In Property of the Revolution, Ana Hebra Flaster chronicles her family's experiences as Cuban immigrants establishing a life in the United States in the late 1960s. Against the backdrop of Cuba's political cataclysms and Castro's authoritarian leadership, six-year-old Flaster and her family were forced to leave their beautiful homeland and flee to the U.S. to carve a new beginning for themselves there. Adapting to life in New Hampshire presented challenges of its own. But Flaster's family was committed to building a new life in the U.S. Unfortunately, racism, prejudice, and social injustice were some of the challenges they faced as Latino immigrants. Part of this captivating memoir covers Flaster's personal experiences regarding her schooling, career, close family ties, and motherhood.

Property of the Revolution is Ana Hebra Flaster's journey of embracing her identity. It is a gripping memoir dedicated to family, heritage, survival, confronting past trauma, and acknowledging one's inner strength. Flaster delivers an unflinching description of her experiences, encounters, and feelings as a Cuban immigrant in the U.S. She provides readers with an authentic glimpse of a family shaped by political turmoil and the effects of immigration. Flaster’s ability to combine historical events with her personal experiences creates a memoir rich in knowledge and profound human connections. Her sincerity and resilience make this a compelling book that everyone should read. Her family's journey to survival--and her journey to closure and inner healing--makes this an absolute must-read. If you are a fan of inspirational memoirs and immigration stories, I encourage you to read this book.

Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town—A Memoir by Ana Hebra Flaster tells the story of her family's journey from supporting the revolution in Cuba to starting over as refugees in the U.S. Flaster brings their experience to life with vivid storytelling, showing how they struggled with exile, identity, and rebuilding in a new country. The book focuses on the strong women in her family who held onto their cultural roots while forging a new path in America. By blending history with personal stories, she gives readers a deep understanding of both the political turmoil they left behind and the resilience it took to start again. Her writing makes the Cuban exile experience feel real and personal, full of both hardship and hope.

Ana Hebra Flaster has a real talent for telling a complex story in a way that feels natural and heartfelt. What stood out to me most was how she captured the shifting sense of identity that comes with exile. Her writing moves smoothly between past and present, helping readers see how history shapes personal experiences. The women in her family shine in this story, their strength and wisdom coming through in a way that feels honest and inspiring. She balances the pain of leaving home with the hope of new beginnings, showing the difficulties of starting over while celebrating the traditions that keep a family grounded. I especially loved how she explored the way family traditions changed in their new home, making the story both deeply personal and universally relatable. Overall, Property of the Revolution is an essential read for anyone looking to understand the immigrant experience through a personal and beautifully written story.

Property of the Revolution reflects the trials of a family that escaped from Cuba during the dark days after the 1959 revolution was upended to become a communist takeover. Far from freeing Cuba from a cruel dictatorship, it unleashed a new wave of tyranny. Old scores were settled with brutality. Opponents of the regime were jailed or executed, while food and consumer goods were rationed. Personal property was confiscated by decree. The economy collapsed, hope for a better life was crushed, and political allegiances were brought into question. Ana Hebra Flaster was just six years old when her disillusioned family was granted leave to move to America. They left their vibrant but poor neighborhood with nothing and settled in New Hampshire. Ana describes the lot of an immigrant family trying to establish themselves in a new culture, with its language barriers and ingrained prejudices. The family clung to its conservative Cuban heritage while trying to be part of an unfamiliar and more liberal social structure. They drew strength from each other, their strong sense of community, and their roots. Caught between two worlds, Ana struggled with her quest for identity and wanting to fit in. In later life, she suffered from depression caused by her early childhood trauma.

Property of the Revolution brings into question the politics of insurrection, and how good intentions quickly unravel to benefit the few, rather than the many. Ana’s parents were staunch defenders of freedom and justice. In particular, her mother was forced to rethink her political views when the revolution went sour. Like her mother, Ana was a non-conformist, strong and independent. It is this inner resilience that shines through her writing. This is much more than a family history. It is a record of tumultuous events spanning the Cuban Revolution, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the missile crisis of 1962, plus the aftermath. Ana Hebra Flaster contrasts her family's life in America with flashbacks to the 1950s in Cuba. The true story of the Cuban revolution has not always been appreciated. Hopefully, this first-hand account will set the record straight. The attitude of Americans toward immigrants is examined frankly and from a human perspective. Polarized opinions worldwide are once again casting a dark shadow over immigration, and this memoir is a timely reminder that a new look is needed. It is also a testimony to maintaining strong family and community ties and remembering your roots. This is an utterly charming and engaging story written with depth and warmth that will both uplift and inspire. A most enjoyable book. It is highly recommended.

Property of the Revolution by Ana Hebra Flaster describes how she was raised in Juanelo, surrounded by four generations of her family. With the promise of removing the dictator Batista from power and restoring democracy and the 1940 constitution, many families, including Ana’s, supported the rebels led by Fidel Castro. To the disappointment of many, including Ana’s mother, things turn very bad for Cubans, with abductions and many people forced to lose their private property. The new regime was committed to changing Cuban society drastically at great cost. Ana’s parents apply to leave for the United States, and after a long, tedious process and loss of their home, they get permission to leave. How will things turn out for them as they navigate the language and cultural differences?

Property of the Revolution by Ana Hebra Flaster offers a glimpse into how things were in Cuba before and after the communist takeover. This wonderfully written memoir offers a unique perspective I did not consider before, like that of many Cubans supporting the rebels to topple the dictator Batista in hopes of a better Cuba. Ana ensured all events and places were vividly described, which helped to capture my imagination, and I loved the systematic flow of events, which left no room for confusion. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about other issues, such as the impact of the Cuban revolution on literacy and education and other social aspects. This is a good book, and I am looking forward to reading something else by this talented author.