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46 pages 1 hour read

Anna In The Tropics

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2003

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Book Brief

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Nilo Cruz

Anna In The Tropics

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2003
Book Details
Pages

132

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Tampa, Florida • 1920s

Publication Year

2003

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

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

Reviews & Readership

4.1

2,301 ratings

62%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Anna In The Tropics?

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.

4.1

2,301 ratings

62%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Character List

Santiago

A cigar factory owner in his late fifties who grapples with personal issues and familial conflicts, particularly related to his gambling and drinking habits, during the Prohibition era.

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.

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.

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 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.

Conchita’s husband, who is depicted as troubled by financial and marital issues, and struggles with the challenges of his infidelity and familial obligations.

A charismatic lector from Cuba whose presence in the factory influences personal relationships and ignites emotional responses among the characters.

A minor character who hosts cockfights locally, providing a setting for Santiago and Cheché's leisure activities.

Book Details
Pages

132

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Tampa, Florida • 1920s

Publication Year

2003

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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