Lonely Planet: Enduring Cuba

IntriguedbythemanydisparateviewsofCuba,ZoeBranvisitsthecountryofcontradictionsand,interweavinghistoryandcurrentevents,personalandwiderviewpoints,shepaintsavividandcompellingpictureofcontemporaryCuba.Shefindsalandthathaslittleincommonwiththetouristimageoftropicalparadise,encounteringadifferentcountrywhosepeoplerevealanindividualityandtenacityatonceastonishingandhumbling.ZoeBranhasalwaysbeenfascinatedbythegapbetweentheidealsoftheworld'ssocialistcountriesandthearduoushand-to-mouthstrugglesofthepeoplewholiveinthem.Castro'sCubaisoneofthelastsuchplacesonearth.SeekingtounderstandtherealitiesofCubatoday,Zoetravelsthelengthofthisbeautifulisland.Beneaththesurfaceofmusicanddancing,cockfightsandanimalsacrifice,shefindsalandofcomplexambiguities:afertilelandwheremanyhunger;aneducatedcountrywithscantknowledgeoftheoutsideworld,anationexhaustedbysocialismbutproudofitsindependenceandhistoryofrevolutionarystruggle.FromHavanatothepastoralhinterland,Zoetalkswithwritersandartists,withexpatriates,withcommittedrevolutionariesandthosedesperatetoescapeabroad.EnduringCubapresentsakaleidoscopeofCubaanditspeople,whosetenacityandenduranceisatonceastonishingandhumbling.