The Lonely Crossing of Juan Cabrera

by J. Joaquin Fraxedas

Book Overview

In the middle of a moonless night on a deserted beach east of Havana three men lash inner tubes together to make a flimsy raft they slide into the surf. Desperate to escape a society gone wrong, they risk an incredible journey across the more than ninety miles of treacherous waters that separate the island of Cuba from the Florida Keys.

In this powerful and lyrical novel, J. Joaquin Fraxedas has crafted an epic story of three courageous...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312110227
• ISBN13: 9780312110222
• Release Date: April 1994
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

a pearl of a book among swine

it was so refreshing to find a book you could not put down. after reading all the best sellers out there and yawning after every page, i was lucky to find this one on my own on a flight to atlanta. what a talented artist this guy is!

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death--An Incredible Journey

This novel forces one to take a hard look at oneself and the true meaning of courage. I am happy that his quest for freedom was a mission accomplished by faith, strength and determination. A heartwarming, moving, compelling and tragic story.

Glad he made it

This book is written in a simple and eloquent style and succeeds at conveying the horror and courage of the Cuban raft experience. It's written in the style of "The Old Man and the Sea" and should appeal to readers of all ages. Quite a triumph for the author, if he himself made a journey like this (it seems that he must have, given the knowing detail).

A confession from an 11th grade student

I am one of those people who hate reading. The Lonely Crossing of Juan Cabrera was assigned to me for summer reading. After reading this book I have a new appreciation for books and literature. This is definatly an excellent book.

Wonderful, very moving book of an exile's ordeal

This exciting book contains one of the best-written sea adventures I've read. The political ordeal of the protagonist does not eclipse the emotional life of the well-profiled characters. The beautifully translated prose compares to Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea. Worth reading, a brief book (174 pp.) that makes you want to recommend it to others. Reviewed by F. R. Wertz