CubaTrade-April2017-FLIPBOOK

BOOK REVIEW
INTERPRETING THE
MYSTIQUE OF HAVANA
One of the greatest charms of former
Chicago Tribune Caribbean correspondent
Mark Kurlansky’s Havana: A Subtropical
Delirium, is that it’s not quite a book on
the history of Havana, but rather, the
history of Havana-isms.
Instead of segmenting five centuries
of the city’s history into chapters that
follow chronological order, Kurlansky
wrote fifteen short chapters (including an
epilogue and prologue) on themes that
have shaped the identity of modern Havana.
These themes include the complicated
relationship Habaneros have with the sea
that hugs their beloved Malecón, the ways
mulatas (women with black and white ancestry)
have charmed locals and foreigners
alike, and the growing pains of nationalizing
industries that were prosperous before
the Revolution.
Havana: A Subtropical Delirium also
succeeds in distancing itself from discussing
the city’s clichés. The work doesn’t
dedicate itself to reiterating the often-repeated
tales of the CIA allegedly trying
to send Fidel Castro exploding cigars.
Instead, it focuses on Castro’s infatuation
with ice cream and his efforts to get
96 CUBATRADE APRIL 2017
Mark Kurlansky’s Havana:
A Subtropical Delirum offers an
intimate look into what makes
Havana a city like no other
By Nick Swyter
Vedado’s iconic Coppelia ice cream parlor
off the ground. Kurlansky also doesn’t
dedicate entire chapters to Ernest Hemingway’s
time in Havana. Rather, the book
discusses modern Havana’s obsession with
the legendary writer and what happened
to papa’s housekeeper after he died and
Castro tightened his hold on Cuba.
The result is a book that strays from
repeating what most already know about
Havana, and instead tells the origins of
the city’s unique cultural characteristics.
While the book includes original drawings,
recipes, and historic photos, Kurlansky
truly captures the pulse of Havana by
showcasing the works of influential Cuban
writers. They are referenced so often—
and to such great effect—that the book’s
dedication reads: “To Cuban writers, those
who opposed the Revolution, those who
supported it, and those who did both.”
Kurlansky references the poems
of revolutionary leader José Martí to
showcase the yearning for a free Cuba in
the late 19th century. He also cites Cirilo
Villaverde’s Cecilia Valdés to explain the
social ills created by slavery in Cuba. The
detective novels of Leonardo Padura are
also included to show how literature that
doesn’t paint Cuba in a positive light will
sometimes be tolerated.
Showing Havana through the
eyes of writers, rather than academic
historians, also has the effect of painting
multilayered portraits of the city.
The book doesn’t skimp on imagery.
Kurlansky, and the writers he references,
illustrate the yellow hues of Havana’s
crumbling buildings and the violet
of the sea during daybreak. Readers
will also appreciate the description of
Cuba’s unbearable sun, as well as the
omnipresent sweat––and the shade that
Habaneros use to beat the heat.
Havana is a city known for inspiring
different reactions from nearly everyone
who visits. They range from romanticism
to frustration. Throughout history, countless
people have found beauty in Havana’s
chaos. Others have shown outrage
towards the city’s leadership—whether it
was Spanish, American, or a member of
the Castro family. Kurlansky’s guide to
Havana is an entertaining collage of the
attitudes that have existed throughout its
five-century history. H
EDITORIAL
CALENDAR 2017
JANUARY- FEBRUARY
Economic Predictions
Top Economic thinkers from US
Universities and Think Tanks
MARCH
The Embargo Issue
Where US Congressmen
and Senators line up on
the question
APRIL
High Tech Cuba
Software, telecom, biomed and
pharmaceuticals
MAY
The Tourism Issue
A look at the hospitality industry as
it expands in Cuba: Hotel chains,
cruise lines, private B&Bs, air transport,
travel companies, etc
JUNE
The Cuba Advisors
A comprehensive guide to the top
lawyers and consultants for doing
business in Cuba, from law firms to
lobbyists to economists
JULY
Cuba’s Luxury Brands
Cigars, rum, coffee and fashion, a
look at Cuba’s luxury goods, and
how the Cuba brand has grown
worldwide
AUGUST
The Logistics Issue
How to move things in and out of
Cuba, the top transport providers,
and in-depth looks at the ports of
Mariel and Santiago
SEPTEMBER
The Energy Issue
Leading sectors emerging in the
near future, from oil to renewables
OCTOBER
The Cuba 100
The top multinational corps doing
business in Cuba
NOVEMBER
The Agriculture Issue
From US exports of rice, wheat and
corn, to Cuba exports of organics
DECEMBER
Foreign Direct Investment
The top sectors–and Cuban priorities–for
foreign investment
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