Janis' Garden Party Book

Celia Cruz: My Life- Book Review
Written By Colette Byfield


Once in a while a truly memorable celebrity biography is written and this is one of them. Published in 2004, a year after the death of Celia Cruz, this story bursts with all of the conviviality and energy as if Ms. Cruz were speaking directly to me.

I had heard of Celia Cruz, but was not at all familiar with her music or her impact on salsa music as we know it today. I would venture to say that there may not be any salsa music if not for Ms. Cruz' particularly singing and dance style, overflowing with pure joy and mixed with the strong blend of Spanish, i.e. Afro-Cuban emotion.

The book is well written, especially for a translation. Ms. Cruz admits that her English was never very good however translator/co-writer Ana Hernandez successfully conveys the thoughts of this highly expressive Cuban artist into a very readable and emotive narrative that feels much more like a personal conversation over Cuban coffee.

Many celebrity biographies are little more than thinly veiled attempts to explain away some scandalous behavior and assuage the public while maintaining their own reputations. While Ms. Cruz does take time to explain many personal successes and failures, particularly breaks with her music companies, the reader doesn't feel as if she's explaining or dodging, just telling her side of it, with that classic Celia smile.

I wish more autobiographies were part of required reading because as great personalities like Celia Cruz pass away, they are not replaced. Their experiences and thoughts are not merely personal, but historical and ought to be part of any decent curriculum. Of particular interest are Celia's vivid memories of her life in Cuba, pre and post Castro. Needless to say there was no love lost between those two and several painful memories detailed by Celia, fully explain why.

Any music lover should have this as part of their collection since a detailed music anthology is included. Celia fans should know that this work inspired me to find her music and numerous concert appearances on YouTube, so her music lives on as new fans, like me become aware of her considerable talent.

Celia Cruz-My Life is not just a book, it's a novella, a walk through time, a front row seat, a story of love and courage and amazing grace. She hides nothing. All of her emotions come through loud and clear, including her own amazement at her incredible career and subsequent influence upon other artists.

This is one of my few 5 star reviews because her book is complete where others lack. Technically perfect, with no typos, wonderful editing that expertly condenses a long and illustrious career into a perfectly sized book, and a fluidity that moves and engages the reader from the first page.

After reading this book, you will feel the bitter disappointment that such a great talent Celia Cruz is no longer among us followed by the peace of that she has left us an even more amazing legacy; Celia Cruz - My Life.