Most Americans know Fidel and Che. Some even know Raul. Very few know Camilo, perhaps the most charismatic Cuban rebel of them all. Thorndike does a masterful job of weaving a love story into an alternative history that showcases a fascinating historical figure. Camilo Cienfuegos is not a name I knew but this novel brings him to life, his role as a key man in Castro's revolution and his mysterious disappearance after his small Cessna went missing in 1959. The historical aspects of Fidel, Raul and Camilo were the highlight as was the twist towards the end.
The story revolves around Clare Miller, an American photographer who had a sex-driven relationship with Camilo in New York before he joined Castro. She believes he died in the early days of Castro's return to Cuba. She moved on marrying an older man, a rich Cuban, living in Havana with the daughter she had with Camilo. Castro is triumphant, Camilo is part of his inner group and both Camilo and Clare are very happy to reunite. There's lots of bed hopping, then the fatal flight and a fictional account of what may have happened.
This is an easy read full of the tension of the early days of Castro's rule.

Raúl Castro, brother to famed Fidel, was his top right-hand man during the early days of the revolutionary conflict in Cuba. Camilo Cienfuegos played a key role as commander in the revolution but was cut short when his small plane mysteriously disappeared leaving no traces behind.

Before Cienfuegos ventured to Cuba he met Clare Miller. They carried on a lurid love affair that began in the United States, later continuing in Cuba. She would come to bear his daughter. Unknown to her, his days were numbered. Castro succeeded in his revolution and so began his decade’s long reign of dictatorship.

The events highlighted in this book were just a few parts of the puzzle that were part of the revolutionary overthrow in Cuba. The narrative took me on a journey and supplied me with information I was not aware of about the historic coup. In the end, I came away knowing a little bit more about our neighbor to the south.

I offer my thanks to NetGalley and Beck and Branch for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Camilo Cienfuegos is not a name I knew but this novel brings him to life, his role as a key man in Castro's revolution and his mysterious disappearance after his small Cessna went missing in 1959. The historical aspects of Fidel, Raul and Camilo were the highlight as was the twist towards the end.
The story revolves around Clare Miller, an American photographer who had a sex-driven relationship with Camilo in New York before he joined Castro. She believes he died in the early days of Castro's return to Cuba. She moved on marrying an older man, a rich Cuban, living in Havana with the daughter she had with Camilo. Castro is triumphant, Camilo is part of his inner group and both Camilo and Clare are very happy to reunite. There's lots of bed hopping, then the fatal flight and a fictional account of what may have happened.
This is an easy read full of the tension of the early days of Castro's rule.