46 pages • 1 hour read
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132
Play • Fiction
Tampa, Florida • 1920s
2003
Adult
18+ years
Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz centers on a Cuban family in a Florida cigar factory during the Prohibition Era, dealing with tensions between tradition and modernization. The arrival of a new lector, Juan Julian, sparks transformative events and challenges, including love affairs and personal conflicts, ultimately highlighting the power and impact of literature and tradition. This play contains instances of sexual assault and violence.
Romantic
Emotional
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
2,301 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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Anna In The Tropics by Nilo Cruz is lauded for its lyrical prose and rich evocation of 1920s Cuban-American cigar factory life. The play explores themes of love, tradition, and change through compelling characters. Some critics note uneven pacing and melodramatic elements but overall, it captivates audiences with its emotional depth and historical resonance.
Readers who relish vibrant storytelling set against rich cultural backdrops will find Anna In The Tropics captivating. Fans of works like Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge and August Wilson's Fences will appreciate the play's exploration of familial conflict, love, and tradition within the Cuban-American cigar industry.
2,301 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Cheché
Santiago's half-brother who is more American than Cuban and manages the cigar factory, holding a significant and often tension-filled role within the family dynamics.
Ofelia
Santiago's wife who holds a strong position within the household, both as a mother and a defender of traditional values, often clashing with her husband's practices and Cheché’s modern ideas.
Marela
The twenty-two-year-old daughter of Santiago and Ofelia, known for her idealism and innocence, which play a significant role in her interactions with her family and others around her.
Conchita
Conchita is Santiago and Ofelia’s thirty-two-year-old daughter who navigates a complicated marriage with Palomo, seeking balance and personal fulfillment through a transformative affair.
Palomo
Conchita’s husband, who is depicted as troubled by financial and marital issues, and struggles with the challenges of his infidelity and familial obligations.
Juan Julian
A charismatic lector from Cuba whose presence in the factory influences personal relationships and ignites emotional responses among the characters.
Eliades
A minor character who hosts cockfights locally, providing a setting for Santiago and Cheché's leisure activities.
132
Play • Fiction
Tampa, Florida • 1920s
2003
Adult
18+ years
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