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Sophia take it away!
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2.6.18
ISBN 0399586687
Pages: 336
Rating: 4.5
Format: Trade
Paperback
Source:
Penguin-Random House
Blurb:
After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American
woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity--and
unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution...
Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba's high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country's growing political unrest--until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary...
Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa's last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth.
Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba's tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she'll need the lessons of her grandmother's past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.
Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba's high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country's growing political unrest--until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary...
Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa's last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth.
Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba's tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she'll need the lessons of her grandmother's past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.
Sophia's Review
Already familiar with this author's work in her contemporary
military romance trilogy, I was intrigued by this latest project with its blend
of historical fiction, women's fiction, and star-crossed romance. With a setting like modern Cuba and the Cuba
of the late fifties, I was well aware this would be a bittersweet story to
savor.
Next Year in Havana tells the tale of Elisa Perez in the
waning years of 1950's Cuba and of her granddaughter, Marisol Ferrara in the
present day. Their stories are told in
first person point of view as the book flips back and forth between them.
Elisa's story pulled me in more deeply, I admit. I think it was the danger of living daily
with a revolution coming closer and closer and Elisa's family being on the
wrong side of the wave's swell. During
this time, she falls in love and with someone she should not. Pablo is a revolutionary and holds with
ideology that she does not share and she definitely doesn't hold with the
extreme ways the revolutionaries are willing to get what they want. And yet, they are in love in the stormy last
days of Batista's corrupt government, the strengthening angry sounds and voices
of revolution, and talk of her family fleeing to America.
And, paralleling Elisa's story is Marisol seeing the result
of Castro's revolution, the deprivations and fear most Cubans live with even
after Castro's death, and her own first real encounter with love while she is
following the trail of her grandmother's past.
Marisol's story is gentler and more introspective. I liked it, but was not exactly riveted until
after the half-way point when the twists happened and things got a whole lot more
exciting for her.
The historical and cultural setting along with the way the
characters fit in these settings seemed quite authentic to me. It was my first real encounter with a book
centered in Cuba and about Cubans and Cuban Americans. I felt it was balanced in how it looks on the
present and the past by offering up more than one outlook which is my favorite
way to experience historical fiction. It
is a complex situation and not to be treated in stark black and white just as
the characters were thinking and take actions that were not simple.
There is romance- glorious, painful circumspect romance for
both women. Both were a first encounter
attraction. Elisa's was a gradual build
to love after several fleeting encounters.
Marisol fell hard and fast. I
bought it because I think their family connections, her reason for the visit
and similar interests made the quick transition to love easier to believe. I also think it all worked because in my
mind, Marisol's romance with Luis was the second chance that her grandmother
and Pablo never got.
Though this was a bittersweet romantic story, I feel that
the reader should think of it more along the lines of historical and modern
women's fiction. It's the story of Cuba
told from the lives of the cast of characters.
It is introspective and thoughtful with a few moments of suspense. It’s about discovery and growth and a smidge
of hope. I felt this book's impact from
page one. I was touched emotionally, but
also it appealed to my mind. It's a book
that will challenge its readers, but also deliver a beautiful story. I think historical fiction fans and those who
enjoy reading about other people and cultures and times with a good dose of
romance are the best matches.
Author’s Bio
Originally from Florida, Chanel Cleeton grew up on stories
of her family's exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution.
Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying
in England where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from
Richmond, The American International University in London and a master's degree
in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science.
Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School
of Law. She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
Chanel is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. The author of ten books, her latest novel, NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA, will be published by Penguin/Berkley in February 2018.
Chanel is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. The author of ten books, her latest novel, NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA, will be published by Penguin/Berkley in February 2018.
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking,
book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man
and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region
of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
Sophia’s Social Media Links:
Sophia Rose - wonderful review and as Debbie says, has me thinking this would make a fascinating read, especially of a part of the world I know very little about except in general terms.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathryn. I learned so much about Cuba and was so enthralled that I Googled tons of the people and events and places mentioned. I just couldn't get enough even afterward. Glad to discover this is part of a series.
DeleteRight up my alley!
ReplyDeleteIt was sensational. I can't wait to get the grandmother's older sister's story next. There was this tantalizing line near the end about her going back and attempting an assassination on Castro. ;)
DeleteThanks for sharing this fantastic review Sophia Rose. Fiction featuring Cuba post and pre revolution really intrigues me.
ReplyDeleteThat was exactly what caught my eye, too, Debbie. :) And there's more to come.
DeleteI have heard great things about this book. Great review, Sophia.
ReplyDeleteI think most folks will find it totally deserves the chatter. It's definitely a captivating story. :)
DeleteThis sounds like a really good book, and I love your reviewe. Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteHowdy, Radiant Ro!
DeleteIt was so good that it left me with book hangover. :)