Letters of Cuba by Ruth Behar

Synopsis:

The situation is getting dire for Jews in Poland on the eve of World War II. Esther’s father has fled to Cuba, and she is the first one to join him. It’s heartbreaking to be separated from her beloved sister, so Esther promises to write down everything that happens until they’re reunited. And she does, recording both the good–the kindness of the Cuban people and her discovery of a valuable hidden talent–and the bad: the fact that Nazism has found a foothold even in Cuba. Esther’s evocative letters are full of her appreciation for life and reveal a resourceful, determined girl with a rare ability to bring people together, all the while striving to get the rest of their family out of Poland before it’s too late.

Based on Ruth Behar’s family history, this compelling story celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the most challenging times.

My Opinions

Letters from Cuba touches on many things, but what I resonate with is the delight of making friends of different backgrounds, and always being optimistic.

Esther is amazingly positive in everything she does. I initially thought, due to the first letter of the story to Esther’s Papa, that her life in Cuba might not be better than life in Poland, because isn’t that how stories usually start these days? That hoping for something good comes with a heavy dream crushing right after?

It warmed me when everyone seemed to be getting along well in Cuba, in the little place called Agramonte. Their landlord and lady were kind and helpful. The Chinese stall owner and his nephew are always generous, and the lady they met while peddling were friendly as well. The discrimination and hatred they endured in Poland were less prominent in Cuba.

I loved it when Esther became their glue and reason to know each other and learn about each other. As the person who organized a mixed Passover sedar party. An adapted Polish meal that brought all of Esther’s friends and their families together, and they all learnt about the similarities they all have with each other. That they formed a the Anti-Nazi Society of Agramonte is a bonus 

Esther, in her letters to her sister, mentioned how she didn’t appreciate her mother’s presence when they were together, and now that they were apart, she missed her mother terribly. Honestly, I felt it was just so sad for any child to endure separation from their parents, one or both, for the longing and comparison they can form when they see other children is just brutal. Esther is mature, positive and very understanding, but even she missed her strict mother terrible when in Cuba, and missed her Papa so much when she was still in Poland.

Esther changed the way her Papa did things, and at the beginning I was worried her father wouldn’t be able to accept her more efficient methods. Yet he remained supportive and helpful, and even conceded to Esther’s opinions. This is such a novelty in historical fiction. The way Esther found ways to earn more and more money every month, and managed to helped her father so much, was inspiring and very uplifting. I cannot help but question how realistic this situation could be though. Can someone really meet so many kind people in their lives? To be gifted a gold pocket watch and given a job for dress sewing, and later designing so easily? To so often meet generous friends as well?

The book has been an interesting and intriguing read, and it has led me to a couple of reflective questions: have I said or done anything that might have hurt someone unintentionally? Have I shown such irresponsible hatred to someone undeserving? Have I shown kindness recently?

All in all, the ratings are:

3.5/5

We can be anything we want to be.

There are good people and hateful people – and indifferent people, neither good nor hateful, just waiting to be told how they should think and feel.

Just as we have carried the religion of our ancestors wherever we have gone, so have they whose ancestors came from Africa. I am glad I have seen with my own eyes the love with which they remember those who came before.