Find Me in Havana

Trigger warnings: suicide, misogyny, war, violence, child molestation, kidnapping, rape, murder

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The story of famous Cuban actress Estelita Rodriguez and her American-born daughter Nina.

The story is told by both mother and daughter, beginning with mom Estelita Rodriguez's upbringing in Cuba in the 1930s. She lives through the Cuban Revolution and dreams of going to America. She begins singing on the radio and in Havana nightclubs before she is discovered, eventually becoming a famous actress in America.

Estelita's daughter Nina is born in America and doesn't feel Cuban. She looks back on her childhood with a mother she admired but didn't really understand. Her mother's career and poor choices have made Nina's life harder than it needed to be.

Estelita makes the mistake of bringing Nina to Cuba when she hears her father is ill, and they end up stuck in Castro's Cuba in a house frequently visited by Che Guevara. Estelita famously died at 37 in California of unknown causes, but this book gives an explanation for what may have happened to her.

This novel was not at all what I expected based on the blurb on the cover. It's billed as a family story about the "sensational life" of a golden age actress, but there is much more in this novel. It's a study of how war kills the spirits of innocents and a detailed look at a complicated maternal relationship. It ends as a murder mystery that may never be solved.

Estelita and Nina each have their own narrator, which helps to differentiate between each woman's story. Frankie Corzo convincingly portrays both the innocence of a child and Nina's moments of being wise beyond her years.

Recommended for fans of family sagas. Those interested in the Cuban Revolution or Hollywood biographies may also enjoy parts of the story.

Serena Burdick is a bestselling author of historical fiction. She lives in Massachusetts.

Publisher: Harlequin Audio

Narrators: Marisol Ramirez & Frankie Corzo

Running Time: 10 hours, 21 minutes

Release Date: January 12, 2021

I received an electronic audio recording of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.