Jim Cherry
asked:
I heard some good reviews about Rachel Kushner and from a synopsis I thought "Telex From Cuba" sounded intriguing. I started reading it and the first chapter is a long slog of 25 pages about cane fields burning. Yes, there's a lot of background info on characters etc, but I found the writing mundane. Anybody like this book and Kushner's writing and why?
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Lisa
Maybe it's because I have known Cubans who escaped at various times through the last 50 years, as well as some of those (and their children) who chose to 'stay on GTMO for the duration' because it would only be 'for a few weeks' (meanwhile, sixty years later....). I have visited Santiago and spoken with people who were too afraid to speak Fidel's name, and when referring to him made a hand gesture to their chin representing a beard; and referred to Raul as 'brother of' same hand gesture. I was lucky enough to live in GTMO for 13 years so was familiar with so many of the ideas/experiences/settings being described. I found this book enthralling, and in speaking to a fellow GTMigo found the feeling mutual - and he lived in GTMO shortly after the time of the novel. Many of our friends from that part of our life have feelings for the island parallel to those expressed by KC and some of those he spoke to at the end of the novel.... even decades later.
Greg
Yes, you have to stick with it for a bit. It all fits together in time. It’s not a page turner but the author really brings full context to a very turbulent time and place. Many perspectives are well represented. My first time reading this author and really appreciated her style as it developed. A good read from my perspective.
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