Real Life in Castro's Cuba

by Catherine Moses

This new book provides a first-hand, grassroots look at life in Cuba, including very vivid descriptions of its people and places. Real Life in Castro's Cuba illuminates the human face of Cuba, which over the years has largely been hidden in the shadow of Fidel Castro. Real Life in Castro's Cuba is written by Catherine Moses, who lived and worked in Cuba as a press secretary and spokesperson for the United States from 1995 to 1996. This compelling, compassionate portrait contains personal observations about the Cubans' struggles, triumphs, hopes, and daily compromises to survive. The Cuban population lives with a deteriorating infrastructure, forcing many hardships on the people, including a scarcity of food, fuel, clothing, medicines, and other basic needs. The author's detailed cultural account of Cuba introduces the reader to everyday Cubans from party officials to dissidents to everyone in between. It shows how Cuba's socialist system works and gives reasons why Fidel Castro is still in power. Real Life in Castro's Cuba also describes the significant role of religion and spirituality in the life of Cubans. Although Moses expresses regret over the state of U.S.-Cuban relations, the purpose of the book is not to choose up sides. Instead, the book is designed simply to introduce readers to real life in Cuba. The book's unique approach allows an intimate picture of life in a faded Marxist regime. As the author writes, "Cuba is a curious mixture of Spanish Caribbean, socialist ideals gone awry, memories of what was, and a desperate need to survive." This fascinating new book will appeal to all readers who are interested in getting a closer look at what life is like in Cuba today.

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Tom Oman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may be a bit biased but she’s not wrong and she has a lot of insight from first hand experiences which shouldn’t be discounted.

[Vladimir · Rating 1 out of 5]

Catherine Moses wrote a stunningly one-sided account of Cuban politics. There are some interesting tidbits here and there, but most of it just propaganda and not terribly smart propaganda, at that. The level of black and white thinking she employs is almost too much to believe. Everyone who is against Castro is kind and good and only wants what's best for Cuba, whereas all those who have even remote sympathies for the revolutionary goals always appear to be engaged in some wicked activity or another. I am aware that it's not easy to find good words for the state of things in Cuba, but I still think that she wasted a wonderful opportunity to give an account of that country in particularly devastating circumstances during the '90s - she was, after all, an eyewitness of what was possibly the most difficult decade that island has seen in modern times (and maybe ever?). Even if I happen to agree with most of her points about Cuban politics, the simplicity and superficiality of her analysis, as well as suspiciously stereotypical nature of her "real life accounts" makes this book rather a waste of time if one wants to read anything beyond mere political reductionism.

[Vartika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this account after visiting the country made it so much more vivid and alive for me. Cuba is at the cusp of something special and important, the country is simultaneously melancholy and happy, destitute and content, simple and enigmatic. The book brings out these characteristics well. Read it to understand how life works under Castro's regime. How a plane ride away exists a world of difference, a world of promise - Cuba, a land like no other.

[Budhbella · Rating 5 out of 5]

candid. the wonders of the human spirit are an inspiration. remember.