I Was Never the First Lady

Name: I Was Never the First Lady
Brand: Arotahi Agency
SKU: 9780062990754
Price: 32.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

A Novel

By Wendy Guerra

0.0 (0 reviews)

3.39

( 352 ratings, 51 reviews)

Summary

I Was Never the First Lady by Wendy Guerra is a poignant exploration of identity and belonging, following a woman's journey to uncover the truth about her mother's mysterious life. Set against the backdrop of Cuba's turbulent history, the narrative intertwines personal discovery with broader political themes, offering a lyrical and intimate glance into the protagonist's quest for self and heritage. This general fiction work reflects on themes of memory, exile, and the complexities of familial relationships.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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I Was Never the First Lady

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are drawn to themes of personal identity, familial legacy, and belonging, woven through the lens of Cuban history and culture. The narrative blends the personal and political, offering a poignant exploration of a woman's quest to understand her past amidst the complexities of her homeland's vibrant yet challenging backdrop.

I Was Never the First Lady

Description

I Was Never the First Lady stitches together threads of island and identity until they become one and the same... Guerra’s own unpredictable book is haunting, complicated, and linguistically beautiful.” --The New York Times

A lush, sensuous, and original tale of family, love, and history, set against the backdrop of the Cuban Revolution and its aftermath.

Nadia Guerra's mother, Albis Torres, left when Nadia was just ten years old. Growing up, the proponents of revolution promised a better future. Now that she’s an adult, Nadia finds that life in Havana hasn’t quite matched its promise; instead, it has stifled her rebellious and artistic desires. Each night she DJs a radio show government censors block from broadcasting. Frustrated, Nadia finds hope and a way out when she wins a scholarship to study in Russia.

Leaving Cuba offers her the chance to find her long-lost mother and her real father. But as she embarks on a journey east, Nadia soon begins to question everything she thought she knew and understood about her past.

As Nadia discovers more about her family, her fate becomes entwined with that of Celia Sanchez, an icon of the Cuban Revolution—a resistance fighter, ingenious spy, and the rumored lover of Fidel Castro. A tale of revolutionary ideals and promise, Celia's story interweaves with Nadia’s search for meaning, and eventually reveals secrets Nadia could never have dreamed.

Translated from the Spanish by Achy Obejas

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

I Was Never the First Lady intertwines themes of island and identity, presenting a haunting and linguistically beautiful narrative. Reviews highlight its evocative portrayal of Cuba's political climate, offering a moody and intimate story. The book provides a multilayered exploration of female experiences during the Cuban Revolution, offering deep insights into identity and belonging amidst a turbulent backdrop. It's praised as a bittersweet tribute to Cuba, showcasing Wendy Guerra's exceptional talent.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780062990754

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 September 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: HarperVia

Contributors:

Translated by Achy Obejas
Translated by Alicia \Achy\ Obejas

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 206g

Pages: 272

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Wendy Guerra

About the Author

Wendy Guerra (Havana, 1970) is a Cuban poet and novelist. Guerra has contributed to different magazines and newspapers, including the Spanish daily El Mundo and The Miami Herald, where she currently writes about arts and literature. Guerra's first collection of poetry, Platea a oscuras, won her a prize from the University of Havana when she was barely 17 years old. She won the Bruguera Prize in 2006. Although her novels have been translated into several languages, only one of them has been published in Cuba. She has always lived in Havana.