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The Last Honest Man in Havana
It is 1988 and Rafael Áviles, an engineer at the Cuban Mint in Havana, is a young, earnest Communist Party member living with his ambitious wife, Elena.
When Rafael is drafted to the war in Angola, just as he is about to become a father, he takes a risk to escape the military—convinced he is doing what's best for his country.
As Communist countries around the world begin to see change, Cuba enters its dire Special Period and Rafael's family does what it can to survive. Rafael becomes disenchanted at work and, after a disastrous meeting with Fidel Castro, questions his Party ideals. Finally, he's convinced to do everything in his power to leave the island and improve his family's future.
This is at once a love story—for family and country—as well as a portrait of Havana during this tumultuous time.
When Rafael is drafted to the war in Angola, just as he is about to become a father, he takes a risk to escape the military—convinced he is doing what's best for his country.
As Communist countries around the world begin to see change, Cuba enters its dire Special Period and Rafael's family does what it can to survive. Rafael becomes disenchanted at work and, after a disastrous meeting with Fidel Castro, questions his Party ideals. Finally, he's convinced to do everything in his power to leave the island and improve his family's future.
This is at once a love story—for family and country—as well as a portrait of Havana during this tumultuous time.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
204 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2015
592 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Furlong-Riesgo
1 book29 followersMelanie Furlong-Riesgo was born in 1971 and grew up in Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Ontario, Canada. After graduating from Acadia University with a major in Spanish, she completed a B.Ed T.E.S.L. at Brock University. She taught English in the Czech Republic for three years and met her Cuban-born husband there. They now live in Nova Scotia with their two beautiful children. Melanie has been writing for various publications since 2001. The Last Honest Man in Havana is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 25, 2016
A love story—for family and country
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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As Americans, we are hard-pressed to truly understand a Communist dictatorship. Imagine living under conditions so difficult and under such scrutiny that your every move is watched, the amount of food you are entitled to but NOT guaranteed is regulated and health care is non-existent, unless you have the money to grease palms. Rafael believed the party line, he thought his family’s best interests were considered, until one day, he realized that he was nothing but a disposable commodity to a government who cared little for anything beyond its absolute power.
It was 1988, a time when Cuba was a mystery for Americans, and the American way was disparaged in Cuba. It is also a time when one young man realizes that beyond the love of family and favorite places, he must get his family out of this brutal environment if they are to ever know the true joy of living without the heels of a powerful government crushing their every effort to soar. Walk the streets of Havana, a jagged portrait of a city seen both through the heart and the harshness of its bleak reality. Feel Rafael’s heart tear in two as he realizes that escape, at any cost is all that is left, that the government he firmly believed in is not a benevolent institution guaranteeing equality, but a horrible, monstrous being built with lies and cemented with the blood of its people.
Follow Melanie Furlong-Riesgo as she fictionalizes the life and events her husband endured on his journey to freedom. The Last Honest Man is like a eulogy to the dreams and freedoms of Cuba’s sons and daughters who were left behind the iron bars of Communism and a beacon of strength for those fortunate enough to escape. Well-written, filled with the day to day lives of those in Havana, as well as the true beauty of a land that could have been paradise. Ms. Furlong-Riesgo gives a hands on look at a piece of history that has helped shape the world and the people we know today, imperfections and all. She reminds us that heroes and bravery take on all shapes and sizes.
I received this copy from Melanie Furlong-Riesgo in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: August 26, 2015
Publisher: Melanie Furlong-Riesgo
ISBN-13: 9781508908098
Genre: Fiction
Print Length: 179 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enter for a chance to win One Print Copy - INTERNATIONAL
Click on Banner to enter
As Americans, we are hard-pressed to truly understand a Communist dictatorship. Imagine living under conditions so difficult and under such scrutiny that your every move is watched, the amount of food you are entitled to but NOT guaranteed is regulated and health care is non-existent, unless you have the money to grease palms. Rafael believed the party line, he thought his family’s best interests were considered, until one day, he realized that he was nothing but a disposable commodity to a government who cared little for anything beyond its absolute power.
It was 1988, a time when Cuba was a mystery for Americans, and the American way was disparaged in Cuba. It is also a time when one young man realizes that beyond the love of family and favorite places, he must get his family out of this brutal environment if they are to ever know the true joy of living without the heels of a powerful government crushing their every effort to soar. Walk the streets of Havana, a jagged portrait of a city seen both through the heart and the harshness of its bleak reality. Feel Rafael’s heart tear in two as he realizes that escape, at any cost is all that is left, that the government he firmly believed in is not a benevolent institution guaranteeing equality, but a horrible, monstrous being built with lies and cemented with the blood of its people.
Follow Melanie Furlong-Riesgo as she fictionalizes the life and events her husband endured on his journey to freedom. The Last Honest Man is like a eulogy to the dreams and freedoms of Cuba’s sons and daughters who were left behind the iron bars of Communism and a beacon of strength for those fortunate enough to escape. Well-written, filled with the day to day lives of those in Havana, as well as the true beauty of a land that could have been paradise. Ms. Furlong-Riesgo gives a hands on look at a piece of history that has helped shape the world and the people we know today, imperfections and all. She reminds us that heroes and bravery take on all shapes and sizes.
I received this copy from Melanie Furlong-Riesgo in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: August 26, 2015
Publisher: Melanie Furlong-Riesgo
ISBN-13: 9781508908098
Genre: Fiction
Print Length: 179 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 5, 2015
This is a beautifully written novel set in Cuba. The author has created characters and relationships that are believable and easy to relate to. The characters and the country are lovingly evoked and the novel is emotionally charged. I found this an engrossing read about a country and people that remain mysterious to many.
March 6, 2016
Review of The Last Honest Man in Havana, by Melanie Furlong-Riesgo
Let me just start off by saying that this isn't a normal “read” for me. But I am so glad I did! What a powerful story of family and struggle in a 3rd world country, where social division is a prominent way of life. I could not imagine living where every serious conversation had to be hushed, behind closed doors, for fear of someone reporting your supposed disloyalty. Existing in a place where basic necessities are scarce, and often killed for out of sheer desperation.
It took me a few pages to get used to the author's writing style ans it switches viewpoints often and without warning. But I got a little ways in, the story flowed quite well because of this style. It is incredibly well-written, detailed without being dramatic, the characters relatable through their actions and decisions. You can definitely tell Ms. Riesgo took her time, combed it well, and was dedicated to bringing forth a well constructed, multi-layered story that really spoke to the reader.
Well deserved 5 stars from me.
Let me just start off by saying that this isn't a normal “read” for me. But I am so glad I did! What a powerful story of family and struggle in a 3rd world country, where social division is a prominent way of life. I could not imagine living where every serious conversation had to be hushed, behind closed doors, for fear of someone reporting your supposed disloyalty. Existing in a place where basic necessities are scarce, and often killed for out of sheer desperation.
It took me a few pages to get used to the author's writing style ans it switches viewpoints often and without warning. But I got a little ways in, the story flowed quite well because of this style. It is incredibly well-written, detailed without being dramatic, the characters relatable through their actions and decisions. You can definitely tell Ms. Riesgo took her time, combed it well, and was dedicated to bringing forth a well constructed, multi-layered story that really spoke to the reader.
Well deserved 5 stars from me.
September 15, 2015
The stories of Cuba and Cubans were silenced in North America for much of the latter half of the twentieth century - or at least did not exist in places where I found them easily. The Last Honest Man in Havana tells, honestly and with deep understanding, some of that missing story. Rafael and Elena are very human characters, flawed yet wonderful, who live through a tumultuous period in their country’s history. As they wrestle with problems both personal and political, they lead the reader through a Havana as vibrant, flawed and struggling as its citizens. The book is both good story and good history, and shines a light on a place and a people hidden too long.
December 16, 2015
The story focusses on the plight of Cuban citizens at the hands of Fidel Castro during one of the country's most turbulent periods in history. It is touching and heart wrenching and even humorous at times. Things which we take for granted every day, became a struggle yet the people in Havana pulled together, helping each other and keeping each other's spirits up - even when the system was working against them. Melanie Furlong-Riesgo created flesh and blood characters which will remain with me even after I have finished reading this book. I wonder if there will be a sequel? I would love to know what happens next.
September 10, 2016
I fell into this story and it was one of those when it ended I wanted it to carry on. I was so invested in the lives of Rafael Áviles, his wife Elena, their son Marco and his mother, Mari that when the story ended I felt a little sad, because I wanted to know what now? It was like losing friends. It was interesting to see how people in a socialist economy lived, their struggles, dreams and wishes. I would recommend this to anyone with an inquiring mind who loves a well plotted and brilliantly written story. I genuinely enjoyed reading this story!
June 6, 2018
(I received this book through this site's giveaway program.)
Overall, I'd say that this is a very solid first draft of a novel - which, looked at the other way, is the same as saying that it's not a terribly good finished product.
To begin with, the characters are all very believable, but they're slightly hard to keep straight and they don't feel like characters in a story. Some of this could have been remedied by introducing the characters in more memorable ways; some of it could've been fixed by leaving some characters out altogether (as they add little or nothing to the story) or merging multiple side characters; but the basic problem is that none of the characters has a clear, established place or role in the story. As a result, the book feels like what it probably is: a lightly fictionalized version of real events. That's not the worst thing in the world, granted, but it's also not what I'm looking for in a novel. Real life, like this book, is too random and disconnected and particular to make for a good story.
And because the book is so true to life, it's also hard to identify any recurring themes or motifs in the text. Obviously political issues arise every now and then, but, to reiterate, that happens in the same way that political issues arise in real life - namely, without a terribly satisfying rhythm or pattern and without all that much of a resolution. For the first half or so of the book, this actually makes it very hard to even figure out what the story is supposed to be about.
Finally, I personally found the prose to be very elementary. Aside from a few well-written descriptions of the city of Havana, the book's vocabulary, sentence structures, dialogue, and verbal pacing are all quite bland. In this regard, too, the book just feels like a recitation of events that happened in reality.
The good news, such as it is, is that the story picks up somewhat over the last, say, 50 pages. And I do think that the subject matter is a good one in some abstract sense. So if someone took this version of the book and really worked on it - sharpened the characters, massaged the plot, spiced up the language - I think it would serve as a valuable window into a particular kind of Cuban story. As it stands, however, there's not a particularly strong reason to buy or read it.
Overall, I'd say that this is a very solid first draft of a novel - which, looked at the other way, is the same as saying that it's not a terribly good finished product.
To begin with, the characters are all very believable, but they're slightly hard to keep straight and they don't feel like characters in a story. Some of this could have been remedied by introducing the characters in more memorable ways; some of it could've been fixed by leaving some characters out altogether (as they add little or nothing to the story) or merging multiple side characters; but the basic problem is that none of the characters has a clear, established place or role in the story. As a result, the book feels like what it probably is: a lightly fictionalized version of real events. That's not the worst thing in the world, granted, but it's also not what I'm looking for in a novel. Real life, like this book, is too random and disconnected and particular to make for a good story.
And because the book is so true to life, it's also hard to identify any recurring themes or motifs in the text. Obviously political issues arise every now and then, but, to reiterate, that happens in the same way that political issues arise in real life - namely, without a terribly satisfying rhythm or pattern and without all that much of a resolution. For the first half or so of the book, this actually makes it very hard to even figure out what the story is supposed to be about.
Finally, I personally found the prose to be very elementary. Aside from a few well-written descriptions of the city of Havana, the book's vocabulary, sentence structures, dialogue, and verbal pacing are all quite bland. In this regard, too, the book just feels like a recitation of events that happened in reality.
The good news, such as it is, is that the story picks up somewhat over the last, say, 50 pages. And I do think that the subject matter is a good one in some abstract sense. So if someone took this version of the book and really worked on it - sharpened the characters, massaged the plot, spiced up the language - I think it would serve as a valuable window into a particular kind of Cuban story. As it stands, however, there's not a particularly strong reason to buy or read it.
October 20, 2017
Well-written and properly edited for an enjoyable read
It ended too soon. I want to know what happens next. Being honest can be tempered with naivete and in a country like Cuba, simply dangerous. I expected the story to dwell on the plight of the people under Castro but it portrayed their humanity more than their misery. Bravo to the author for seizing this reader's heartstrings and wrapping me tightly into her story right to the end. A good read.
It ended too soon. I want to know what happens next. Being honest can be tempered with naivete and in a country like Cuba, simply dangerous. I expected the story to dwell on the plight of the people under Castro but it portrayed their humanity more than their misery. Bravo to the author for seizing this reader's heartstrings and wrapping me tightly into her story right to the end. A good read.
February 7, 2017
Read from cover to cover in a single sitting.
April 22, 2016
This was a colourful and interesting read. It told me a lot about everyday life in Cuba in the late 1980s, and about stresses and strains on family life that, to a middle class citizen of a rich European democracy, are horrific. Although it seems the only way to survive will be for the family to leave Cuba, there is a real love for the island expressed, with descriptions of buildings and landscapes and a sense of atmosphere, music and vibrancy alongside the difficulties. The author's point of view is hardly subtle, but she does try to express the disappointment of a disillusioned idealist faced with a miserable reality. There were points I hadn't known that shocked me - having a child made it harder to leave because he was automatically a ward of the state; water was sometimes only available from standpipes and hospitals in the much vaunted Cuban healthcare system were corrupt and dirty. So I learned a lot. I did like the idea of the mailman linking strands in the plot and there were some potentially interesting secondary characters too.
The main characters though could have been a bit more developed - the story raced along and we didn't really get to explore their feelings as deeply as their compromised situation would have warranted - the inner moral turmoil of both Rafael and Elena could have yielded a much richer exploration; and the mother-in-law Mari was a potentially fascinating character who had not been filled out enough. I did feel the plot itself could have been filled out a bit too – there was rather a dash to the finish but I’d have been happy to read more. I'd have given four stars but for this!
April 2, 2016
This is an excellent book! It is not my usual read ,but it was suggested and so of course I read it. I am ever so glad that I did! After reading it, I sat here and said to myself,"What do you say about a book that is really well written? How to convey my impressions in a manner that goes beyond Oh, this is really good." So, I thought about it, and decided that the only way to convey my impressions is the following: This book made me feel as if I were actually there, and part of all that occurred. I actually quite nearly forgot that I was turning pages, much as one, in seeing an actor playing a part actually forgets that it is the person because that actor has become, essentially, the character. This book truly transports the reader, which is a most difficult feat for any writer. I recommend it for any reader who wants a true "experience", for that is what this book is.
March 26, 2016
The Last Honest Man in Havana is a well-written, compelling novel that really sheds a light on how precious freedom is. The main character, Rafael takes a an emotional and intellectual journey in this book from believing in socialism and the Cuban government to truly questioning his political views, and then acting upon his realizations. I really came to care about Rafael and Elena, their relationship, and their future, and felt invested in the outcome. The depiction of Cuba during this time and the hardships that people faced were written about in such a realistic way that I felt like I even learned something in the process. And most of all, the book made me appreciate how precious freedom is.
April 29, 2016
Despite the fact that that this isn't an ordinary read for me, I was drawn in by the characters, and learning about a country I knew so little about. This book opened my eyes in a way that was not overwhelming, I was simply carried along by the story and the struggles of this family. There was the perfect amount of suspense in Rafael's struggle to leave, which kept me turning pages. I would love to know what happens next, to Rafael, and to his family after the story ended. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. This is not my normal genre, but I found it an easy and eye-opening read, so I would also recommend it to those who want to try something new.
March 27, 2016
5 STARS!! RECOMMENDED READ!
Knowing litlle about Cuba before reading this book, I found myself really feeling for the people I was reading about. What a difflcult life many of them have, fighting for basic needs that so many of us in other parts of the world, take for granted. The story was interesting, the characters were developed and likeable, and I very much enjoyed the book. I was definitely rooting for Rafael and Elena and I would love to find out what happens next so I am hoping there will be a sequel!
Knowing litlle about Cuba before reading this book, I found myself really feeling for the people I was reading about. What a difflcult life many of them have, fighting for basic needs that so many of us in other parts of the world, take for granted. The story was interesting, the characters were developed and likeable, and I very much enjoyed the book. I was definitely rooting for Rafael and Elena and I would love to find out what happens next so I am hoping there will be a sequel!
January 24, 2017
There's a simple kind of power in this young revolutionary's story of disillusionment, survival, enlightenment, and love. I’d recommend it to fiction readers interested in novels about family, clashing ideologies, and international affairs.
Reviewed at Online Book Club. I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
Reviewed at Online Book Club. I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
March 21, 2016
An enjoyable story of hardships faced by Cuban people, their daily struggling to survive, in a poverty riden country with war ever pressing. An in sight to harsh realities at this time, a story of hope and love,
This is a well written book with great factual history of Cuba and well worth a read
This is a well written book with great factual history of Cuba and well worth a read
March 21, 2016
An enjoyable story of hardships faced by Cuban people, their daily struggling to survive, in a poverty riden country with war ever pressing. An in sight to harsh realities at this time, a story of hope and love,
This is a well written book with great factual history of Cuba and well worth a read
This is a well written book with great factual history of Cuba and well worth a read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews