6 Unmissable Books about Cuba, Discovering Cuba through Literature

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by letygoeson26, Jan, 2024Cuba, Travel Trends

Unmissable books about Cuba. If you are planning a trip to Cuba, take a moment to explore your destination with these books I recommend. I am sure they will take you right to the heart of the island. Get ready to immerse yourself in tales that smell of sea, tobacco and Latin rhythms, but with a bittersweet flavour.

If you want to discover Cuba more sincerely, nothing is more enriching than reading some of the books that tell of its history, culture, and the daily challenges of its people. The books about Cuba that I recommend offer a unique insight into the island, from its revolutionary myths to its most intimate and personal stories, allowing you to explore the contradictions and beauties of this fascinating country.
Reading these books is like trying to understand an island that vibrates with life and different stories. Each page brings you closer to a world that never ceases to surprise.

From political struggles to daily life, from the music that pervades the streets to the difficult economic reality, these books are a passport to a better understanding of Cuba, its past, present, and indomitable spirit.

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Why reading books about Cuba can improve your trip

Reading novels or insights about Cuba is a perfect way to enter the soul of the island. Through stories and testimonies, you can discover the meaning of the Cuban calor, the weight of history, and the nuances of a unique culture.

Even I felt a bit disoriented by some aspects, like the duality between tourism and local life. Reading these authors helped me to better understand the context, bridging many perplexities, like the dual currency system or the profound value of music and dance.
It is like having a silent guide who reveals to you what at first glance you might miss…. and believe me, something will certainly escape you!

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The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Let’s begin with a timeless classic. The story, simple yet profound, tells of an old fisherman who ventures out to sea to catch a fish. After three days of struggle, he succeeds in his endeavor, but on the journey back, sharks devour his prize, leaving him to return empty-handed.

Despite its simplicity, the novel tackles universal themes such as courage, determination, the fight against surrender, dignity, and the relationship between man and nature. It also portrays the harsh and authentic life of Cuban fishermen, a source of inspiration for the writing of the work.

Hemingway, in fact, wrote the book during his stay in Cuba, where he often went out to sea with his boat to fish for marlin and barracuda. This novel, with its essential plot, played a decisive role in awarding the Nobel Prize to one of the greatest American writers.

Dirty Havana Trilogy by Pedro Juan Gutiérrez

This book is not for the faint-hearted, but if you want to discover the rawest and most real side of Cuba, it’s a must-read. Cuba, often associated with postcard-perfect images of Varadero and the Malecón in Havana, hides a more complex and harsh reality, especially during the 1990s when the end of Soviet support worsened the island’s economic struggles. Pedro Juan Gutiérrez captures this gritty Cuba in his Dirty Havana Trilogy, portraying a world of poverty, prostitution, alcoholism, and dreams of escaping to the United States.

Through the experiences of his alter ego, Pedro Juan, the resilience of the Cuban people also emerges—deeply connected to their homeland despite everything. Gutiérrez observes without judgment, raising profound questions about the human condition and offering an authentic portrayal of an island caught between suffering and a deep love for its roots.

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Havana Real by Yoani Sánchez

Yoani Sánchez, an atypical dissident, doesn’t openly criticize the Cuban regime but instead describes the daily life under communism on her blog. She recounts the struggles of grocery shopping, hunger, the constant need to repair broken items, and the effort to uncover real news hidden within propaganda. She writes about the terror of police summons, the worry for those imprisoned, the longing for those who have fled, and the disappointment in those who have lost hope.

With a mix of tenderness and anger, Yoani dismantles the myth of Castro’s efficiency and gives voice to the frustrations of her generation, trapped in an unattainable utopia. Her blog, which has captivated audiences worldwide, has now become a book.

The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara

“The Che’s diary” recounts the journey of two young Argentinians, Ernesto Guevara and Alberto Granado, across Latin America in 1951. Riding their battered motorcycle, “La Poderosa,” they embark on an adventure that reveals not only the continent’s beauty but also its poverty and social injustices. Guevara’s diary is a story of personal growth and political awakening, exploring daily struggles, hardship, and the fight for change.

This book is essential for understanding Guevara’s worldview and ideological roots, offering a fresh and authentic perspective on the social challenges of Latin America. A must-read for anyone eager to explore not just the geography, but also the human reality of these places.

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Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas

This poignant memoir by Reinaldo Arenas is a raw and powerful testimony of his life in Cuba, marked by political repression and discrimination for his homosexuality. Arenas narrates with both poetry and clarity his love for freedom, his struggles under the Castro regime, and the painful exile that took him far from his homeland.

It is a work that explores the darker side of Cuba but does so with a voice that never loses its longing to dream. An intimate and unforgettable portrait of a suffocating yet vibrant Cuba, capable of deeply moving its readers.

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Immersing yourself in these books about Cuba means embarking on an imaginary journey to an island full of contrasts, where every corner tells a different story. Their pages and authors transport you through the dusty, colorful streets of Havana, make you feel the rhythm of music echoing everywhere, and take you to the most remote and authentic parts of Cuba.

Not only will you discover the revolutionary myths that have shaped its history, but also the intimate, everyday lives of its people, filled with dreams, sacrifices, and resilience.

What about you? Have you read any of these books about Cuba, or do you have others to recommend?
Share your experience in the comments: every Cuban story is a journey worth sharing!