Friday, March 18, 2005

Cuba Diaries by Isadora Tattlin

Cuaderno Latinoamericano
My parents recently gave me a book entitled Cuba Diaries by Isadora Tattlin that was published in 2002. I just finished it and want to recommend it to anyone that is even slightly interested in the current affairs and standard of living in Cuba. It is a true account of life written by the wife of an American diplomat posted in Cuba in the 1990s. I found it interesting because she points out the many disparities between the socioeconomic classes of Cuba, especially the differences between the elite/foreigners and the mostly poor citizens. She points out at one point that beggars ask for soap instaed of money. USA Today's review of the book says, "Cuba Diaries leaves fascinating and indelible images of the everyday reality for the inhabitants of Fidel Castro's fiefdom...and pointedly illustrates the impact of what Cubans refer to as el triunfo de la revolucion." It was a good read, and I'd be happy to loan it out if anyone is interested.

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