Books Set in North America; Cuba

Next Year in Havana, by Chanel Cleeton (2018)

Next Year in Havana is a novel about Cuba from the Cuban revolution to present day, after relations opened up between Cuba and the United States.  The novel is the history of Cuba as seen through the eyes of Elisa Perez, the sheltered and wealthy young daughter of a sugar baron, and her granddaughter, Marisol Perez, 60 years after the revolution.

After her grandmother died, Marisol, a journalist, went to Cuba ostensibly to write about the country, but also to return her grandmother’s ashes to the country of her birth.  She stays with Ana, her grandmother’s best friend from childhood.  She observes first-hand what Cuban life is like post-Fidel Castro.  It is still a life filled with terror.

Ana makes a living by hosting a restaurant in her home.  Her family chose not to leave Cuba following the revolution and, although they were able to save their house, live was not easy.

As a young girl, Eliza, was sheltered from the events leading up to the revolution. Her brother joined the revolution, and her father disowned him.  The family would sneak out to meet with him and give him money.  Eliza attended a party where she know her brother would be a met Pablo ~ a medical student who had joined the revolution.  They are both instantly smitten.

Eliza kept Pablo a secret from her family and even her best friend Ana.  Through Pablo, however, Eliza begins to learn of the horrors of the revolution.  She and Pablo exchange letters, which Eliza entrusted to Ana when she and her family left for Miami.

The author does an excellent job in providing a great deal of background leading up to the Cuban Revolution and life in Cuba post-revolution.  She also explains why many people chose to live in Cuba when they may have had an opportunity to leave the country.  In addition, she discussed the tension between Cubans and Cuban-Americans in a fresh way.

In addition to being a beautiful story, this novel provided the reader with a great history of Cuba.

Read: November 3, 2018

4 Stars