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A review by karaklos
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
2.0
Next Year in Havana really missed the mark. It’s intended to be a serious, meaningful story but is so frivolous that I was physically uncomfortable reading it at times.
The only saving grace is a bit of Cuban history and politics. That being said, I wish she had focused more on the average Cuban citizen’s experience instead of a wealthy family. With the many descriptions of shopping trips, designer dresses, jewelry, etc., it was difficult to feel sorry for the wealthy family who was forced to flee. I did like the descriptions of the family restaurants that catered to tourists and the food.
I visited Cuba last year and was looking forward to the main character Marisol’s first impressions of Cuba, particularly compared to her family’s descriptions. I was disappointed in her reaction. Things were worn, frayed, or crumbling but there was never any reaction as to the safety and sanitary conditions of Havana. There was no real feeling that she had been there. Instead, it felt like she had a checklist of things she wanted to touch on (rum, cigars, dominoes, etc.).
Romance dominates this book and it’s not realistic. People see each other once and that’s it, they’re in love! Many of the lines were ridiculous in describing feelings. Everything made the women shiver or flutter.
“I can make out the edge of a mattress covered in a navy blue spread, a pair of trouser pants draped across the foot of the bed, this intimate view of his domestic life sending a flutter to my stomach.”
Really? His bedspread and pants make you go crazy?
There is a big dramatic encounter near the end of the book that is preposterous, predictable, and poorly played out.
The only saving grace is a bit of Cuban history and politics. That being said, I wish she had focused more on the average Cuban citizen’s experience instead of a wealthy family. With the many descriptions of shopping trips, designer dresses, jewelry, etc., it was difficult to feel sorry for the wealthy family who was forced to flee. I did like the descriptions of the family restaurants that catered to tourists and the food.
I visited Cuba last year and was looking forward to the main character Marisol’s first impressions of Cuba, particularly compared to her family’s descriptions. I was disappointed in her reaction. Things were worn, frayed, or crumbling but there was never any reaction as to the safety and sanitary conditions of Havana. There was no real feeling that she had been there. Instead, it felt like she had a checklist of things she wanted to touch on (rum, cigars, dominoes, etc.).
Romance dominates this book and it’s not realistic. People see each other once and that’s it, they’re in love! Many of the lines were ridiculous in describing feelings. Everything made the women shiver or flutter.
“I can make out the edge of a mattress covered in a navy blue spread, a pair of trouser pants draped across the foot of the bed, this intimate view of his domestic life sending a flutter to my stomach.”
Really? His bedspread and pants make you go crazy?
There is a big dramatic encounter near the end of the book that is preposterous, predictable, and poorly played out.