BERKLEY Next Year In Havana

Goodness, this book took my breath away.I do not think I have the ability to express how much I loved it, and the impact the story had on me. There’s so much to it, so much heart, soul and passion that leaped off those words and I was swept away at every moment.I had no idea what to expect going into it, but it has become one of my favourite stories. It was so enlightening and eye-opening to read!I loved getting to know the characters and how the political situation in Cuba formed not only the characters and their families, but the citizens in Cuba itself.The historical aspect was beyond fascinating and Chanel Cleeton did a pretty perfect job at keeping my attention, because politics can be complex and hard to grasp. But the political commentaries were told with so much ease and understanding and not only one narrative was pushed. Every angle was looked at and I couldn’t stop thinking. My brain was going haywire and I loved it. I loved getting to know what the country was going through during such a tumultuous time in their period and seeing how that shaped the people.I was truly experiencing Cuba.Now I want to read everything Chanel Cleeton writes! And read more on Latin America!

So I spent most of the day yesterday reading Next Year in Havana. I know, I know, I know… I did mean to do more with my day but then I just kept thinking one more chapter and then after that chapter one more chapter and before I knew it, I’d finished! And now I have a serious book hangover!Yes, I’m sure you can guess…I loved Next Year in Havana, and I’m not the only one. This is Reese Witherspoon’s July pick for her book club, and crikey what a pick it is. It has everything in it; love and loss against the backdrop of Cuba’s turbulent history and politics.I really learnt a lot reading this book. I’m not going to lie, it is pretty political and I did have to Google a few things whilst reading to help my understanding of the Cuban politics and history. But that’s one of the beauties of reading historic fiction – it educates you.The story is juxtaposed between the Havana of the late 1950s with Cuba on the brink of revolution, and modern-day Havana following the death of Fidel Castro. It centres around two women; nineteen year old Elisa who is forced to flee Cuba during the 1959 revolution; and Marisol, Elisa’s granddaughter who returns to modern-day Cuba to scatter her grandmother’s ashes following her death only to discover deep family secrets.Elisa is the daughter of a sugar baron and sheltered from the political unrest sweeping her country until she falls in love with Pablo, a revolutionary close to Castro. Marisol is a Cuban-American, who grows up hearing the romantic stories of Cuba from her grandmother and clearly identifies herself as distinctly Cuban; until she experiences first-hand the personal, political and sometimes dangerous struggles of Cubans today.Next Year in Havana is a compelling and insightful read. Yes, it does have a beautiful and romantic cover, but in my view the cover is a tad misleading as this is a hard-hitting book veiled by romanticism.Chanel Cleeton, the author has since written a sequel When We Left Cuba which will be published in the UK in April 2019. I’m now on the hunt to get an advance copy as I’m so excited to read it; I literally can’t wait!Thank you Chanel Cleeton for Next Year in Havana; it is a gripping read that gives the world an authentic insight on what it is to be Cuban; whether it’s a Cuban in exile; a Cuban born and brought up in another country or a Cuban living in the country today. Also thank you to Reese Witherspoon’s book club for bringing this great read to my attention.

It is not often that a book comes along that ticks pretty much ALL the boxes. It pulls together a good story together, it is written in fluid prose, with well fleshed out characters and it has consummate intelligence.It was the July 2018 Reese Witherspoon Hello Sunshine BookClub Choice. In the video on her site the author says of the book that: “…she feels she is travelling to a different place and a different time and this book has transported me…it’s going to make you feel you had a mini vacation….”The Perez family is one of the wealthy, sugar owning families in Havana in the late 1950s. Sugar and rum brought unimaginable riches to the island. These are, however, the final months of despot Batista’s rule. Revolución is building and Che Guavara and Fidel Castro are amassing their fighters to take over the reigns of power. Elisa is one of the daughters in the family who is the grandmother of Marisol, who now works as a journalist and lives in Florida. Florida is a mere 90 miles from the island.2017 and Marisol is returning to Havana with her grandmother’s ashes. She has never been to Cuba but having grown up in the Cuban community in Florida, she feels that her heart is embedded in the island. She has to find out more. She stays with Ana, Elisa’s best friend in the day and it is her grandson, Luis, with whom she hooks up to tour the island. Her quest is to find the right place to scatter her grandmother’s ashes.The author manages the two time lines superbly and each is well fleshed and credible. The history of the island is brought to life in a measured, informed way that is in no way didactic. I came away with more understanding of very difficult times. Move forward to 2017 and the people are still largely in dire straits, even though Fidel has gone. There is still an autocratic, iron rule which targets dissenters and Luis himself is a secret blogger and now that he is seen in the company of a journalist, he has caught the eye of the authorities.There are two love stories, one set in each era, they are edgy and the Malecón (the esplanade that runs along the sea through Old Havana to Vedado) often forms the backdrop for the liaisons past and present.There is still a simplicity to everyday life nowadays, something tourists appreciate and rave about but there is also a deeper and distressing level to comprehend – ‘..underneath the historic beauty is a sense of desperation…the beauty of life here – the simplicity of it – is also the tragedy of it’This is an enriching and absorbing read. There is nothing much more to say other than go and buy it (which of course you can from your favourite bookseller through the TripFiction database!). And, of course, do pick up a copy if you are heading to Cuba. It will bring the island and its history to life through excellent writing and storytelling. A perfect choice for literary wanderlust to Cuba.

I wouldn't typically buy a romance novel but this book has changed my opinion on the genre. Next Year in Havana has one of the most gripping opening chapters I have come across and I kept wanting to read more about the lives of the two protagonist females, both showing their resilience to, and love for, the world around them. The stunning romance mixed with the political history of Cuba worked extremely well. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about Cuban history while being captivated by an epic love story.

Loved it, the story starts right away and jumps back and forward - past and present. I leant a lot about Cuba, and it’s definitely somewhere I’d love to visit and see and feel the culture and the lifestyle. Can’t wait the follow up book comes out next year ❤️❤️