Enrique Pérez Díaz

All around Enrique, everything is changing. His beloved grandparents and uncle leave for "El Norte" (the U.S.) and his single mother struggles to make ends meet. Enrique watches his friends leave Cuba or move away. There is much talk about the problems between the Cuban and American governments. As confusing and complex as life is, Engrique knows he can count on the ocean as a constant friend, always changing but still always strongly present. The chapters are Enrique's letters to the ocean that he tosses out in a bottle. Enrique's voice is rather eloquent and emotional for someone no more than 9 to 15 years old. And the author's trick of condensing 50 years of revolution history into Enrique's 15 years was confusing for a reader who's generally familiar with the Cuban/U.S. timeline. Still, I liked Enrique's earnest, youthful voice and, having been to Cuba, I enjoyed being transported there in this book.… (mehr)