Lydia Cabrera and the Construction of an Afro-Cuban Cultural Identity

“An important book. . . . Offers an interesting and valuable biographic source for scholars and undergraduate students interested in Caribbean Studies, Cuban culture and literature, [and] the heritage of Africa in Hispanic America. . . . It brings light where knowledge was lacking.” — Latin Americanist

“A genuine success in this work is the way in which the author brings to the fore Cabrera’s deep engagement with the Afro-Cuban subject and an investedness in the telling of their stories. . . . A valuable contribution to the study of Caribbean ethnography.” — Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies

“The central thesis of this book is beyond reproach. . . . If Mangual-Rodriguez begins an Anglophone tradition of writing on Cabrera she will have done a real service to the memory of this great scholar.” — New West Indian Guide

“A pioneering effort . . . intelligently focused on reading a variety of Cabrera’s text — all but one unavailable in English translation. . . . A valuable book.” — Journal of American Folklore

“For years I have been waiting for a book that would illuminate Lydia Cabrera’s amazing contributions to Afro-Cuban studies. Lydia Cabrera is the most important woman anthropologist Cuba has produced, and yet this is the first book in English to offer a thorough acccount of Cabrera’s life and work. A thoughtful, profound, and necessary book.” — Ruth Behar, University of Michigan

“This book makes a significant contribution to the fields of Afro-Hispanism and Cuban studies. Not only does Rodríguez-Mangual present Lydia Cabrera as someone who has surpassed Fernando Ortiz’s hegemonic national project, but she also makes Cabrera the true leader of 'transculturation' in Cuba.” — Mariela A. Gutiérrez, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada