Rating: 
Summary: Marvelous!
Review: About once a year I find a book good enough to read at one sitting. This is my book for the year. As the author of four books on Cuba, I'm intimately familiar with the island and perhaps for this reason found Tattlin's often humorous and always insightful masterpiece not only deliciously engaging, but also accurately reflective of the sultry sadness and spirited sensuality of a nation that after five decades of social experiment exists in its own irresistibly surreal twilight zone. She pulls no punches in laying the blame for Cuba's problems on the desk of the CEO. Tattlin shows us some eyebrow-raising insights into Fidel's personality and the sycophantic relationship with his inner entourage that she gleaned through several personal meetings she and her husband had with him. Despite her privileged lifestyle in Havana, she shows herself immensely versed in local realities and equally empaphetic to the plight of Cubans faced with their daily lucha (fight). My favorite anecdote, so succingly meaningful, regards the dead tarantula that Tattlin's two children had preserved in a jar for two weeks. When the spider suddenly comes to life, "It's a miracle!" Tattlin says to Miguel and Lorena, who were watching bemused. "Two weeks without air, food, or water." Miguel and Lorena shrug: "Es una tarantula cubana." Alas, her attempts to hide her identity (Isadora Tattlin is a pseudonym) and that of her husband (referred to irritatingly as an "X....ian") won't have fooled Cuban state security. A splendid edition to anyone's Cuba collection.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: As the daughter of Cuban immigrants and a regular visitor, every year I try hard to find a book that acurately portrays the hardships and life in Cuba. This is one of the few that I have found that realistically tells about true Cuban life. Although this acount is admittedly a priviledged view it does penetrate the surface, give a look into the social, political, and economical situation in Cuba with a touch of humor. Particularly interseting is the account of when Fidel comes to dinner, and when she attempts to find a vet for her cats. An excellent read! Congradulations Isadora!
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes insightful...often elusive
Review: Cuba Diaries, a new book by Isadora Tattlan, is a good read and deserves attention. Several of the anecdotes regarding the "periodo especial" in Cuba are insightful and reflect the daily realties faced by the victims of this 40 year-old totalitarian state. However, the author unnecessarily creates an ubiquitous veil, shrouding the identity of her husband, his business role and country of origin, i.e. Nick is from X----- or his X----ian language, and nullifying their interactions with government personnel and business associates. The book does not offer a true description of their personal situation or a root cause analysis of the surrounding economic crisis. Despite these failings, I recommend the book as a good source of anecdotal reference material for those people interested in studying this "periodo especial" and its effects on an American housewife in Cuba. Who knew?
Rating: 
Summary: Experiences of a spoiled American housewife
Review: Cuba is changing very fast, therefore many books on Cuba are out of date short after they are pulished. The same applies to this book. The situation Isadora describes isn't realistic anymore. Futhermore are her experiences not representative, because she does not empathize with the Cuban society. And that is the biggest shortcoming of this book. In my opinion she creates an unjust and negative image of the Cuban people.
I advise to read Enduring Cuba by Zoe Bran or Mi Moto Fidel bij Christopher Baker.
Rating:
Summary: You'll feel like you are in Havana!!!
Review: I believe this may be the second best book I have ever read and possibly one of the most insightful travel logs ever written. Composed of almost-daily entries and organized by school year, Cuba Diaries is the journal of an American housewife living in Havana during the mid-90s. Solely concerned with feeding, entertaining and educating her children while sustaining her marriage, Isadora Tattlin details what sounds like a mundane life. Yet, because it is all happening in beautiful, wacky Cuba, the author's every day chores take on a rip-rollicking feel that will easily have you laughing out-loud. Because Cuba is the "forbidden island" just 90 miles south of Florida, there is a natural curiosity about it for any American who has ever thought about Fidel Castro and the country he has ruled since 1959. While Cuba Diaries feeds that curiosity, the author does something smart with it, too. Rather than editorialize her position on Castro or Cuba, Tattlin avoids politics altogether and instead recites bizarre facts, one right after another: "In the Diplo a seventeen-dollar cabbage" was all she wrote on entry 68 of the second school year. While other reviewers may detect a snooty, privileged attitude on the author's part or a disrespect for Cuban people in general, I never found any of Tattlin's witty observations to be remotely critical of the resourceful people who have learned to live on this island with so little for so long. On the contrary, the reader is lead to feel enormous empathy, undying respect and sheer admiration for Cubans. And though the author never pushes the reader toward any conclusions about Castro, but simply typing up the events of her four years in Cuba, Tattlin leaves you with two burning wishes: 1. that somehow Castro will somehow disappear and; 2. that you can hop on the next plane to Havana and join the fun.
Rating:
Summary: You'll feel like you are in Havana!!!
Review: I believe this may be the second best book I have ever read and possibly one of the most insightful travel logs ever written. Composed of almost-daily entries and organized by school year, Cuba Diaries is the journal of an American housewife living in Havana during the mid-90s. Solely concerned with feeding, entertaining and educating her children while sustaining her marriage, Isadora Tattlin details what sounds like a mundane life. Yet, because it is all happening in beautiful, wacky Cuba, the author's every day chores take on a rip-rollicking feel that will easily have you laughing out-loud. Because Cuba is the "forbidden island" just 90 miles south of Florida, there is a natural curiosity about it for any American who has ever thought about Fidel Castro and the country he has ruled since 1959. While Cuba Diaries feeds that curiosity, the author does something smart with it, too. Rather than editorialize her position on Castro or Cuba, Tattlin avoids politics altogether and instead recites bizarre facts, one right after another: "In the Diplo a seventeen-dollar cabbage" was all she wrote on entry 68 of the second school year. While other reviewers may detect a snooty, privileged attitude on the author's part or a disrespect for Cuban people in general, I never found any of Tattlin's witty observations to be remotely critical of the resourceful people who have learned to live on this island with so little for so long. On the contrary, the reader is lead to feel enormous empathy, undying respect and sheer admiration for Cubans. And though the author never pushes the reader toward any conclusions about Castro, but simply typing up the events of her four years in Cuba, Tattlin leaves you with two burning wishes: 1. that somehow Castro will somehow disappear and; 2. that you can hop on the next plane to Havana and join the fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Story but ...
Review: I enjoyed this book because I enjoy all books on Cuba. But it seems to have been written by a Martha Stewart-type who constantly calls the employees in her home "the help". She doesn't seem to have a happy marriage, seems like she married for money, and didn't have much to say about her children. My overall impression was of a very rich person who found "the help" and most everything else in Cuba not up to her standards. I wouldn't read anything else by her, but since the book was about Cuba I read it to the end. I also would have preferred not to know how many boxes of tampons and panty-liners she needed.
Rating:
Summary: for Cuba lovers only
Review: I enjoyed this book because I enjoy all books on Cuba. But it seems to have been written by a Martha Stewart-type who constantly calls the employees in her home "the help". She doesn't seem to have a happy marriage, seems like she married for money, and didn't have much to say about her children. My overall impression was of a very rich person who found "the help" and most everything else in Cuba not up to her standards. I wouldn't read anything else by her, but since the book was about Cuba I read it to the end. I also would have preferred not to know how many boxes of tampons and panty-liners she needed.
Rating:
Summary: Stretching It.....
Review: I have been to Cuba many, many times and Tattlin's book caught me rolling my eyes a bit. She tends to stretch the truth to make the book more interesting, or rather, she gives an unrepresentative portrayal of Havana. Life in Cuba may not be mansions and BMW's, but if you want to see real poverty take a trip over to Haiti, the DR, etc. etc......the difference between Cuba and the rest of Latin America is that in Cuba even the rich white foreign people have to struggle. The books shows a lack of perspective and frequently is pompous.
Rating:
Summary: over-protective and somewhat one-dimensional
Review: I know that "Tattlin" felt descriptions of her life and friends in Cuba had to be obscured in Cuba Diaries so as not to rile the government or jeopardize anyone's position. But that doesn't explain why she fails to describe the beautiful countryside, why she and her children "will never forget the Cuban nights," the enchanting music on every corner, the crumbling but unique and exceptional Havana architecture, or the stunningly gorgeous citizens. More than just a combination of "cafe con una gota de leche" or various other permutations of their African/European roots, they are unlike people anywhere else. "Isadora" is so over-protective of herself, her marriage, her position, and her feelings that what we are left with is little more than datebook entries. I read the book because I'm in love with Cuba, but I didn't recognize its spirit in this smug musing on a privileged life in what could be any third world country. I've been to Cuba, and spent most of my time in Havana. Every morning while walking even to get a cup of coffee (which Tattlin describes as nearly impossible -- if you believe her version the only place to get food is at her house or in a paladar), I met with beautiful music, beautiful voices, and cheerful conversations among Cubans on the sidewalks and streetcorners. Not that Habaneros are elated 24/7, but there is a wonderful outlook and wonderful talent among the people that I feel is completely overlooked by those who only go to the society-filled cultural events. Isadora should have skipped some of the Castro affairs and tried walking down the street and listening to the various impromptu performances going on. Yes, some of Cuba is depressing. Doctors, engineers, scientists are impoverished and many drive taxicabs or cater to tourists to make ends meet. There are too many government restrictions. The paladares Tattlin frequents were prohibitively expensive when I was there (early 2001) due to a crackdown and exorbitant taxation by the government. Tattlin's descriptions of the government, the difficulties Cubans face in getting provisions, and the vast disparity between the haves and have-nots were very good. I just expected, because this was supposedly a diary, a little more depth, feeling, and gut reaction. To see a city free of Starbucks, Orange Crush, Burger King, and new model Fords is a travel experience nearly impossible for any American, and well-worth the trip. Please don't believe Tattlin's description that it is squalor. Tattlin does border on more meaningful sentiments, as when she says she will remember her staff always as she's driving away for the last time. But it's too little too late. I wanted to know her personal reactions to her staff. Why she did forgive the few thefts that happened in her home on her watch? Why did she feel conflicted (and I think she was) by the way she lived there? You can be privileged, you can call your faithful staff "the help," you can travel back and forth to the U.S. and bring 400 lbs of provisions back to the food- and essentials-starved Cuba, but you cannot ignore the emotions, talent, beauty, and gifts this country has to offer.
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