Vera P. (verap) reviewed on 10/9/2009 + 30 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

In an impressive first novel, Rachel Kushner writes about the lives of American families in Cuba before Castro, and the events leading up to the revolution. There are American families, like the Stites and the Lederers, making their fortunes in Cuba, and putting on the perfect facades despite their problems. There are the Allens, wanted fugitives in America, for whom Cuba is the last resort. Then there are characters like Rachel K., a cabaret dancer who helps out the rebels and facilitates political negotiations in her spare time, and the French agitator La Maziere who makes his living off playing one political side against another. The main focus of the story is on the families living in the American settlements in Preston (now Guatemala) and Nicaro, but other characters like La Maziere and Rachel K. provide a more rounded perspective on the events.

I'm not at all familiar with Cuban history, so I cannot tell you whether or not 'Telex from Cuba' accurately portrays the events of that time. However, I can tell you that this book has wonderfully complex characters that make for a very interesting read. While the story is based in some extent on actual history, I think the characters and their lives are meant to have the main spotlight. To that end, I think Kushner did a great job interweaving lives and stories, the bad and the good, the masters and the servants. A+ on all counts.

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