Hotel Cuba is the saga of two Russian sisters leaving their homeland to try to get to America in 1922. Hamburger relates the trials and struggles and disappointments incurred as the women, Pearl and Frieda, must settle for Cuba as a destination.
Pearl, in her late 20's, is a
…more mother figure to Frieda, an 18 year old. They have an older sister, Basha, that has already made it to New York and with whom they hope to reunite. Without too much description, Pearl appears to be a rather dumpy, overweight pessimist. Frieda however seems like a pretty, fun-loving airhead looking forward to meeting up with her fiancé-to-be who has already made it to America.
The first part of the novel describes the boat trip with much of the same type of trials experienced in most immigrant stories. Unfortunately neither of the sisters are very likable. They end up working in a hat shop in which, as expected, Pearl works hard and develops a talent for design while Frieda does little but try to get out of Cuba to America. As the story evolves Frieda manages to successfully get smuggled out while Pearl gets to Key West only to be deported back to Cuba. This is where the book gets interesting. Pearl begins to meet a variety of unusual people that liven the plot. The Rabbi, Alexander, Martin and The Queen of England add excitement and color to an otherwise predictable story.
Pearl becomes someone more likable and adventuresome as she meets Alexander, follows the Rabbi's advice, and runs into Senora Martin and The Queen. Being more successful with the second attempt to leave Cuba, Pearl reunites with Frieda and Basha only to discover more hard times and work. However Pearl has developed enough self-confidence and ability to communicate to go into interesting, predictable professional and romantic relationships.
I would most likely not have finished this book if I had not agreed to review it. My concern is that other readers will do that and miss everything from Chapter 9 or 11 on where I felt that the characters became interesting. (less)
