Review: Letters From Alain

Title: Letters From Alain
Author: Enrique Pérez Diaz 

Translator: Simon Breden 

Original Language: Spanish

My Age Recommendation: 11+

Publisher: Aurora Metro
Publication Date: 12 June 2008
Pages: 130

My Copy: Purchased

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Arturo, a 12 year old boy lives on the island of Cuba. One day, his best friend Alain goes away with his family on a small boat, in search of a better life in America.
But the sea can be a perilous place...
When Alain’s dog returns mysteriously, the adults fear the worst. Meanwhile Arturo is receiving strange letters from his friend. What do they mean? And will his friend ever return?

My Review

I became interested in Cuba after studying Cuban history (in particular the Cuban Missile Crisis). I heard about the wet foot, dry feet policy during this and also about those people who tried to escape from Cuba in search of a better life in Florida and beyond. I really wanted to know more about these extraordinary flights for freedom but there seemed to be little in the way of accessible information. 

Then, not long ago, I stumbled across the wonderful publisher that is Aurora Metro and an English translation of a story on exactly that subject. Letters from Alain (previously Las cartas de Alain) is the story of Arturo whose best friend leaves with his mother and father by boat across the Florida Straits. Although it doesn't reference the policies of the US in detail it shows the emotional struggles associated with the escapes and it is a incredibly well written introduction to the whole issue.

I'm sure many of you who know about Cuba's history have guessed that this children's story isn't really a happy one. It's hard to read because it's rooted in deep and troubling truth. Many have lost their lives in the pursuit of a better life and the acknowledgement and realisation of this makes for hard reading. 

Nonetheless, this story is one I recommend to everyone. It's a simple story but one encompassing true emotion and the hope of youth. Enrique Pérez Diaz has not shied away from heartbreaking content, however, the book is not overly explicit about Alain's fate. This really gives the reader the opportunity to dwell on the themes of hope and friendship but grief and loss too.

For me, Francisco Solé's absolutely beautiful illustrations are the final touch. They are so vivid and helped me to visualize a culture and country that I am relatively unfamiliar with. 

The voyages of the Boat People are absolutely fascinating but incredibly sad too. I am pleased that this book has been translated into English because I think it will hopefully show many children and adults too that there is another side to this immigration.  

translation month at mostly reading ya