Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town

by Ana Hebra Flaster

In this sweeping, historical, yet intimate memoir, the author details her family’s transformation from pro-Castro revolutionaries in a scrappy Havana barrio to refugees in a New Hampshire mill town—a timeless and timely tale of loss and reinvention.

Ana Hebra Flaster was six years old when her working-class family was kicked out of their Havana barrio for opposing communism. Once devoted revolutionaries themselves but disillusioned by the Castro government’s repressive tactics, they fled to the US. The permanent losses they suffered—of home, country, and loved ones, all within forty-eight hours—haunted her multigenerational family as they reclaimed their lives and freedom in 1967 New Hampshire. There, they fed each other stories of their scrappy barrio—some of which Hebra Flaster has shared on All Things Considered—to resurrect their lost world and fortify themselves for a daunting building a new life in a foreign land.

Weaving pivotal events in Cuba–US history with her "viejos"—elders’—stories of surviving political upheaval, impossible choices, and “refugeedom,” Property of the Revolution celebrates the indomitable spirit and wisdom of the women warriors who led the family out of Cuba, shaped its rebirth as Cuban Americans, and helped Ana grow up hopeful, future-facing—American.

But what happens when deeply buried childhood memories resurface, demanding an adult’s reckoning? Here’s how the fiercest love, the most stubborn will, and the power of family put nine new Americans back on their feet.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 22, 2025

About the author

Ana Hebra Flaster was five years old when her family fled post-revolutionary Cuba in 1967. The child-refugee experience and the family’s assimilation in New Hampshire have inspired her articles, essays, and reviews, which have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and other online and print media. Her commentaries and short stories have been included in anthologies and on NPR’s national broadcasts of All Things Considered and Weekend Edition, and PBS’s Moth-style television program, Stories from the Stage.

Ana also shares her work through speaking engagements at high schools, universities, libraries, and in productions like the International Institute of New England’s “Suitcase Stories” and the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art's “When Home Won’t Let You Stay.”

In 2022, the Cintas Foundation selected Ana as one of five finalists for its Fellowship in Creative Writing, an international writing competition. In the fall of 2023, PROPERTY OF THE REVOLUTION was selected as a finalist in Restless Book’s New Immigrant Writing Prize and She Writes Press’s STEP Prize.

When Ana is not writing she can be found floating on New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee, digging in her garden, or making paella for her 27-person Cuban American clan. After more than 40 years in the Boston area, Ana recently moved back home to New Hampshire with her husband, Andy, and their two Havanese pups, Luna and Beny Moré.

PROPERTY OF THE REVOLUTION (Pub. Date: April 22, 2025)
First Place (2024-2025)
International Book Awards, Creative Nonfiction
Discovery Book Awards, Nonfiction (overall)
Firebird Book Award, Narrative Nonfiction
Firebird Book Award, Multicultural
Literary Global, Nonfiction Narrative

Finalist (2024-2025)
Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Historical Nonfiction
Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Memoir-Historical-Legacy
Literary Titan Gold Book Award, Nonfiction
American Writing Awards, Nonfiction
Indies Today, Inspirational

Reviews

[Bronwen Stec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Incredible story!

[Caroline Van Kimmenaede · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Highly recommend!

[Maria McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a gift to me. My father was a Cuban immigrant who never wanted to talk about his life growing up there or how he got to the United States. He also never talked about any of the struggles, hardships, or joys of living in America and eventually becoming a citizen. The author’s family left Cuba within a couple years of my father leaving, so this beautifully written story gave me some insight into what he went through and what he was feeling. My family spent a couple years also living on Hunt Street in Nashua, so I really enjoyed reading those scenes as well.

As if all that wasn’t enough, the book itself is such excellent quality, it was a pleasure to hold and turn the thick pages.

Thank you, Ana Hebra Flaster, for this beautiful personal story told with love and heart.

[Ohdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to She Writes Press and NetGalley for this E-Arc. All opinions are my own.

Property of the revolution was a book I really wanted to read. As the child and grandchild of Cuban immigrants that were staunchly anti-Castro it was honestly in a sense brave to admit that her family supported the revolution and after it passed realized that they were wrong in that support. As someone who grew up in Miami that wasn't always the case with all those who came, so I sincerely respect the author for being truthful in what her family's contribution to the revolution was.

That being said the book was done well. Intermingling with the growing up in America the author mixes what the viejos went through and saw as the revolution came into power. We saw the struggle of trying to be an American while also staying with and growing somewhat apart from your homelands culture/expectations. Overall, this book gave me questions to ask my family that I never thought to and the beautiful quote of stories being our heirlooms because of everything our viejos had to leave behind. Do I think this is a deep dive about the communist revolution of Cuba/ramifications of what it brought to an island that was once the teacup of gold in the Caribbean- no. Is this book subjective and doesn't cover every angle-100%, but does it give an insight on what it means to start new and try to remain part of your culture- 100% too.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six-year-old Ana suffered profound loss and trauma that she did not fully understand until she was an adult with children of her own. This memoir, describing her family's emigration from Castro's Cuba, is heartbreaking yet heartwarming. It describes how three generations of Ana's family left everything behind to start over in America. Learn how, with Abuela's guidance, Ana held tight to her Cuban roots by immersing her children in their heritage. I felt like I was in the room with "the mothers" as the family struggled to make a home in New Hampshire. Ana Hebra Flaster's book is unapologetically honest. She does not hold back when describing the racism her family experienced. However, at the end of the book, what was left for me was the love, forgiveness, empathy, resilience, and generosity, which is the foundation of her upbringing. Fans of Solito, The Glass Castle, Maid and Educated will love this beautiful book.

Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town—A Cuban American Memoir by Ana Hebra Flaster

Available for preorder!
https://www.simonandschuster.com/book...

[Buely · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing memoir beautifully written, I didn’t want to put it down. Ana weaves her family’s journey from Castro Cuba to New Hampshire, their struggles to leave their homeland and then settling in to American life without losing their much loved Cuban culture. What a beautiful family!

[Natalia McLoud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still in the process of reading this book, but I already can’t put it down. From the very beginning, it feels like I’m not just reading a story, I’m in it. The author does a beautiful job weaving together themes of family, culture, determination, and bravery. Every chapter is has a sense of authenticity and heart. It’s funny in just the right places, deeply heartwarming, and full of moments that make you pause and reflect. I highly recommend this book and cannot say enough wonderful things about it.

[Robert F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe how much I loved this book. Definitely one of the best I’ve read! Inspiring, heartfelt, and beautifully written. I would love to see it as a major motion picture!

[Rebecka · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Property of the Revolution is one of those rare memoirs that feels both deeply intimate and wildly relatable. Ana Hebra Flaster writes with such honesty, warmth, and sharp wit that I often found myself laughing on one page and tearing up on the next.

Spanning from her family’s life in Cuba to their new reality in a New Hampshire mill town, this memoir explores themes of identity, loss, culture shock, and resilience. One of the things I loved most was how Flaster weaves her own coming-of-age with the story of her mother’s life before she was born. It adds so much depth and generational insight—showing how inherited trauma, cultural expectations, and survival shaped not only her, but the women before her. The way she moves back and forth between their lives felt so natural and rich, like hearing two stories in conversation with each other.

And her voice? Vibrant and full of life—whether she’s reflecting on grief, faith, and belonging, or recounting the hilarious moment when her Tío unknowingly ate cat food and later said “Meoww…” without ever taking his eyes off the TV. (That scene had me cackling.)

There are so many lines that stuck with me:

“For people like my parents, who had little material wealth to lose, the payments were the grandfathers, the aunts, and the lifelong friends that they left behind and never saw again.”

“I wanted to be brave, like Tia and Mami, who were strong even when they were weak—like when they cried in their rooms by themselves so we wouldn’t be scared. But I wasn’t brave; I was scared. So every night, I fought to stay downstairs at bedtime, angering Mami, who lacked patience in those days.”

“This culture will never be mine, she told herself, but maybe my children will fell it as theirs. They’ll study and build careers and live their lives in it. As long as they can take the good and leave the bad, as long as they hold on to our values and this country stays free, it will have all been worth the effort.”

This isn’t just a memoir—it’s a time capsule of a family’s journey, a love letter to their chaos, and a reflection on what it means to belong to more than one world at once. If you enjoy memoirs that blend raw truth with humor and heart, Property of the Revolution is one you shouldn’t miss.

[Jared Exter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

no me lo creo! a beautiful story

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fascinating and complicated new memoir, readers follow Ana Hebra Flaster as her family is evicted from their home in Havana for opposing communism. Disillusioned and in danger, they flee to the United States and suffer permanent losses within a horrifyingly short time period, causing trauma to her multigenerational family. In rebuilding their lives in New Hampshire and trying to keep their Cuban heritage alive, Hebra and her family must start anew in the United States. Combining Cuban and American history with family stories and the struggles of political refugees in rebuilding their lives, readers discover how Hebra and her family relied on the women in the family and how they reshaped their lives to be hopeful for their new futures. Brilliantly written, powerful, and emotional, readers will love the complex family and narrative threads in this novel and the incredible stories that members of this family share with each other to keep their culture and traditions alive. The characters are the star of this memoir, and Hebra’s understanding of her life at the time and the politics involved really pull readers into the story. Unique, complex, and deeply moving, readers will love this brilliant new memoir and its stories about a Cuban family’s migration to and new start in the US.

Thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the advance copy.

[Walt Trachim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was listened to on Audible. And I don’t know where to begin.

It was almost impossible to stop listening once I started. Her account of life being turned upside down as a small child in Castro’s Cuba was gripping as was the struggle of having to face this trauma as an adult. She described some of her life experiences, from dealing with the difficulties of life in a place different from where she came from to attending a small but prestigious college in Massachusetts, among other things. It was an incredibly interesting experience to get a better understanding of what it’s like to be in that set of circumstances.

What stood out most was her description of her family and the love they had (and still have, I’m sure) for each other. It is truly what matters most.

Overall, this is a superb narrative, well-written, and thoughtfully told.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have had the privilege of knowing Ana since we were in our Sophomore year of high school in 1978. She was both intellectually formidable and really kind, especially to this new kid in a huge school who didn’t know anyone. That kindness has never been forgotten. And she is the right person to tell this story.

I highly recommend this book.

[Gale Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book especially because it’s true! I lived in the area in the US where the book takes place and I loved learning about the Cuban experience.

The author spoke last June nearby but I was out of town and missed it. I keep looking for opportunities to go see her.

[Literary Titan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Property of the Revolution, by Ana Hebra Flaster, is a poignant memoir that explores themes of political upheaval, migration, family, and the relentless passage of time. Set against the backdrop of Cuba’s chaotic regime, the book chronicles Ana and her family’s arduous journey to the United States and their struggle to adapt to a new life. At its core, it is a story of resilience. We see a father, burdened with responsibility, sacrificing his dreams and taking on tedious factory work to secure his family’s future. Flaster vividly recalls Cuba’s political turmoil—a PhD holder forced to abandon teaching, a man condemned to harsh labor camps in Camagüey for resisting military registration—grounding the narrative in sobering realities. Alongside this, the book traces Ana’s personal journey—her adjustment to life in America, her pursuit of education, her deep familial bonds, and her own experiences of motherhood.

Flaster’s memoir is rich with layers, blending personal anecdotes and political history into a seamless, engrossing narrative. It remains busy and dynamic, brimming with moments that compel the reader forward. From suspenseful accounts of political oppression to heartfelt recollections of her father’s sacrifices, the book pulses with life. I found myself deeply connected to Ana’s struggles, particularly when she speaks of longing to take an art class but feeling unable to justify such an expense. Growing up in a household shaped by financial instability, she leaned toward practical paths, forsaking artistic dreams in pursuit of security—a sentiment that resonates deeply with many readers.

The memoir flows like a symphony of interconnected stories, each piece harmonizing with the next. Flaster introduces a cast of intriguing characters who traverse contrasting cultural worlds. Some stories reveal the challenges of being a minority in the United States—navigating language barriers, facing bullies who judge differences, and grappling with a sense of displacement. Other sections transport readers to the stark and unforgiving realities of life in Cuba under a cruel regime. The narrative immerses us in the emotional weight of leaving one’s homeland, enduring separation from loved ones, and searching for missing family members. Through these tales, Flaster captures the raw experience of destabilization and the relentless quest for belonging.

Property of the Revolution is a testament to survival, offering readers an intimate look at lives shaped by political unrest and migration. Flaster’s ability to merge historical context with personal reflection creates a story that is both informative and deeply human. Her writing is engaging, her characters vividly drawn, and her themes universally relatable. This book is perfect for readers drawn to stories of resilience, political strife, and cultural transition. Fans of historical memoirs and narratives about overcoming adversity will find themselves captivated from start to finish. Flaster’s account is an immersive, character-rich journey that lingers long after the final page. I highly recommend this thought-provoking and beautifully written memoir.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ana Hebra Flaster's Property of the Revolution is a poignant and powerful memoir. This is an excellent book that masterfully weaves together several complex themes, creating a deeply moving and unforgettable reading experience.

At its heart, the book is a testament to the strength of family bonds. Flaster paints a vivid portrait of a close-knit family navigating the tumultuous landscape of political upheaval and cultural displacement. The narrative beautifully illustrates how these bonds are tested and ultimately strengthened by adversity, with a particular focus on the nuances of privacy within the family unit itself, as they navigate a world where trust is a precious commodity.

Flaster expertly captures the complexities of navigating different cultures. The family's journey from Cuba to the United States highlights the struggles and triumphs of adapting to a new environment while striving to maintain their cultural identity. The book provides valuable insight into the immigrant experience and the push and pull of assimilation.

Racism is another significant theme explored in the book. The author unflinchingly recounts the experiences of prejudice and discrimination faced by her family as they try to build a new life in the U.S. This exploration adds a crucial layer of depth and honesty to the narrative.

Moreover, I appreciate the insight that Property of the Revolution gives into the situation in Cuba during and after the revolution. It offers a personal perspective on the political climate, the societal changes, and the impact of these events on ordinary families. It illuminates the reasons behind their departure and the challenges they faced in leaving.

Property of the Revolution is a beautifully written and deeply movingmemoir. The author's prose is both evocative and insightful, drawing the reader into her family's world and making their experiences feel immediate and visceral. This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in stories of resilience, family, the immigrant experience, and gaining a deeper understanding of Cuban history and its impact on individuals.

[Karen Glickstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book which I initially heard about because the author and I went to Smith College together. What a fabulous read--especially over the Fourth of July weekend (yes, i read it in about three days). The author has an incredible way with words--and her story of family and of freedom--and also of the way in which matriarchs are the important glue that often ties generations together, rang especially true to me--the daughter of an immigrant who grew up in an entirely different culture but one in which expectations were similar. In the process of reading the book, I learned so much about Ana--but also about Cuba--and the difficult circumstances that still exist scores of years later.

So many lessons here. A few of my favorites: "They wanted what all people want: Freedom from fear and hunger. And liberty."

And, this one which could have equally been written (absent the part about the rosary-praying which would have to be changed to something more akin to "Kosher keeping") about my immigrant grandmother (who unlike Ana's abuela did frequently drill me if I was even thinking about dating someone who was not Jewish): "I'd thought this rosary-praying, hardcore Cuban vieja would at least drill me with questions about the souls of our future children. Instead, she opened up her old heart. I hadn't understood until then how much that heart had been shaped by immigration, another culture, the decades of incremental adjustments needed to create a new life in a new world."

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very curious for how someone makes the journey from Cuba...New Hampshire although I know that is not a totally impossible thing to happen. While I had never heard of the author, I was very interested in hearing about a journey like this. At the age of 6, Ana's family is kicked out of their barrio in Cuba for opposing communism. Her parents, who had become increasingly disillusioned with the government, decide to flee to the United States.

The memoir weaves back and forth through time, relating how her parents met, her childhood, adjusting to the United States with the culture shock/language barrier/etc. While Ana is relatively young and can adjust, she still has to face racism and bullies at school while her elders have to figure out how to support the family while also adjusting to the fact that they likely cannot go home again. Like many families in similar circumstances, they learn and grow, but it is not an easy transition.

It was okay. I personally hated the shifts in time. I also didn't think this was particularly interesting read overall. While this is a journey I am not familiar with (Cuba to New Hampshire), I also didn't find this particularly compelling as a memoir.

It could be just that it was not good fit for me. If you like memoirs, if you have a particular interest in Cuba, etc. then this might be a good read for you. Might be specifically useful if you are a scholar of Cuba, immigration, the Cuban diaspora , etc.

Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.

[Judy Blachek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This moving and powerful story touched me so much that I cried reading the last few pages.

Ana is 6 when her family finally receives permission from the Cuban government to leave the country, after waiting years to do so. Ana's parents, her younger brother, her grandmother, and an aunt and uncle with their two sons moved in together in Nashua, New Hampshire, where I now live.

The book alternates between Ana's memories of life in the United States and descriptions of living in Cuba during and after the revolution. Her parents initially were supporters of Castro until they realized that they had simply traded one brutal regime for another.

I realize now that I knew practically nothing about Cuba or the Cuban people. I learned a lot reading this book and fell in love with many of the people. Their love and devotion to each other, and to those they left behind, was so palpable to me. The book describes their immigration story and how it affected Ana later in life without her even realizing it.

This is a heroic tale and the story of many other immigrants, I'm sure. It's a story for our time as the United States government is torturing people who simply came here for freedom and refuge from authoritarian regimes. We are a nation of immigrants, and a better one for it. I hope that this book can encourage others to accept immigrants and all the gifts that they bring to our nation.

[Mark Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally it takes me weeks to finish a book, but I read Ana’s memoir in a single weekend. I could not put it down. And because I often wonder if online reviews are “real,” I want to be clear: I am a friend of Ana’s, and I am writing this review myself. This is a deep bow of gratitude to my friend for sharing the depths of her remarkable journey with such loving honesty and reverence for the story she knew needed to be told so that “we would never forget” and “we will always be connected.”

At its heart, this is a love story. A story of family, purpose, and resilience, interwoven with profound challenges, trauma, and healing. I was at times charmed, but also shocked, by the intimate truths Ana reveals about life in Cuba from the 1950s and 60s to today. Her writing is so vivid and heartfelt that I often felt like I was watching a documentary film.

Ana has opened her heart wide with this intimate memoir. I am deeply grateful to now hold a deeper understanding of who she is, and how the ethos of the multi-generational Cuban family structure offers a model of care, belonging, and interconnectedness that our world is yearning for today. At a time when immigrants and refugees face extraordinary challenges, Ana’s memoir provides a nuanced and powerful window into an experience that those of us born in the U.S. cannot fully understand.

This is an extraordinary story, beautifully told, one I would love to see brought to life as a film someday.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ Stars

Simply masterful!

Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town is not only a powerful story, but it is a true story, and shows the endurance to not just survive, but have a better, safer life. This is the first book I have read from this author. The title pulls you in, and if it doesn't, it should. Not only is the journey and fight, and how this family's transformed into something better for the entire family, but it is written masterfully. This reader gets the whole picture of the journey, and how it is told, brings you right in there. Even if you are unfamiliar with Cuba's revolution, and how determined migrants wanted to get to a safer place, this story tells it like it is, like it was. Impressive writing. Some of the pages, you end up reading slower than others, so not to miss anything. This book is worth five plus stars. Property of the Revolution is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.

[Megan Brame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ana Hebra Flaster's Property of the Revolution is a poignant memoir that chronicles her family's journey from revolutionary fervor in Cuba to the harsh realities of exile in New Hampshire. The book delves into the complexities of identity, loss, and the enduring power of family.
Hebra Flaster vividly recounts the tumultuous events that led to her family's forced departure from their beloved homeland. The stark contrast between their idealized vision of a communist utopia and the oppressive reality of Castro's regime is a powerful testament to the human cost of political ideology.
The author's evocative storytelling brings to life the challenges and sacrifices her family endured as they navigated the unfamiliar terrain of American culture. The resilience of her elders, particularly the women, is inspiring. Their unwavering determination to provide a better future for their children is a poignant reminder of the strength of the human spirit.
Property of the Revolution is a moving and thought-provoking memoir that offers a unique perspective on the Cuban diaspora. It's a story of hope, perseverance, and the enduring power of family bonds.

[Joan Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ana Hebra Flaster’s Property of the Revolution is more than just a memoir; it is a vivid, heart-wrenching bridge between two cultures. Flaster perfectly captures the "in-between" struggle that many children of immigrants face—the desperate itch to "Americanize" and fit in, clashing with the deep-rooted pull of a homeland left behind.

The heartbeat of this story is Flaster’s family. Even as she navigates the sharp edges of racism and the identity crises of youth, her viejos keep her grounded. Her family is loud, colorful, and fiercely loving, providing a warm contrast to the tightening grip of Castro’s regime described in the historical flashbacks.

The tension of the "stay or go" decision is riveting. Reading about the atrocities that occurred (and continue to occur) just south of our border brought me to tears. This is an unforgettable story of displacement and loss, but ultimately, it is a triumph of the human spirit. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true cost of freedom.

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Property of the Revolution is a powerful and heartbreaking read that explores the complexities of love for family and country. It tugs at the heartstrings of readers while offering insight into a country torn apart by a revolution and Fidel Castro, and what it meant to leave it all behind to become a refugee.

I am in awe of the author's heartfelt writing. Her vivid descriptions of the hardships she and her family endured in Cuba and the U.S. were told with love, respect, and compassion. The history of Cuba and Fidel's treatment of those who opposed him was insightful for me, as I knew very little about life there. The closeness of the family and the idiosyncrasies of each member popped off the page, adding a bit of humor. I especially loved her writing about the Cuba-ness her family continued to display even while living in the U.S.

This book is a gem that I highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for my paperback ARC.

[Vivian Iannotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story and a great read! As a 1st generation Cuban American this story brought me right back to my childhood in such a vivid way. Flaster articulates feelings that I recall having that I never named back then. Ana grows up feeling so comfortable in her Cuban culture at home but yet so unsettled and unsure of how it is perceived in the broader American culture into which she was desperately trying to assimilate. Superimpose these difficulties on the the inherent insecurities that come with adolescence and navigating the teenage years and one is left in awe of all Ana was able to achieve.
The story resonates today particularly given all the immigration issues at hand. Reminds one that no one wants to leave home. People leave home only when home is untenable. The Hebra family's story is one of bravery, strength, resilience, and love of family. A must read

[Brady Corbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to get an advanced copy of this inspiring memoir and can't recommend it enough. There are books that transport you into another world you instantly recognize and long for; Property of the Revolution is one of those rare gems.

The story pulls the reader into the landscape of exile, family, and an identity torn between two worlds. Ana Hebra Flaster's prose is crisp, lyrical, heartbreaking and funny as she takes us through her family's experience supporting, then fleeing the Cuban revolution, and ultimately overcoming adversity as they build a new life in the United States. 

This book will stay with you. It's themes and memories are universal for nearly anyone on earth who had to leave their country behind. 

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Property of the Revolution is an amazing and illuminating true story with so many layers: loss of family and home in Cuba combined with the hard work and determination—and ultimately triumph-- of making a new life in a new country. The challenges of navigating different cultures and loving and wanting both to be part of your life. The power and love of a family, and the strength of mothers and motherhood. Facing both overt and covert racism. The realities of post-revolutionary Cuba from people who experienced it—and who continue to live with its consequences to this day. All of this and more is woven into an engrossing, entertaining and beautifully written memoir that will hold your attention every page from beginning to end.

[Cynthia Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town—A Memoir, Ana Hebra Flaster brilliantly describes the trauma of leaving her home in Cuba at age six, resettling in the most opposite climate conceivable (New Hampshire), and the heart-rending loss of family left behind, property and home abandoned, dreams crushed. The story is an inside look at Castro’s Cuba and the distorted American perspective on the revolution, highlighted with colorful, heartfelt detail. This transplanted family exhibits fierce pride, loyalty, perseverance and love in ways that we can only envy, and Hebra Flaster paints the specific aspects of her story beautifully and with great skill. I highly recommend this book.

[Annie Kagarise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A raw, rare look into the life of an immigrant family

This book immersed me in the lives of a family torn apart by displacement, losing everything in the blink of an eye. Despite the hardships, their loyalty to one another never wavered; even through disagreements, they always found a way to reconcile and stand together. Ana not only shared their struggles, pains, and losses, but more importantly, she highlighted their incredible strength, resilience, and the way they triumphed over both a brutal regime and the weight of their own pasts. Caught between two worlds, Cuba and the United States, Ana’s journey is a powerful reflection of survival and identity. Thank you for taking us on this profound journey. It was a brilliant narrative and an invaluable history lesson.

[Kristine Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing read. This book was captivating from start to finish. I really enjoyed learning about Ana’s family, their journey to leave Cuba and get to the US and how life was for her and her family once they got here. Along with the journey of other family members. I learned so much history about Cuba. I also learned so much about the struggles that Cuban families had once they arrived in America.
This book was extra special to me because Ana came to live in Nashua, NH, which is where I live now!!
This book should be required reading for history students in High School and college!!
I had the privilege of meeting Ana at my Book Club and loved getting some additional details about her life and details of how Cuba is today. Fascinating.
I would highly recommend this book!