Cuba: After the Revolution

In the wake of the excitement surrounding the Buena Vista Social Club documentary and recordings, Wolf (HIV Positive; If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem) presents a complex portrait of contemporary Havana. He opens this photo-essay with an overview of the political, economic and social history of Cuba, follows with a panoramic view of the capital city, then narrows the focus to document the daily life of 12-year-old Havana resident Ana Moreira. The photos are extraordinary for their ability to convey the diversity of faces, the beauty of a city rising up from the ocean, and the decay of architecture that was once captivating. Supplementing the photos, the informal narrative succinctly describes the complexities of Cuba's economy and politics, yet occasionally feels oversimplified (e.g., ""Ever optimistic, Cubans are remarkably friendly, courteous, and helpful, not only to one another but to total strangers""). While Wolf exposes the many incongruities of life in Cuba, he does little to explain them (e.g., he posits, ""The quality of medical care in Cuba is outstanding. The only major problem is the lack of critical medication and advanced technical medical equipment needed to diagnose and treat serious illnesses""). The strongest section focuses on Ana and her family. Here readers glimpse a typical day at home, school and ballet practice as well as a peek at her parents' art studios. Zeroing in on these specific areas also allows Wolf to effectively expand his points to society at large. (Sept.)