Find Me in Havana

By: Serena Burdick

Narrated by: Marisol Ramirez, Frankie Corzo

From the bestselling author of THE GIRLS WITH NO NAMES, a new historical novel based on the dazzling story of one of Hollywood’s most celebrated Hispanic actresses and her daughter’s search for closure.

“Told in a series of letters, FIND ME IN HAVANA is a beautiful and heart-wrenching story of mothers and daughters, and the American Dream that comes with the biggest price of all. I couldn’t put it down!” — Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author

Cuba, 1936: When Estelita Rodriguez sings in a hazy Havana nightclub for the very first time, she is nine years old. From then on, that spotlight of adoration—from Havana to New York’s Copacabana and then Hollywood—becomes the one true accomplishment no one can take from her. Not the 1933 Cuban Revolution that drove her family into poverty. Not the revolving door of husbands or the fickle world of film.

Thirty years later, her young adult daughter, Nina, is blindsided by her mother’s mysterious death. Seeking answers, the grieving Nina navigates the troubling, opulent memories of their life together and discovers how much Estelita sacrificed to live the American dream on her own terms.

Based on true events and exclusive interviews with Nina Lopez, Estelita’s daughter, Find Me in Havana weaves two unforgettable voices into one extraordinary story that explores the unbreakable bond between mother and child, and the ever-changing landscape of self-discovery.

A good book

Find me in Havana is the story of Nina and her mother, movie star Estelita. Written in back and forth perspectives like letters to the other, Find me in Havana takes the reader from 12-year old Nina's experiences of growing up with her mother and grandmother, to being kidnapped by her father and taken home to Mexico, to being rescued by her mother and taking her to Cuba and then back home to the United States. We follow Estelita through her numerous relationships, her acting and singing career and motherhood.

The two are bound not only by the mother-child relationship, but by their struggles, traumas, and successes. There is a lot going on in this book and Serena Burdick does a great job keeping the reader on track. I found the beginning a bit tough to sink into and the ending was a little lack luster.

Find Me in Havana is worth the read but not my favorite by Ms. Burdick.

Surprisedly good

I liked the complex relationships between the women especially. It was exceptionally well narrated too.

Excellent

What an interesting story and the back forth letter writing fit perfect with the narrative. Thanks so much for writing this story.

What a gem of a book

First time reading this author. I could not stop listening! Good story and unexpected gem. The narrator did an awesome job.

Totally unexpected

Just simply amazing all the way way around. What I thought would be a boring listen turned out to be simply amazing.