of Lost Saints: A Cuban American Family Saga of Love, Betrayal, and Revolution
An evocative multigenerational Cuban American family story of revolution, loss, violence, and family bonds
Marisol vanished during the Cuban Revolution, her fate unknown and lost to time. Now, haunted by atrocities long-forgotten, her foul-mouthed spirit visits her nephew, Ramon, in modern-day New Jersey. Her hope: That her presence will prompt her descendant to unearth their painful family history.
Ramon launches a haphazard investigation into the story of his ancestor, unaware of the forces driving him on his search. Along the way, he falls in love, discovers a new sense of his own identity, faces a run-in with a murderous gangster, and learns of each "lost saint" who helped Marisol during her imprisonment under Batista's reign.
Uplifting and evocative, The Book of Lost Saints is a meditation on family, forgiveness, and the violent struggle to be free.
Marisol vanished during the Cuban Revolution, her fate unknown and lost to time. Now, haunted by atrocities long-forgotten, her foul-mouthed spirit visits her nephew, Ramon, in modern-day New Jersey. Her hope: That her presence will prompt her descendant to unearth their painful family history.
Ramon launches a haphazard investigation into the story of his ancestor, unaware of the forces driving him on his search. Along the way, he falls in love, discovers a new sense of his own identity, faces a run-in with a murderous gangster, and learns of each "lost saint" who helped Marisol during her imprisonment under Batista's reign.
Uplifting and evocative, The Book of Lost Saints is a meditation on family, forgiveness, and the violent struggle to be free.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2019
201 people are currently reading
8910 people want to read
About the author
Daniel José Older
128 books1,965 followersDaniel José Older is the New York Times bestselling author of the Young Adult series the Shadowshaper Cypher (Scholastic), the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series (Penguin), and the upcoming Middle Grade sci-fi adventure Flood City (Scholastic). He won the International Latino Book Award and has been nominated for the Kirkus Prize, the Mythopoeic Award, the Locus Award, the Andre Norton Award, and yes, the World Fantasy Award. Shadowshaper was named one of Esquire’s 80 Books Every Person Should Read. You can find his thoughts on writing, read dispatches from his decade-long career as an NYC paramedic and hear his music at http://danieljoseolder.net/, on youtube and @djolder on twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
August 30, 2019
The Book of Lost Saints is a mesmerizing book that sucked me deep into the heart of a story that brought forth a world of emotions inside me that I’m still trying to process. Told in a 3rd person omnipresent point of view, this novel follows Ramón as he continually receives messages from a long lost tía who vanished without a trace after the Cuban revolution. As he gets glimpses of her rocky past in Cuba, he feels compelled to investigate to see what happened to her while also learning more about his Cuban roots.
At first, it was difficult to get sucked into the story considering it’s narrated by Marisol looking over Ramón, and as someone who doesn’t necessarily enjoy 3rd person, it took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, I was completely invested in the story full of Cuban culture, slang, and Spanish sayings that weren’t italicized, which others the language, in my opinion. It was so refreshing to see phrases that my family said in a book written into the narrative so effortlessly that it felt like I was coming home while reading a story.
Not only were we able to explore Ramón’s life in New Jersey but we also got to see him explore Cuba for the first time which always hits me in the heart because I’ve never seen the island, so reading about the vivid descriptions and Ramón’s feelings as he explores an island he’s only heard about in stories really impacted me and made me long to see the island myself, one day.
This story is about being Cuban, familial ties, exploring your culture, and also the trauma Cubans have faced that gets carried down generations. The Book of Lost Saints represented the pain and loss deep in my heart as a Cuban and also taught me new information about the Cuban revolution that I didn’t know about. This is such an important and validating books for Cuban readers and also for other readers who want a vivid, fantastical historical fiction. I cannot recommend it enough.
At first, it was difficult to get sucked into the story considering it’s narrated by Marisol looking over Ramón, and as someone who doesn’t necessarily enjoy 3rd person, it took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, I was completely invested in the story full of Cuban culture, slang, and Spanish sayings that weren’t italicized, which others the language, in my opinion. It was so refreshing to see phrases that my family said in a book written into the narrative so effortlessly that it felt like I was coming home while reading a story.
Not only were we able to explore Ramón’s life in New Jersey but we also got to see him explore Cuba for the first time which always hits me in the heart because I’ve never seen the island, so reading about the vivid descriptions and Ramón’s feelings as he explores an island he’s only heard about in stories really impacted me and made me long to see the island myself, one day.
This story is about being Cuban, familial ties, exploring your culture, and also the trauma Cubans have faced that gets carried down generations. The Book of Lost Saints represented the pain and loss deep in my heart as a Cuban and also taught me new information about the Cuban revolution that I didn’t know about. This is such an important and validating books for Cuban readers and also for other readers who want a vivid, fantastical historical fiction. I cannot recommend it enough.
January 1, 2020
Revolution asks that its children put not only their own lives on the line, but the lives of all their friends and loved ones as well. It's a wide, sweeping trap, an ever-yawning crevice in the earth.
I don't think this book could feel more personal if I had written it myself. I am half convinced Older pried this story from the hearts of Cuban-Americans to lay bare for the rest of the world to see. It is a love letter, a haunting, and utterly unforgettable.
Ramón and Marisol's journey left me at once both broken and healed. I am nothing but raw emotion. If you want a story filled with love, loss, hardship, and horror, then you absolutely need The Book of Lost Saints.
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January 23, 2020AMERIE’S BOOK CLUB | JANUARY 2020 SELECTION
This family saga and modern ghost story takes place during the Cuban revolution and in present day NYC/NJ. It is striking in its honest and brutal depiction of violence, but reveals equal, if not more, passion for depicting resilience and hope. At times funny and at times somber, I couldn't stop turning the pages, waiting to learn more about Marisol and Ramón's intertwined past and present. Pick up this family saga/mystery ghost story and join me AND @danieljose1 at the end of the month for the IGlive chat!
📚
#AmeriesBookClub #ReadwithAmerie #ABC #TheBookofLostSaints @ameriesbookclub
This family saga and modern ghost story takes place during the Cuban revolution and in present day NYC/NJ. It is striking in its honest and brutal depiction of violence, but reveals equal, if not more, passion for depicting resilience and hope. At times funny and at times somber, I couldn't stop turning the pages, waiting to learn more about Marisol and Ramón's intertwined past and present. Pick up this family saga/mystery ghost story and join me AND @danieljose1 at the end of the month for the IGlive chat!
📚
#AmeriesBookClub #ReadwithAmerie #ABC #TheBookofLostSaints @ameriesbookclub
September 20, 2019
The Book of Lost Saints is a Cuban family story with a heart firmly planted in the world of magical realism. Ramón, one of two central characters, is a hospital security guard by day and an exceptionally talented DJ by night. The other central character is Marisol, an aunt Ramón never met, but whose spirit is now haunting his dreams. Marisol disappeared in the aftermath of the Cuban revolution, and now she wants Ramón to uncover her story to put her spirit at peace. Doing this, however, is a singularly difficult task for Ramón, because it becomes clear that his mother, Nilda, played a key role in Marisol's fate.
The entire book is told in Marisol's spirit's voice, which takes some getting used to at first, but works quite well. Marisol's spirit has forgotten much of her own story, so not only do we share Ramón's efforts to uncover the truth, we share Marisol's struggles to understand and accept the life she cannot remember.
The dialogue is particularly well-written, making use of Cubanismos in ways that keep them accessible for those who don't speak Spanish, as well as for those who do.
This book offers an interesting, critical perspective on pre- and post-revolutionary Cuba, which carries into the present, as Ramón travels to the island in search of more details of his aunt's story. The U.S. cast members include a variety of Cuban Americans whose attitudes about their former homeland vary widely—so even though Marisol is narrating, the reader always has access to multiple perspectives.
The Book of Lost Saints should prove a satisfying read for a variety of readers: lovers of magical realism, fans of Latin American/Caribbean literature, and those who enjoy novels about families coming to terms with one another.
I received a free electronic ARC of this book for review purposes. The opinions are my own.
The entire book is told in Marisol's spirit's voice, which takes some getting used to at first, but works quite well. Marisol's spirit has forgotten much of her own story, so not only do we share Ramón's efforts to uncover the truth, we share Marisol's struggles to understand and accept the life she cannot remember.
The dialogue is particularly well-written, making use of Cubanismos in ways that keep them accessible for those who don't speak Spanish, as well as for those who do.
This book offers an interesting, critical perspective on pre- and post-revolutionary Cuba, which carries into the present, as Ramón travels to the island in search of more details of his aunt's story. The U.S. cast members include a variety of Cuban Americans whose attitudes about their former homeland vary widely—so even though Marisol is narrating, the reader always has access to multiple perspectives.
The Book of Lost Saints should prove a satisfying read for a variety of readers: lovers of magical realism, fans of Latin American/Caribbean literature, and those who enjoy novels about families coming to terms with one another.
I received a free electronic ARC of this book for review purposes. The opinions are my own.
February 9, 2020
I wanted to read this book after learning it was about a Cuban woman who disappeared during the revolution. My family is Cuban and I had been looking for stories with Cuban protagonists; and I can say, that it did not disappoint (mostly; the sex scenes were little cringey, but that's just me).
The mystery as to what happened to Marisol kept me going; I wanted to know what happened to her. How did she die? We later learn that her disappearance is not that straight forward. Her nephew Ramon struggles to piece together the mysterious amidst contemporary issues in his own life and the misfortune brought upon by an opportunistic crime lord. Where the book really shines is the descriptions of Marisol's suffering and hiding and her conversations with a fellow priest who keeps her going. Through it all, we see how the political climate of Cuba has changed (remained?) and what life is like there then and now. Older's prose is also remarkable, improved from when I read his YA book, although that may be just because this book is adult fiction and both categories will always have different kinds of writing.
Family is the constant theme of the book, even some of the supporting cast like Ramon's girlfriend Aliceana and his friend Alina have some brief connections with family mentioned. Ultimately, The Book of Lost Saints is about the trauma of the Cuban people and how this trauma both haunts and mystifies their families especially with later generations. It causes anger and sadness which we see whenever Marisol tries to remember her sister who is Ramon's mother.
We learn that saints are made everyday and will continue on. The ending made me very hopeful. I cried tears of joy when I read it; a book hasn't done that to me in a LLOOOONNG time.
One of my favorites!
The mystery as to what happened to Marisol kept me going; I wanted to know what happened to her. How did she die? We later learn that her disappearance is not that straight forward. Her nephew Ramon struggles to piece together the mysterious amidst contemporary issues in his own life and the misfortune brought upon by an opportunistic crime lord. Where the book really shines is the descriptions of Marisol's suffering and hiding and her conversations with a fellow priest who keeps her going. Through it all, we see how the political climate of Cuba has changed (remained?) and what life is like there then and now. Older's prose is also remarkable, improved from when I read his YA book, although that may be just because this book is adult fiction and both categories will always have different kinds of writing.
Family is the constant theme of the book, even some of the supporting cast like Ramon's girlfriend Aliceana and his friend Alina have some brief connections with family mentioned. Ultimately, The Book of Lost Saints is about the trauma of the Cuban people and how this trauma both haunts and mystifies their families especially with later generations. It causes anger and sadness which we see whenever Marisol tries to remember her sister who is Ramon's mother.
We learn that saints are made everyday and will continue on. The ending made me very hopeful. I cried tears of joy when I read it; a book hasn't done that to me in a LLOOOONNG time.
One of my favorites!
February 11, 2022
“¡Me cago en los santos, coño!”
August 28, 2019
4-4.5 stars
Wow, what an ending! This was no an easy book to read, partly because it was hard to figure out what was going on at the beginning, and partly because of the subject matter. This book covers the time surrounding the Cuban Revolution and moves towards the present where Ramon is being visited by the spirit and memories of his dead aunt Marisol as they both try to figure out what happened to her. This was a subject that I didn't know much about and like all war zones/dictatorships, it was a brutal, violent, and unfair time, and the struggles of the people continue to this day. The abuse and violence was particularly tough to read about, but I think it was also important to the story. There were times when I would get lost about the situation, but overall, I felt the author did an amazing job weaving together the past and the present. There were so many elements I loved about this book, and I only wish I could hear some of the music that Ramon put together, especially with the orchestra! This book took me awhile to get through because I wanted to read it slowly and let some of the events sit in my head. But I suspect if I had had the time, I could have sat down and read it in a couple of settings, with a different impact. As it was, I finished the last 60% in two sittings because once I hit that 50% mark, I wanted to know what happened! For anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a bit of mysticism and mystery, and doesn't mind some sex and violence, I would recommend this book.
Thanks to #NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what an ending! This was no an easy book to read, partly because it was hard to figure out what was going on at the beginning, and partly because of the subject matter. This book covers the time surrounding the Cuban Revolution and moves towards the present where Ramon is being visited by the spirit and memories of his dead aunt Marisol as they both try to figure out what happened to her. This was a subject that I didn't know much about and like all war zones/dictatorships, it was a brutal, violent, and unfair time, and the struggles of the people continue to this day. The abuse and violence was particularly tough to read about, but I think it was also important to the story. There were times when I would get lost about the situation, but overall, I felt the author did an amazing job weaving together the past and the present. There were so many elements I loved about this book, and I only wish I could hear some of the music that Ramon put together, especially with the orchestra! This book took me awhile to get through because I wanted to read it slowly and let some of the events sit in my head. But I suspect if I had had the time, I could have sat down and read it in a couple of settings, with a different impact. As it was, I finished the last 60% in two sittings because once I hit that 50% mark, I wanted to know what happened! For anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a bit of mysticism and mystery, and doesn't mind some sex and violence, I would recommend this book.
Thanks to #NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2020
DNFed at 24%
The description of the story made me very curios, since I am not reading that many books on history. I wanted to discover more about Cuba about revolution. I really wanted to understand the characters.
The first thing that put me off was the writing style. I am not a native English speaker, so if I read books in English I have to concentrate more in order to follow up with the story. The writing style was so confusing that I kept on forgetting that it was actually the ghost telling the story and not Ramon.
I read 24% of the book, and I really tried hard not to stop reading it. Every time I put it down for few hours I couldn't recollect what was happening after picking up the book again.
Additionally, I am not sure if it is only in e-book format, or also in physical format, but there was no translation from Spanish. Sometimes the dialog would have some deep meaning and I am supposed to feel something, but i simply could not understand, what the characters were saying.
I haven't fallen in love with any of the characters within these 24%, I haven't understood what has driven Ramon so hard to be invested in his aunt's death. The only character I actually liked was the girl who lived in the apartment with Ramon. That was it.
I believe that this book is very meaningful and important. I just couldn't make it till the end!
The description of the story made me very curios, since I am not reading that many books on history. I wanted to discover more about Cuba about revolution. I really wanted to understand the characters.
The first thing that put me off was the writing style. I am not a native English speaker, so if I read books in English I have to concentrate more in order to follow up with the story. The writing style was so confusing that I kept on forgetting that it was actually the ghost telling the story and not Ramon.
I read 24% of the book, and I really tried hard not to stop reading it. Every time I put it down for few hours I couldn't recollect what was happening after picking up the book again.
Additionally, I am not sure if it is only in e-book format, or also in physical format, but there was no translation from Spanish. Sometimes the dialog would have some deep meaning and I am supposed to feel something, but i simply could not understand, what the characters were saying.
I haven't fallen in love with any of the characters within these 24%, I haven't understood what has driven Ramon so hard to be invested in his aunt's death. The only character I actually liked was the girl who lived in the apartment with Ramon. That was it.
I believe that this book is very meaningful and important. I just couldn't make it till the end!
November 11, 2019
There are some things which you are likely to encounter in a DJO book. There will be music. There will be complex family stuff (stuff: dynamics, relationships, magical legacies). There will probably be a medical professional. Politics will likely play a part. And a ghost.
The Book of Lost Saints has all of these, and yet it is an entirely different work from Older's previous. It is a mix of magical realism, urban fantasy, historical fiction, multi-generational family drama. The horror here is not the supernatural kind Older has employed in the past. This time, it's the horror of very real human behavior and history. It may be his best work to date.
This is a book that deals with the two ways a revolution can fail, both experienced, sequentially, in Cuba. The first being the revolution that succeeds and becomes a version of what it aimed to topple, and the second being the revolution that flat out fails. It deals with how families (one central family, but also some other tangential families) deal with those historical events. Those who take them on, those who avoid and deny.
It's really good. You should read it.
The Book of Lost Saints has all of these, and yet it is an entirely different work from Older's previous. It is a mix of magical realism, urban fantasy, historical fiction, multi-generational family drama. The horror here is not the supernatural kind Older has employed in the past. This time, it's the horror of very real human behavior and history. It may be his best work to date.
This is a book that deals with the two ways a revolution can fail, both experienced, sequentially, in Cuba. The first being the revolution that succeeds and becomes a version of what it aimed to topple, and the second being the revolution that flat out fails. It deals with how families (one central family, but also some other tangential families) deal with those historical events. Those who take them on, those who avoid and deny.
It's really good. You should read it.
October 9, 2020
Una gran y hermosa obra, a great and beautiful work. If I could give this book TEN stars, I would. Powerful. Gut-wrenching. Uplifting. Haunting, in both chilling and sublime ways. Magical, both literally and figuratively. Life-affirmative. Unforgettable.
November 5, 2019
-So if you ever wonder what we, the disappeared, dream of in our darkest hours, know that it is you: those who remain- Marisol.
Daniel Jose Older has delivered a story of a family, secrets, revolution, betrayal, survival, loss and love.
Marisol vanished in the days following the Cuban revolution; now a part of her has returned to uncover what really happened to her. With a bond that transcends the physical, Marisol uses a loved one to search for the truth.
History: shared, owned, hated or forgotten never truly leaves, and in The Book of Lost Saints, Older portrays just how strong history can be, how far forward it can reach and how bound we are by it.
Memory and a shared history are the building blocks that bring this story to life; dreams and signs are tools of communication and the love of family crosses the sea and back to an ending that touched the heart.
There is only one thing that I could not see past in this book, whether author did what he did. Because Cuba....if you know, you know.
Daniel Jose Older has delivered a story of a family, secrets, revolution, betrayal, survival, loss and love.
Marisol vanished in the days following the Cuban revolution; now a part of her has returned to uncover what really happened to her. With a bond that transcends the physical, Marisol uses a loved one to search for the truth.
History: shared, owned, hated or forgotten never truly leaves, and in The Book of Lost Saints, Older portrays just how strong history can be, how far forward it can reach and how bound we are by it.
Memory and a shared history are the building blocks that bring this story to life; dreams and signs are tools of communication and the love of family crosses the sea and back to an ending that touched the heart.
There is only one thing that I could not see past in this book, whether author did what he did. Because Cuba....if you know, you know.
November 20, 2025
CWs: torture, implied rape, homophobic violence, racism
November 23, 2019
Hands down the best novel I've read all year. Daniel José Older's The Book of Lost Saints reinvents the diasporic family saga, pivoting its perspective not only to the displaced but to the very souls of those already lost to the living.
March 29, 2022
Very, VERY rarely do I abandon a book unfinished because there’s always the chance it can turn around into something great. I tried very hard with this one because I’ve heard so many great things about it and I mean, hello, that gorgeous cover! But the format of it just didn’t work for me and I really struggled with it. It had me so confused and I had no idea what was going on at all even almost halfway through. That’s when I decided to just let it go because it was truly making my head hurt trying to keep it all straight. The idea of the story really does sound great but I so wish it had been in another format because I’m sure I would have loved it if I had been able to grasp it.
June 24, 2020
(Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This does not impact my review which is honest and unbiased).
TW: Torture
The Book of Lost Saint and I had a roller coaster relationship. At the beginning, I was so confused and not sure at all where the book was going, and then in the middle I was beginning to catch up, and then the revelations of the ending 10-15 chapters had me captivated. Told from Marisol's perspective, I loved the way Older integrates memories of Marisol growing up and in Cuba, with Ramon's daily life. It almost felt self-reflective, and I grew to really love Marisol's perspective. While there were almost secrets she was keeping from herself, Marisol was a fascinating character. Impassioned by her sister and looking at Ramon's life, I almost began to wonder how we see ourselves. Ramon's POV, in my guess, gives The Book of Lost Saints a point of change. How much has really changed in the struggles of identity especially for those who have left Cuba. How much of our home remains with us? The warring struggles of home and homeland. How does that filter to younger generations? Remain with us, as ghosts and skeletons.
The Book of Lost Saints is one of those books that is written wonderfully because of all these touches. Marisol's POV, as a whole, and presenting this conflict between Marisol's actions and Ramon's life. While Ramon was a main character in The Book of Lost Saints, I don't really ever feel like I got a good sense of Ramon, not like Marisol. Overall, The Book of Lost Saints is full of mystery, sacrifice, revolution, and family. I basically loved all the scenes of Marisol's memories because we can see this struggle between resistance, expression, and survival. For each of us, our limits and willingness to sacrifice is different. It's also a book about journeys. And there were a few passages that have stuck with me after reading.
TW: Torture
The Book of Lost Saint and I had a roller coaster relationship. At the beginning, I was so confused and not sure at all where the book was going, and then in the middle I was beginning to catch up, and then the revelations of the ending 10-15 chapters had me captivated. Told from Marisol's perspective, I loved the way Older integrates memories of Marisol growing up and in Cuba, with Ramon's daily life. It almost felt self-reflective, and I grew to really love Marisol's perspective. While there were almost secrets she was keeping from herself, Marisol was a fascinating character. Impassioned by her sister and looking at Ramon's life, I almost began to wonder how we see ourselves. Ramon's POV, in my guess, gives The Book of Lost Saints a point of change. How much has really changed in the struggles of identity especially for those who have left Cuba. How much of our home remains with us? The warring struggles of home and homeland. How does that filter to younger generations? Remain with us, as ghosts and skeletons.
The Book of Lost Saints is one of those books that is written wonderfully because of all these touches. Marisol's POV, as a whole, and presenting this conflict between Marisol's actions and Ramon's life. While Ramon was a main character in The Book of Lost Saints, I don't really ever feel like I got a good sense of Ramon, not like Marisol. Overall, The Book of Lost Saints is full of mystery, sacrifice, revolution, and family. I basically loved all the scenes of Marisol's memories because we can see this struggle between resistance, expression, and survival. For each of us, our limits and willingness to sacrifice is different. It's also a book about journeys. And there were a few passages that have stuck with me after reading.
April 19, 2020
This book was so not what I expected. I picked this up from my library’s New Releases shelf back in February because the cover is so intricate and appealing. I read the synopsis and thought, “Okay, so the spirit of a lost family member takes her nephew on a journey. Cool.” But it is so much more than that. This book discusses what it means to be a family and how trauma can permeate family trees.
The main character, Marisol, disappeared during the revolution in Cuba and her spirit shows her nephew, Ramón, pieces of her life so he can uncover what became of her. I loved Marisol! We see her childhood and eventual involvement in the revolution, as well as her “life” in the present. Even in the glimpses of her childhood, Marisol is sassy and takes no sh*t and I loved it! The character development for Marisol and Ramón was elaborate and wholly complete. They were rounded, flawed individuals who grew so much throughout the book. There are a number of storylines woven throughout, but they all lead to the end. Speaking of which, I did not expect the book to end the way it did! Had any other book ended this way, I may have rolled my eyes and thought it to be cheesy, but it was a perfect ending for the journey Daniel José Older took me on in this book. I also happened to finish this book a few days after The Good Place series finale and...major vibes. I definitely recommend you check this one out.
The main character, Marisol, disappeared during the revolution in Cuba and her spirit shows her nephew, Ramón, pieces of her life so he can uncover what became of her. I loved Marisol! We see her childhood and eventual involvement in the revolution, as well as her “life” in the present. Even in the glimpses of her childhood, Marisol is sassy and takes no sh*t and I loved it! The character development for Marisol and Ramón was elaborate and wholly complete. They were rounded, flawed individuals who grew so much throughout the book. There are a number of storylines woven throughout, but they all lead to the end. Speaking of which, I did not expect the book to end the way it did! Had any other book ended this way, I may have rolled my eyes and thought it to be cheesy, but it was a perfect ending for the journey Daniel José Older took me on in this book. I also happened to finish this book a few days after The Good Place series finale and...major vibes. I definitely recommend you check this one out.
May 18, 2020
Older explores the violence of the Cuban revolution through this nicely written story of a female ghost visiting her nephew to try to understand the events surrounding her own death and those of several other family members. The audio version read by Sofia Quintero creates an intimate experience that feels fully authentic.
August 10, 2020
I’m still trying to figure out why I didn’t enjoy this one more. I liked the story, but I wasn’t a fan of the POV (ghost/spirit of an aunt haunting her nephew’s dreams). The ending felt a little rushed. I think this book would have worked better for me if the discoveries came to Ramón more naturally throughout the book, or if the stories told through dreams were actually just flashbacks.
January 19, 2020
This was a tough read because it was confusing at times, but it wasn't the main reason I rated this only 2 stars. The author didn't develop the characters enough for me to like them.
January 14, 2020
The Book of Lost Saints is a lyrically written, gorgeous book by Daniel José Older. Marisol, a spirit, vanished during the Cuban Revolution, but can’t remember what happened to her. Now, she is infusing her memories, which slowly unfold, into the dreams of her nephew Ramón, praying that the DJ will dig into his family’s history to write the rest of her story.
This novel was incredible: from the twists I could never see coming to the level of emotional investment the reader begins to feel in Ramón and Marisol’s search for the end of her story. Older writes of the Cuban-American experience and of the horrors under Batista through one family’s story, and it’s tremendously effective. I was entranced and convinced by the love story, completely thrown by the twists, and the reveals near the end each reduced me to tears. It is a powerful magical realist novel about storytelling, about what it means for a generation to grow up in an environment of oppressive silence and betrayal, about memory, loss, and family. My best read of the year so far.
This novel was incredible: from the twists I could never see coming to the level of emotional investment the reader begins to feel in Ramón and Marisol’s search for the end of her story. Older writes of the Cuban-American experience and of the horrors under Batista through one family’s story, and it’s tremendously effective. I was entranced and convinced by the love story, completely thrown by the twists, and the reveals near the end each reduced me to tears. It is a powerful magical realist novel about storytelling, about what it means for a generation to grow up in an environment of oppressive silence and betrayal, about memory, loss, and family. My best read of the year so far.
June 25, 2019
Slated for release on November 9th, 2019, The Book of Lost Saints by Daniel José Older is a haunting and intriguing book that readers are going to love.
The story centers around Marisol, a spirit who is desperate to find out what happened to her in the past and how she died. She remembers fragment by fragment of her history and infuses those memories into the dreams of her nephew Ramón, a DJ. Ramón keeps a book of all his vivid dreams, but when he starts asking questions, his family evades him and refuses to answer anything. The story is told from Marisol’s perspective, so we see firsthand the horrifying memories she keeps gaining. It’s part mystery, part history, and ultimately a story about family and legacy.
The first aspect of this book that I absolutely loved was that it prompted me to do a bit of research into the revolutions and unrest in Cuba under Torrado, then Castro.
"What do you do when you’ve already torn down the world to make a better one and the better one turns out to be just as rotten as the one you shattered?
You shatter the world all over again, I suppose and keep breaking it until you get one you can name Freedom."
I had a vague notion about the revolution, but knew little to nothing about the in your face brutality of Fidél Castro, which spurred another revolution.
There was a significant gap in my knowledge of Cuban history outside of knowing a little about cult status of Che Guevera, a leader of one of the branches that finally overthrew Batista. So, thank you for prompting me to do a bit of research.
I also loved the focus on the deep connections families can have and how quickly they can be shattered and rebuilt. I admire the Cubano’s fierce love and hope for their homeland, despite living on foreign soil. Finally, my favorite parts were Marisol’s memories – they were well-written so that it keeps you wanting more and had vivid description.
One difficulty I had was that I haven’t spoken Spanish in decades. I could parse out a few words and phrases, but not all. It was funny because the ones I did google because they kept popping up ended up being curse words.
I had the opportunity to meet Daniel José Older on two occasions at Book Con. He loves what he does and is such a genuinely nice person – he takes his time with his fans and I appreciate that!
As an aside another one of my favorite quotes is:
"The point is, son, the reason that Willsmeeth is such a good actor, the thing that makes him above all others, is that he can play any character he wants, and he is still true to himself"
I just got home from Aladdin last night and this line is truer than ever. He’s the Genie, of course, but there is so much Will Smith in what he does and you can see his humor throughout. I think I could even pick out the lines he added himself. “I heard the princess is hot, where is she?” for instance.
There were so many good quotes in this book and here are my top five:
"The power of people knowing you have power means you don’t have to use it."
"You’ve always been a warrior, and now you are learning that a true warrior is also very vulnerable on the outside, the pain has become so great that is is impossible to act tough anymore."
"Wrap love around even the most broken parts of yourself, because they are what God has given you to remind you how strong you are."
"They persist, but so do I, it seems."
"The whole terrible system seemed like a setup sometimes: You crack slightly in the face of a world not built for you, and they load you up with medications till you can’t feel anything, then they act surprised when your body and mind rebel and the rebellion is an explosion outward instead of another fake suicide attempt. And then you’re done: locked away, disappeared, force-fed more meds and trapped in a smiley-faced spiral of How Are You Feeling Today and Let’s Talk About What Happened That Day, and it never fucking ends."
As a disclaimer, I received this digital ARC from Edelweiss for purposes of review and all opinions are my own.
The story centers around Marisol, a spirit who is desperate to find out what happened to her in the past and how she died. She remembers fragment by fragment of her history and infuses those memories into the dreams of her nephew Ramón, a DJ. Ramón keeps a book of all his vivid dreams, but when he starts asking questions, his family evades him and refuses to answer anything. The story is told from Marisol’s perspective, so we see firsthand the horrifying memories she keeps gaining. It’s part mystery, part history, and ultimately a story about family and legacy.
The first aspect of this book that I absolutely loved was that it prompted me to do a bit of research into the revolutions and unrest in Cuba under Torrado, then Castro.
"What do you do when you’ve already torn down the world to make a better one and the better one turns out to be just as rotten as the one you shattered?
You shatter the world all over again, I suppose and keep breaking it until you get one you can name Freedom."
I had a vague notion about the revolution, but knew little to nothing about the in your face brutality of Fidél Castro, which spurred another revolution.
There was a significant gap in my knowledge of Cuban history outside of knowing a little about cult status of Che Guevera, a leader of one of the branches that finally overthrew Batista. So, thank you for prompting me to do a bit of research.
I also loved the focus on the deep connections families can have and how quickly they can be shattered and rebuilt. I admire the Cubano’s fierce love and hope for their homeland, despite living on foreign soil. Finally, my favorite parts were Marisol’s memories – they were well-written so that it keeps you wanting more and had vivid description.
One difficulty I had was that I haven’t spoken Spanish in decades. I could parse out a few words and phrases, but not all. It was funny because the ones I did google because they kept popping up ended up being curse words.
I had the opportunity to meet Daniel José Older on two occasions at Book Con. He loves what he does and is such a genuinely nice person – he takes his time with his fans and I appreciate that!
As an aside another one of my favorite quotes is:
"The point is, son, the reason that Willsmeeth is such a good actor, the thing that makes him above all others, is that he can play any character he wants, and he is still true to himself"
I just got home from Aladdin last night and this line is truer than ever. He’s the Genie, of course, but there is so much Will Smith in what he does and you can see his humor throughout. I think I could even pick out the lines he added himself. “I heard the princess is hot, where is she?” for instance.
There were so many good quotes in this book and here are my top five:
"The power of people knowing you have power means you don’t have to use it."
"You’ve always been a warrior, and now you are learning that a true warrior is also very vulnerable on the outside, the pain has become so great that is is impossible to act tough anymore."
"Wrap love around even the most broken parts of yourself, because they are what God has given you to remind you how strong you are."
"They persist, but so do I, it seems."
"The whole terrible system seemed like a setup sometimes: You crack slightly in the face of a world not built for you, and they load you up with medications till you can’t feel anything, then they act surprised when your body and mind rebel and the rebellion is an explosion outward instead of another fake suicide attempt. And then you’re done: locked away, disappeared, force-fed more meds and trapped in a smiley-faced spiral of How Are You Feeling Today and Let’s Talk About What Happened That Day, and it never fucking ends."
As a disclaimer, I received this digital ARC from Edelweiss for purposes of review and all opinions are my own.
November 26, 2020
This book stunned me. I was not expecting to enjoy this story, these characters, and this setting as much as I did. The book is a little slow in the beginning; the prose is almost guarded and purposely vague. However, if you can push past that you will be rewarded by a raw, honest, and beautiful novel. Older’s portrayal of rebel Cuba is a character unto itself; the moral and emotional investment he poured into this book is evident and moving. Additionally, the representation of female and queer stories in this is empathetically and masterfully done. I stumbled upon this book by sheer chance, and am so incredibly glad I did. Would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves magical realism, latinx stories, or family epics.
February 22, 2022
Very good story. I appreciate that Older tells the story of those who died while imprisoned at the infamous Isla de Pinos in Cuba in the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution. The novel is deeper than that. Older emphasizes the importance on remember, honoring, and telling the stories of ancestors. Everyone's story matters. The concept of sacred stories (beyond Holy Books) is emphasized here. The stories of our ancestors complete both us and them. This book conceptualizes history and memory in a different way than the way professional historians do. And professional historians should take heed to Older's conceptualization of history and memory. I highly recommend this book.
December 5, 2021
I was really uninterested in this in the beginning, but kept reading in the hope that the ghost narrator would give way to another point of view. She did not, but eventually I got accustomed to the pattern, and my interest in the Cuban revolution and its aftermath took over. The ghost, Marisol, followed and inhabited her nephew, Ramon, in order to learn the truth about her death. I came to like Ramon long before Marisol herself did. The first sentence of the book, "His name is Gomez," puzzles me, as Gomez, did not play a particularly major role in the story.
February 7, 2020
magical and poetic storytelling from start to finish. a historically-inspired tale of both individual and communal identity, sacrifice, and healing. I especially appreciated Marisol's character development and her journey in discovering the truth. her narration allowed readers to join her, instead of her simply leading the way.
February 25, 2022
i finished this book and then out loud said “oh wow” because this might be the slowest most built up story i’ve ever read plus my adhd inability to read a book instead of an audiobook during the semester but the way it all goes together is fantastic and full circle and wow
August 25, 2024
A moving story told across two timelines, set in the 1950s during the Cuban revolution and present day New Jersey/New York. The audiobook was beautifully done and this novel captivated me immediately as I waiting impatiently to learn more with each chapter.
January 14, 2020
I've enjoyed Older's middle grade and YA novels, but this has surpassed all expectations. This was such a heartbreaking, loving novel. I didn't want it to end. Thank you for writing this.
July 20, 2020
Pausing to look up the Cuban Revolution was very helpful... another instance of a piece of history of which I'm ignorant. As with Older's other books, music and rhythm guide so much of the story, as do intense family ties. A similar flavor to his other work, but more historical and less urban fantasy.
August 13, 2020
Daniel is a lovely human being, but personality aside, this is a great book (slow opening), excellent use of the present tense, and a lesson in the conjure work that is writing and memory.
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