To say that Cuba is a magical destination is an understatement that most who’ve been there would attest to. Between a rich cultural history, a complex socio-political situation over the past century, and vibrant landscapes and people, these books on Cuba serve as a gateway into this multifaceted culture.
Checkout these 10 books on Cuba
Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos Eire
Carlos Eire’s memoir is about how he was exiled from his own country and separated from his family and his home. Although he grew up in a privileged household, that did not save him and his family from the Castro forces on the whole nation. As a young boy, Eire is found all alone in the US, forced to start from scratch the new and unknown land of the free, and knowing he will never see his father again. This memoir perfectly captures the feeling many of us go through at some point in our lives, where we feel like we died and then coming back to life with a fresh and new mentality.
Carlos Eire has been recognized and awarded for many of his books and novels. Waiting for Snow in Havana won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, was chosen as the Philadelphia One Book by John. F Street -- mayor of Philadelphia and was translated into many languages.
Cuba Diaries
by Isadora Tattlin
Isadora Tattlin and her family relocated to Cuba due to her husband’s job in the 1990s. She finds herself writing a detailed diary of her experience, adventures, and anecdotes in a foreign land known for its turbulent political climate. Although she has a very privileged expat lifestyle, poverty is seen across the streets of Havana, where the average Cuban lacks many of the basic necessities, like toilet paper or medical supplies. Isadora finds herself hosting a dinner party where Fidel Castro himself is on the guest list, showing the irony of Cuban society and mentality. Nevertheless, the story shows the beauty of how such a country somehow trapped in time still proves to be free in spirit.
Isadora Tattlin was born and raised in California until she moved to New York and met her husband, an energy consultant. The book is based on her experiences while living in Cuba.
Dreaming in Cuban
García shows the beautiful yet melancholic reality of Cuba focusing on the deep and emotional story of Celia del Pino and her family, moving us from past to present, the first person to the third person and from Cuba to the U.S. The story focuses more on Celia and her daughters and granddaughters: Felicia, Lourdes, and Pila. The three generations experienced the Cuban Revolution in different ways which built different perspectives, opinions of the situation, and their way of living through it. An inspiring story told through magical realism to show the bittersweet history of a country that has been governed by corruption and poverty.
Garcia has been nominated for a National Book Award, she has taught at universities around the U.S., and her books have been translated into more than 10 languages.
King of Cuba
The story of El Comandante, a fictionized version of the iconic Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro, and el Goyo Herrera an elder man who was exiled from Cuba and moved to Miami. Their stories collide because El Goyo has been looking to find revenge against the dictator, who is - according to him - responsible for his father’s death, for ruining Cuba, and stealing his lover. Cristina Garcia tells the story of various unofficial characters in Cuban history who will entertain and delight any audience due to its funny, yet very realistic portrait of Cubans living in and outside of the island.
The story is told in such a witty and humorous form it is easily enjoyed by any audience, giving Cubans a voice to show the struggles and successes their culture has dealt with throughout history.
Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause
by Tom Gjelten
No doubt you have heard of the famous Bacardi rum. This is the story of the Bacardi family of Cuba. Builders of the rum empire on this island made it a well-known global brand for the past five generations. Tom Gjelten uses this book to tell the story of an entrepreneurial family seeking to push their business to success even though Cuba’s fight to independence from Spain, civil wars during the rise of communism, and socialism with Fidel Castro and the vast exile happening with Cubans all over the nation. This book shows the true color of the struggle many businesses had to go through as part of Cuban history.
Tom Gjelten was an NPR News Correspondent strongly passionate about issues regarding religion and how it affects politics, faith, and how it influences social aspects in culture and beliefs that form the identity of individuals.
Dancing with Cuba
by Alma Guillermoprieto
The memoir of Guillermoprieto as she leaves New York as a young dancer to take a job as a dance teacher in Cuba’s National School of Dance. Arriving in the 1970s in the midst of the Cuban Revolution, she had to work with very unmaintained studios and poorly trained students looking for greatness. Her time in Cuba taught her about herself and her sense of purpose, helping her open her mind to greatness. An amazing story that demonstrates the power of art and music.
Guillermopietro was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to New York City as a teenager. Her journey as a writer and journalist has been strongly influenced by her passion for Latin American history, culture, and politics. All her experiences, hard work, and dedication led her to become part of the faculty in the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Chicago.
Telex from Cuba
Set in the late 1950s right during the Cuban revolution is the story of various expat American families living in Oriente Providence – an American colony on the island and working for the United Fruit Company. Although they come from different backgrounds and with different social classes, they are mixed and become close while living in Cuba. As the local rebel forces grow stronger, they seek to become close to the children of the most influential Americans to gain even more power. This novel shows an interesting perspective of life as American ex-pats living in a country with a turbulent and violent revolution looking to remote any glimpse of capitalism, something that Americans seek for.
Telex from Cuba was nominated for the 2008 National Book Award, a New York Times bestseller, and Notable Book.
Trading with the Enemy: A Yankee Travels through Castro’s Cuba
by Tom Miller
Tom Miller partook an 8-month unique and eye-opening adventure through the beautiful island of Cuba, famous for its long-lasting civil war and strong socialist and communist movements. Along his journey, Miller encounters various characters who have spent their whole lives in Cuba and like to share their experience and perspectives regarding the U.S. embargo, Fidel Castro, food shortages, culture, tradition, and cigars. The book is the perfect portrait and representation of a vibrant nation that has been hidden to foreigners for decades.
Trading with the Enemy: A Yankee Travels Through Castro’s Cuba is a book to consider when seeking to learn about this country’s history and culture. The book is written through humor and compassion, yet not setting aside the reality and struggles of Cuba and its citizens.
Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life
This is the book to learn about Che Guevara, the well-known rebel fighting against the injustice in Latin America, which generated inequality between citizens and increased poverty. Thanks to Anderson’s access to private government documents and archives, he is able to portray Guevara’s full journey -- from his privileged upbringing in Argentina, his friendship with Fidel Castro during the Cuban revolution, his work in the Congo, and finally his death in the jungles of Bolivia. For many years, the life and journey of El Che had been a web of secrets. It was until this book was published that research and details came to the light and provided a new perspective of this mythic figure.
Anderson is a staff writer at The New Yorker and most of his journalism revolves around numerous international conflicts in Central and Latin America, the Middle East, and Many African regions.
The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love
by Oscar Hijuelos
The remarkable story of Cesar and Nestor Castillo, two brothers who migrated from Havana to New York City in the early 1950s, looking to pursue their dream as musicians during the mambo era. These golden times are remembered with nostalgia due to the fusion of Cuban and American culture. The Castillo brothers grew to be remembered as hard workers during the day and transform into the Mambo Kings during the night. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1990, making Oscar Hijuelo the first U.S. born Hispanic to win this prize.
Curious about understanding Cuba on a more personal level? Check out our Art & Culture of Cuba itinerary where you will experience the heart of Cuba through its people, charming B&Bs, local expert guides, and intimate personal experiences.
