NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA
by Chanel Cleeton
A two generation story of Cuban refugees centers on Elisa,
19, when her wealthy family is forced from Castro’s Cuba because of their
support of Battista, and Marisol, Elisa’s granddaughter, who travels to Havana
when the country reopens to tourists. Marisol carries her grandmother’s ashes
with the directive to scatter the ashes in Elisa’s home country.
Secrets abound as the story looks back to Elisa’s activities
leading up to the family’s escape and in the present as Marisol befriends a
politically active young Cuban. Strong
characterizations and a healthy dose of history (not always favorable to
America) make this a tale of revolution, passion for freedom, morality,
friendship, politics and loyalty.
Complicated love is a strong element that carries the story along
for those not so interested in the history neatly interwoven in the tale of
family pride and love of country. Book
groups will have much to discuss. This
would be a good book for teen daughters and their mothers to discuss.
4 of 5 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment