Telex from Cuba

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Telex from Cuba
This is the cover of the 2008 novel "Telex from Cuba" by Rachel Kushner.jpg
First edition hardcover
Author Rachel Kushner
Language English
Genre Novel
Publisher Scribner
Publication date
July 1, 2008
Publication place United States
Media typePrint (Hardback)
Pages322 pp (first edition, hardback)
ISBN 9781416561033 (first edition, hardback)
OCLC 175289956
813.6
LC Class PS3611.U7386T45 2008
Followed by The Flamethrowers  

Telex from Cuba is the 2008 debut novel by writer Rachel Kushner. The novel follows a group of anglo-expatriates living in Cuba during the Cuban Revolution and was loosely based on Kushner's mother's experience growing up in Cuba on territory occupied by the United Fruit Company. [1]

Contents

Plot

Set in Cuba during Fulgencio Batista's reign as dictator, the novel follows the intersecting lives of several families of white American expatriates, the men of which work for the United Fruit Company. Several Americans who, back home, would have been of different classes and never mixed, become close while living in Cuba. K.C. Stites, the son of the CEO, with the encouragement of his mother, grows close with Everly Lederer, the daughter of a man who was considered weak and ineffectual back home. His best friend is from the Allain family whom the Stites consider hillbillys and who is rumoured to have killed a man back in America. The Carringtons are a couple who lived in Latin America for most of their lives and have a bitter acerbic marriage. Tip Carrington regularly cheats on his wife, and Mrs. Carrington has turned to alcohol in order to help.

In 1958, the rebel forces begin to grow stronger and gain sympathy from several of the children of the white ex-patriates. K.C's older brother Del runs off to join the rebels and helps to organize attacks against his father. After a bomb goes off in the United Fruit Company's prestigious club, the white Americans are forced to evacuate by their government.

Characters

Reception

The novel received positive reviews upon its release. A review for The New York Times called the style of the novel "sure and sharp, studded with illuminating images." [2] The Guardian dubbed it "an epic and enjoyable look at wealth tainted by loss in expatriate Cuba." [3] In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews called the novel "Soundly researched and gorgeously written, the creative story also serves as a history lesson. An imaginative work that brings Cuban-American history to life." [4]

Adaptation

Paramount Television and Anonymous Content are producing a series based on the novel. The adaptation is by Phyllis Nagy and she will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Rosalie Swedlin and Adam Shulman of Anonymous Content are also executive producing the series. [5]

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References

  1. Haskell, Arlo. "A Brief Interim of Sheer Possibility a conversation with Rachel Kushner" . Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  2. Cokal, Susann. "Livin' La Vida Local" . Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  3. Enright, Anne. "Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner review – the last days of the Americans" . Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  4. "Telex From Cuba". Kirkus Reviews. May 19, 2010. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  5. Otterson, Joe. "'Carol' Screenwriter to Produce 'Telex From Cuba' Series for Paramount, Anonymous Content". thewrap.com. Retrieved 22 July 2016.