Of Women and Salt

A key theme in the novel is toxic masculinity and the feminine response to it: Nearly every woman in the story suffers violence at the hands of men. How do the women’s experiences differ? In what ways does the novel complicate how society perceives toxic masculinity?

Although the novel focuses on people, many problems that the characters experience are systemic rather than personal. Name a systemic problem that one or more characters experience. How does this issue develop throughout the novel?

Jeanette and Carmen’s relationship is difficult, and it doesn’t end happily. However, the novel suggests that the reasons for this are complex. Explore the relationship between the two as it develops. What key moments define it? Why do you think they’re unable to ever reconcile their differences?

Although the story begins with María Isabel, it never returns to her, and most characters of later generations have no idea who she was. Why do you think Gabriela Garcia included this chapter? In what ways does it help set up the rest of the novel? Name characters and events later in the narrative that echo María’s life.

Only two chapters take place consecutively: Maydelis’s chapter, “They Like the Grimy,” and Jeanette’s chapter, “People Like That.” This interesting juxtaposition of the two characters illuminates differences in perspectives about Cuba and the US. What are some similarities between the two characters? How does their relationship help you understand contemporary Cuba-US issues?

Although Of Women and Salt is a novel, it doesn’t follow a conventional narrative plot structure. Instead, it highlights moments in the lives of different women to illustrate larger issues that bridge their lives. In doing so, what literary devices does it use? What would you identify as the central conflict, and how does the novel develop and resolve it?

About two-thirds of the novel follows Jeanette and Carmen’s family. However, Garcia also introduces Gloria and Ana, and most events in their story arc are separate from the rest of the novel, connecting only at either end. What is the function of this story arc? Why does Garcia choose to introduce and follow these characters? How does their arc help develop Jeanette and Carmen’s arcs?

The novel is set against the background of Cuba-US international relations, which have been tense since Fidel Castrol took power in the late 1950s. In what ways does the novel engage with the historical relationship between the US and Cuba? How does this relationship affect the characters and families?