Telex From Cuba by Rachel Kushner was an interesting read for me. I am truly not up on my Cuban history. I trust she did some research and then wrote this fiction about an American community in Cuba in 1958.
The Americans were supervising the sugarcane plantations. They are living rich with native Cuban servants, country club parties, and a lot of indulgences. Meanwhile, Fidel and Raoul Castro are up in the hills with the rebels plotting revolt and revolution. In some of the American families, young men head to the hills to help the rebels.
We follow young Everly Lederer and K.C. Stites as they become aware of the race hierarchies and violence. Cover blurb - They discover the brutality that keeps the colony humming. If their parents manage to maintain blissfully untouched by the forces of history, the children hear the whispers of what is to come.
With her first novel, Kushner surrounds history with strong characters and an engaging plot. Cover blurb - Haunting and compelling, this book offers the urgency of a telex from a forgotten time and place.
Interesting historical perspective and solid writing. Thumbs up
Hi Joanne - this sounds an excellent introduction to Cuba in those times ... a book I'd like to read at some stage - lots of others before hand. Thanks for the interesting review - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteit was interesting since I truly have no good idea of the history of Cuba other than the Castro name.
DeleteDon't really know much about Cuba except for Fidel, the book sounds like a brilliant way to find out. Historical fiction is totally my favourite genre.
ReplyDeleteI agree and this author had obviously done research. Her characters resonated against the backdrop.
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