Telex from Cuba

Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner opened me up to a whole world I knew nothing about - American expats living in Cuba before the Castro era.

It's a well-written and engrossing book and I especially liked the two narrators who were children. There was just something so compelling about hearing what was going on from their point of view - free from bias and racism - though flawed by what they could not understand. The other two narrators are Rachel K, a cabaret dancer, and a french arms dealer. I found the adult narrators less believable and unsympathetic.

KC Stites and Everly Lederer provide the children's point of view from the two American interests in the east of the island - the United Fruit Plant and the Nicaro Nickel Plant across the bay. KC was born on the island and has never known any other life. His brother Del has runaway from home to join the rebels in the mountains. A display of rebellion from the privileged life he has led amongst so much strife.

Everly Lederer comes with her family from the Midwest when she is eight. Gawky and socially awkward, Everly is inquisitive and accepting of the island and the people she meets.

Everyone's story culminates with the revolution. I was left with a wonderful postcard of life in Cuba in the 1950s.