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 Es Cuba: Life and Love on an Illegal Island :: 1580051790
Description
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| Es Cuba is a poignant and passionate travel memoir about falling in love with a country and one of its compatriots. Aschkenas never strays from her acute awareness that there is no way to separate her foreignness (intensified by U.S.-Cuba relations) from the complex mix of emotions, devotion and rejection, enrapture and apprehension that she develops toward the country. Her tale is filled with beautifully woven descriptions of Cuba and the customs and habits of its people. Aschkenas is a discerning observer, taking in the innocence, isolation, contradictions, and resolute optimism of a people who have persevered against the collective disappointment bestowed upon them by a government that has been unable to deliver the utopia promised by socialism. Aschkenas, already a seasoned traveler by the time she arrives in Cuba for the first time in 1999, is overcome by her own passion for Cuba and her unraveling affection for Alfredo as she comes to appreciate his naïveté, sincerity, and ability to live for the moment, something she comes to realize is the effect of growing up in a culture where nothing is ever certain. Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
Reviews
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Author: Guest
I picked this book for our book club after reading a review in the Pomona College Magazine. We live and work in Claremont and wanted to support a local graduate.
We all enjoyed the book and it led to a lively discussion on politics, third world values and love bridging two cultures. We all would like to know the next chapter. A good and interesting read to stimulate your mind.
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Author: Guest
I truly enjoyed reading this adventurous story of love and societal observation. I was moved by the author's quest to understand the incredible differences that can exist in a country which is virtually a stone's throw from the land of opportunity. She wonderfully conveyed how the Cuban people are able to find beauty and humor under trying circumstances. It is a tale that captures a peoples' passion for life in a delightful, sometimes surprising way.
In short, it is moving and thought-provoking - a book well worth reading!
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Author: Guest
This is a good book because it is interesting and it gives a lot of information about Cuba. An enjoyable summer read.
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Author: Guest
We know all about the politics... so how about the people? Lea Aschkenas tells us in her moving account of falling in love in Cuba.
A set of circumstances and a desire to learn Spanish put her where few Americans go. She starts off in the cacoon of a tourist hotel and moves (down) to a room the landlord sacrifices greatly to bring it to what we might award 1 or 2 stars, and in the end goes (way down) nearly native.
Along the way she meets Cubans and tells us how they cope. The revolution has brought them free health care (but not free medicine), education (but not jobs to go with it) and afforable symphony music. A schoolteacher tells how cleans her carpet with a t-shirt because brooms (she does not even consider a vacuum cleaner) cost US$.. so it takes her 3 hours.
Lea meets Alfredo, and he is unabashedly in love with her. She worries that the cultural divide is too great, but slips into love with him. Alfredo introduces Lea to the many alternate ways to provide life's small pleasures and she introduces them to us.
A very satisfying book about ordinary people, living their lives in Cuba.
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Author: Guest
This is a true story. I applaud the author, Lea Ashkenas, for opening up to the world about her personal experience with love and life in Cuba.
Written with humility, Lea allows us to experience and see her humanity and those of the Cuban people with whom she made friends with. Through her appreciation of the subtle nuances of human behaviour, especially in the most important relationships in our lives (family, marriage, and friends) "Es Cuba" reveals the beautiful complexities of human nature, no matter where you're from.
This book personally touched me as I was able to relate to it on a personal level. It was informative, but still personal to the author. It was gripping, hilarious at times, and touching.
I think this book is a wonderful example of experiencing love... within yourself, with a country and with another person.
Bravo Lea! And I wish you and Alfredo all the best!
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