Historical Fiction Set in Cuba: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

The members of diasporas that were forced to left their countries under dramatic circumstances will nurture from a generation to another the golden memories of the good times. People who grew up in countries that changed over night, specifically when they turned into dictatorships, will always dream about returning into the countries of their childhoods. Sometimes, they are not lucky enough for this to happen.

Cuban diaspora is an example in this respect. Forced to leave - when they had the inspiration and the information about what may expect them if they would stay - in order to be spared the revolutionary waves, they settled in Europe or in America, especially in Miami, longing to return. 

Next Year in Havana - Nächstes Jahr in Havana, in the audiobook version in German, translated from English by Stefanie Fahrer - by bestseller author of Cuban origin Chanel Cleeton evokes the drama and intricacies of secrets of a family facing its recent past. As Marisol Ferrera embarks on a trip to Cuba to fulfill the last wish of her late grandmother, to spread her ashes in her country of birth, she was expecting a holiday while superficially connecting with her roots. However, this trip will challenge and change dramatically her life. She discovers secrets too heavy to be carried alone, but also she is falling in love with a charming professor putting his life into danger for sharing the truth about Castro´s regime with the rest of the world.

The novel is set in the last days of Castro regime, during the relative ´opening´ of the US-Cuban relationships and Cleeton is well literate in the more or less recent Cuban history to create an ambiance that resonates with the political changes. I´ve found interesting the dialogues about revolution and its dilemma, the cruelty of the revolutionary wave and the unavoidable dictatorship dead end.

The voice of the characters is clear, allowing to build up an unique story within the heavy historical burden. It is a golden balance achieved between the historical layers and the proper story, which made the story relatable and interesting.

As the book is part of series, I will be curious to continue soon with the rest of the installments. Also, I will keep an eye on Cuban events and definitely literary voices and arts. I also wish that no one should die with a bitter heart for being prevented from visiting the place of their birth.

Rating: 3.5 stars