Isla Verde

Rating:
Summary: I'm being redundant
Review: Anything I write here is redundant to the high praise other reviewers have all ready provided. I learned more about Puerto Rico and its people in 6 chapters of this book, then I did in my years of vacationing there. I view Puerto Rico with a deeper respect, awe and comprehension of the culture as a result of this book. I look forward to moving there even more enthusiastically. Do buy this book, you won't be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Polemical Portrayal of Puerto Rico's Political Passions
Review: Say that ten times! This is a compelling American viewpoint of the tortuous lengths to which the Puerto Rican psyche has been affected by and contributed to this island's indecison over its ultimate political status. Don't let this initial description cause you to think this book is only or mostly about Puerto Rico's political landscape. It really explains the cultural ambivalence felt by most Puerto Ricans between their American citizenship and their need and pride in asserting their Puerto Rican culture. The story line deftly presents these conflicting feelings through the main characters who do justice to their respective points of view while engendering the reader with an almost schizophrenic understanding of what seem like mutually exclusive choices. The author has done a great job of using the lives and adventures of the characters to portray Puerto Rico's ongoing status dilemma for what it is ... a clash of cultures. Even if getting exposed to this island's politics is not of primary interest, you will still enjoy a good love story that is foremost at the heart of Isla Verde.

Rating:
Summary: Polemical Portrayal of Puerto Rico's Political Passions
Review: Say that ten times! This is a compelling American viewpoint of the tortuous lengths to which the Puerto Rican psyche has been affected by and contributed to this island's indecison over its ultimate political status. Don't let this initial description cause you to think this book is only or mostly about Puerto Rico's political landscape. It really explains the cultural ambivalence felt by most Puerto Ricans between their American citizenship and their need and pride in asserting their Puerto Rican culture. The story line deftly presents these conflicting feelings through the main characters who do justice to their respective points of view while engendering the reader with an almost schizophrenic understanding of what seem like mutually exclusive choices. The author has done a great job of using the lives and adventures of the characters to portray Puerto Rico's ongoing status dilemma for what it is ... a clash of cultures. Even if getting exposed to this island's politics is not of primary interest, you will still enjoy a good love story that is foremost at the heart of Isla Verde.

Rating:
Summary: Isla Verde
Review: What a magnificent book! Even if its very light reading, it was just what I was looking for. A book you can read in one or two days by the pool on your Caribbean or Miami vacation. A little bit lopsided in his views, the central character believes that the relationship between PR and the US is unilaterally unfair and that the US is getting the worst part of the bargain.

The author is a little naive in those relative terms, especially when you look at the number of deaths of PuertoRicans in the last 60 years versus Americans in war or military situations. Nonetheless, the romance is there and at least the plot will wet your appetite to read a lot more or actually visit the little but complex Island. The author describes the Virgin Islands as I have experienced them and as your worst fears would materialize, adding suspense to the romance.

Buy this book and pass it along!!!

Rating:
Summary: I'm being redundant
Review: WOW!!.... was my reaction after reading this book. Very well written, entertaining, romantic and truly filled with political reality.

Being a Puerto Rican, I was skeptical about reading a book with an American view on my "Isla del Encanto" (Island of Enchantment), and even more where politics were involved for fear of feeling offended. But, as they say, "curiosity killed the cat... and the information brought him back", so I decided to read it.

My hat goes off to Mr. Hoyt!. An American that not only shares his views on the island's political status, which he accomplishes in clear concise language and great knowledge through the eyes of Brad Fichton (one of his characters), but is also able to capture and understand with much insight the strong heart-felt sentiment that Puerto Ricans have toward their island.

No matter what political party you identify with you will truly relate with the emotions expressed by the Puerto Rican characters, and will have to agree with the opinions expressed by Brad Fichton. The book is very well documented with facts and the undeniable truth about our political status since the early 1960's. You will come across some great straight-to-the-point speeches made by one of the characters with questions and answers that will undoubtedly have you thinking about our political future.

I encourage every Puerto Rican, and for that matter every American, to engage in a romantic/political journey that will make you either question your identity - if you're a Puerto Rican or inspire curiosity and awareness about our "Isla Verde" - if you're an American.

It's a short book, so it's a quick read. I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: ISLA VERDE
Review: WOW!!.... was my reaction after reading this book. Very well written, entertaining, romantic and truly filled with political reality.

Being a Puerto Rican, I was skeptical about reading a book with an American view on my "Isla del Encanto" (Island of Enchantment), and even more where politics were involved for fear of feeling offended. But, as they say, "curiosity killed the cat... and the information brought him back", so I decided to read it.

My hat goes off to Mr. Hoyt!. An American that not only shares his views on the island's political status, which he accomplishes in clear concise language and great knowledge through the eyes of Brad Fichton (one of his characters), but is also able to capture and understand with much insight the strong heart-felt sentiment that Puerto Ricans have toward their island.

No matter what political party you identify with you will truly relate with the emotions expressed by the Puerto Rican characters, and will have to agree with the opinions expressed by Brad Fichton. The book is very well documented with facts and the undeniable truth about our political status since the early 1960's. You will come across some great straight-to-the-point speeches made by one of the characters with questions and answers that will undoubtedly have you thinking about our political future.

I encourage every Puerto Rican, and for that matter every American, to engage in a romantic/political journey that will make you either question your identity - if you're a Puerto Rican or inspire curiosity and awareness about our "Isla Verde" - if you're an American.

It's a short book, so it's a quick read. I recommend it.