51 pages • 1 hour read
400
Novel • Fiction
Havana, Cuba • 1950s; Contemporary
2018
Adult
18+ years
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton alternates between 2017, when Cuban-American journalist Marisol Ferrera travels to Cuba to scatter her grandmother Elisa's ashes, and 1958-1959, when Elisa, daughter of sugar barons, falls in love with revolutionary Pablo amid the upheaval of Fidel Castro's rise to power. While uncovering her grandmother's past through letters, Marisol navigates her own love story with Luis Rodriguez, amidst the political tension of contemporary Cuba. The book includes themes of political oppression and trauma.
Nostalgic
Romantic
Emotional
Contemplative
Bittersweet
157,647 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Next Year In Havana by Chanel Cleeton captivates with its richly woven tale of love, loss, and identity, set against the backdrop of Cuban history. Readers praise its evocative prose and dual timeline narrative. However, some feel the pacing drags in parts, and certain plot twists seem predictable. Overall, it is a compelling read, resonant with cultural poignancy.
A reader who enjoys Next Year In Havana by Chanel Cleeton would likely appreciate well-researched historical fiction blended with romance and political intrigue, akin to works like The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. This reader seeks evocative settings, rich cultural backdrops, and multigenerational narratives.
157,647 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Novel • Fiction
Havana, Cuba • 1950s; Contemporary
2018
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.