Havana Lost

August 26, 2013
In Cuba, on the eve of the revolution, 18-year-old Francesca Pacelli's mobster father runs a casino. While Francesca is supposed to marry another man, she falls in love with Cuban revolutionary Luis and becomes pregnant. But Francesca's father kidnaps her, and she is taken to the U.S. Luis never finds her again. Year later, Francesca's son, Michael, is sent to Cuba on dangerous family businessâand the trip changes his life and that of his family. This sprawling tale takes readers from Cuba to Angola and Chicago and back again. While the story of the Cuban revolution, as well as the Cuban military efforts in Angola, is fascinating, readers will find their credulity strained by plot holes and the author's reliance on coincidences. The story's twists and turns become frustrating and it's difficult to be fully invested in the characters.