The Cuban Chronicles by Wanda St. Hilaire (book review)
“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“
The Cuban Chronicles
Wanda St. Hilaire
Underneath the façade of Cuba’s tourism lies the desperation of a society living mostly in abject poverty. When tourists mingle with locals, we get a glimpse of what underlies the frivolity of Cuban entanglements. St. Hilaire speaks with an authentic voice and doesn’t mince words; she recounts her own activities, emotions and opinions with refreshing honesty.
With each solo adventure, the author reaches a deeper understanding of human nature and the world. At the same time, she conducts a journey of self-discovery, learning about her own entrenched beliefs, biases and blemishes.
Reviewed by IE Mommy friend, Janette
The Cuban Chronicles is the true account of the pleasures and perils of a single, promiscuous woman as she wanders Cuba alone. I know very little about Cuba, just that it is a small communist country that until recently was controlled by Fidel Castro, and now his brother is in control. Since the early 1960’s the island was been off limits to the average American. But Wanda St. Hilaire is a Canadian, and as such, Cuba is a fairly popular tourist destination. Wanda is a sales and marketing representative who has a penchant for travel in Latin countries, and some pretty interesting theories on men and love.
The last minute cancellation of of vacation to Mexico leaves Wanda in a dilemma and she decides to explore the wonders of Cuba, the culture, and of course the men!
The Cuban Chronicles is written as if a letter to a friend. It is an account of the tourism of Cuba, and the difficulties that Cuban citizens must endure. Cubans are not allowed to go inside hotels, much less stay in them; Taxis are segregated for Cubans and tourists as well. Even the money is segregated, and unlawful for the Cubans to possess the money set aside for tourist.
It is on this visit that she meets a Cuban man, Paulo. Handsome and educated, yet he lives in poverty, and Wanda is taken into his situation. Plans are made to return to Cuba during the Christmas holiday. Returning to Canada they maintain a long distance love affair via the phone and occasional email. There is to be a much anticipated reunion this time though the plan is not to stay in a hotel, (because Cubans are subject to arrest if using hotels) but rather a private rented apartment.
Even before leaving for the Christmas of a lifetime Wanda is beginning to have some misgivings, little things are beginning to bother her. Paulo is most certainly a taker rather than a giver, he has some great
plans for the vacation, but all seem to rest on Wanda’s money. Paulo clearly viewed Wanda as his meal ticket out of Cuba.
The Cuba Chronicles is an interesting book, and one that operates on several levels. You can read it as a straight story, a novel of an independent woman’s view on life. You can also read it and see the darker side of human nature at work. It was this view that I took. Be very careful when engaging in long distance love affairs. In my mind I was thinking, how can this woman sleep around with such abandon? She certainly didn’t seem extremely choosy.
It is an eye opening account of how a communist country keeps its citizens under control.
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