My Ocean: A Novel of Cuba

by Enrique Pérez Díaz, Trudy Balch (Translator)

After his grandparents emigrate, 12-year-old Enrique heads for the ocean, a source of comfort and solace. Why did they flee Cuba, leaving Enrique and his mother behind? Should they go, too? If not, will they, like so many others, be seen as disloyal? The sea has no answers for the boy. As the years pass, Enrique is invited to become a Pioneer, a special honor that bodes well for his future, but it means he’s forbidden from reading the letters his grandparents send home. Enrique wants to belong, to show that he’s deserving of the honor, and once again, he seeks the ocean’s solace. Once again, the ocean has no easy answers. Still, life goes on. There are games with his friends, swimming expeditions, girls to hang out with. And always, there’s the ocean, a place he can go in good times and bad as he tries to make sense of what the future holds for him, his family, and many other Cubans.

150 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Born in Havana, Cuba, Enrique studies and promotes children’s literature in Cuba as President of the Cuban Children’s Writers’ Association and Vice-President of Cuba’s section of IBBY. He is the winner of many awards for his short stories and novels for children: The Golden Age, New Pines, Ismaelillo, finalist in EDEBE, and awarded with the ‘White Rose’ of the UNEAC Children’s Literature section. His work is steeped in today’s world and deals with burning issues, in a magical realist style.

Reviews

[Salsabrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

All around Enrique, everything is changing. His beloved grandparents and uncle leave for "El Norte" (the U.S.) and his single mother struggles to make ends meet. Enrique watches his friends leave Cuba or move away. There is much talk about the problems between the Cuban and American governments. As confusing and complex as life is, Engrique knows he can count on the ocean as a constant friend, always changing but still always strongly present. The chapters are Enrique's letters to the ocean that he tosses out in a bottle. Enrique's voice is rather eloquent and emotional for someone no more than 9 to 15 years old. And the author's trick of condensing 50 years of revolution history into Enrique's 15 years was confusing for a reader who's generally familiar with the Cuban/U.S. timeline. Still, I liked Enrique's earnest, youthful voice and, having been to Cuba, I enjoyed being transported there in this book.