[DUB]≫ PDF Cuba Diaries An American Housewife in Havana Isadora Tattlin 9780767914840 Books

Cuba Diaries An American Housewife in Havana Isadora Tattlin 9780767914840 Books

Download As PDF : Cuba Diaries An American Housewife in Havana Isadora Tattlin 9780767914840 Books

Cuba Diaries An American Housewife in Havana Isadora Tattlin 9780767914840 Books

I traveled to Cuba as a tourist in 2004 and wished I knew about this book before my trip. Almost six years later, I found myself transported back to a place that hasn't changed much since 1959. Or so I thought that was the case when I went to Cuba. From Tattlin's book, I can see how Cuba changed from the time she was in there in the mid-1990s until I went ten years later. My favorite parts of her book are when she talks to Cubans and they remember some food item they had from before the revolution. Those scenes made me want to cry. I thought this would just be a book about a sterotypical expat wife, but instead Tattlin immerses herself in the Cuban art world and also travels to remote areas in Cuba where most expats probably wouldn't dare venture.

I loved her honesty, her attempt to keep her sanity, and her revelations of being cheated, yet not wanting to make a big deal about it. I've always taken a sympathetic view toward Cuba and placed blame for its problems on the embargo. But after reading Cuba Diaries, I can see how it's worked both ways and how the embargo has suited the Castro brothers quite well all these years.

For anyone contemplating a trip to Cuba, I recommend this book highly. You will get a perspective of a place that is slowly changing and will appreciate how far it's come in the last 15 years.


Tags : Cuba Diaries: An American Housewife in Havana [Isadora Tattlin] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Isadora Tattlin was accustomed to relocating often for her husband’s work. But when he accepted a post in Cuba in the early 1990s,Isadora Tattlin,Cuba Diaries: An American Housewife in Havana,Broadway Books,0767914848,Cuba - Description and travel,Cuba - Economic conditions,Cuba - Social conditions,Cuba;Description and travel.,Cuba;Economic conditions.,Cuba;Social conditions.,Tattlin, Isadora,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Women,Biography & Autobiography Personal Memoirs,Biography Autobiography,Biography: general,Caribbean & West Indies,Cuba,Description and travel,Economic conditions,Essays,Essays & Travelogues,General Adult,History Caribbean & West Indies General,Non-Fiction,Social conditions,TRAVEL,Travel Essays & Travelogues,TravelCaribbean & West Indies,TravelEssays & Travelogues,Women

Cuba Diaries An American Housewife in Havana Isadora Tattlin 9780767914840 Books Reviews

Yes, this is a book regarding a time and place of long ago, but, given the pace of change in Cuba, I think much of what is written here ( and often with an edgy wit ) still applies. A view of Cuban life and society, one from a position of privilege, which is different than the norm.
A great book. A wonderful autobiographical account of an expat, a diplomat's wife, in Cuba during Cuba's depression post the fall of the USSR. This setting takes place 2-5 yrs before Castro reluctantly opened Cuba up to tourism.
After reading most all of the reviews of this book....I knew that it was either going to be a hit or a miss. Since I have read the book now, I have recommended it to every single friend that I know. What an awesome description of living life in Cuba. Cuba has always held my interest, and this was the most telling human side of living in Cuba that I have ever read. I would recommend this book over and over again. I certainly wish that, not for the lack of guessing, where the family went next, and why isn't there another diary about the rest of their travels. Certainly a great read for book clubs, wonderful dinner conversations can be had about this book and in general, what an appealing writing style. Straight from the diary to us, I LOVE IT!
Very informative. Only this book was copyrighted in 2002. My trip to Cuba is in 2016. I wonder how much has changed in those 14 years. I wish I could find a similar book that was more up to date as Cuba, is opening up to tourism from the US much more.
A very interesting read about Cuba Diaries An American Housewife in Havana...They see a very hardworking, very inventive, much love for their families and their Country. They want more out of life and they want to attain a better life for themselves and their children. This is a very loving, faithful, sad, humble, colorful history of some of the history in Havana and the American Housewife learned many adventures of life in Cuba.
I just finished reading Tattlin's diary entries in preparation for a 2013 trip to Cuba. Fascinating. Nothwithstanding that much is changing in Cuba, I suspect the truth of stratified life in Cuba still exists. I appreciated her ability (most of the time) to let the reader form their own opinion of what she describes, particularly when it comes to actions of other diplomats and visitors. But as she enters her third and fourth years in Cuba, she becomes more open about her frustrations with the 'system' and the lack of help for 'everyday' Cubans. A very worthwhile read.
I read 'Cuba Diaries' by "Isadora Tattlin" (pen name) a month ago and was compelled to write about it today as I look at various stories circulating on the Web about Fidel's broken kneecap (filed under the humorous title 'The Fall of Castro'). I loved Tattlin's book and so has everyone else who I've recommended it to. Others may criticize it as being the boring diary of a housewife with not much to say, but I think that misses the point. More than any other book I've read about Cuba, 'Diaries' seems to put you squarely in Havana by showing you the challenges of every day life. Granted, Tattlin and family are not every day Cubans - she's quite frank about her life of (comparative) privilege...but she does give you a true sense of how all Cubans must survive on guile and wit.

Additionally, I was fascinated by the way Tattlin chose to mask the identity of herself and husband 'Nick' described as being born in 'X' and then constantly referring to Nick's X-ian background, his X-ian associates, speaking X-ian to their children. I know you're thinking - boy, that must be annoying. It's not - I found myself intrigued and beguiled by the whole thing - trying to piece together what country it could possibly be (Eastern European is as close as I could come - and I'm not guaranteeing that's right).

Plus, as an added bonus there's a dinner at the Tattlin's house with Fidel as a guest. That chapter alone ought to make you buy the book - simply fascinating the details she imparts there...like Fidel arriving (in a phalanx of limos mind you) and immediately insisting on using the mirror as he enters the house. He stands there combing his hair (for over a minute!) while the hired help looks on raptorously (and the Tattlins think "what the...."?). There are tons of small observations like that one that make 'Diaries' a truly great read.
I traveled to Cuba as a tourist in 2004 and wished I knew about this book before my trip. Almost six years later, I found myself transported back to a place that hasn't changed much since 1959. Or so I thought that was the case when I went to Cuba. From Tattlin's book, I can see how Cuba changed from the time she was in there in the mid-1990s until I went ten years later. My favorite parts of her book are when she talks to Cubans and they remember some food item they had from before the revolution. Those scenes made me want to cry. I thought this would just be a book about a sterotypical expat wife, but instead Tattlin immerses herself in the Cuban art world and also travels to remote areas in Cuba where most expats probably wouldn't dare venture.

I loved her honesty, her attempt to keep her sanity, and her revelations of being cheated, yet not wanting to make a big deal about it. I've always taken a sympathetic view toward Cuba and placed blame for its problems on the embargo. But after reading Cuba Diaries, I can see how it's worked both ways and how the embargo has suited the Castro brothers quite well all these years.

For anyone contemplating a trip to Cuba, I recommend this book highly. You will get a perspective of a place that is slowly changing and will appreciate how far it's come in the last 15 years.