Next Year in Havana

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Next Year in Havana is a dual narrative that tells the story of an exiled family and the generations that follow. It's not a perfect book. Some of the characterization is odd, but learning a bit more about Cuba's history through fictional characters was fascinating. My knowledge of Cuban history is spotty and filled in only by headlines. The proximity of Cuba to the United States is part of what makes its history and realities so heartbreaking. Not to mention, Cuban "history" is so recent in terms of what has happened there. I'll be on the lookout for more stories like this one.

Happy reading--

ps. I adored a boy during my sophomore year of college that we often referred to simply as The Cuban. It took reading this book to remember that. For the record, he too was a great dancer.

pps. 3.5 stars rounded up