For One Cuban Immigrant, Going Home Was Necessary to Realize Identity - book - “Scatter My Ashes Over Havana”

“For anyone who has never personally lived as an immigrant, Olga Karman brings the opportunity to experience life away from home with her tender memoir, “Scatter My Ashes Over Havana” ISBN 978-0976509646, Pureplay Press, 2006.

“Scatter My Ashes Over Havana” begins with Karman’s life in Cuba before the revolution. Like many others, Karman initially supported the aims of the revolution, but it wasnt long before Castros true goals were clear. She left Cuba for the United States in 1960 at the age of 20, but found the “Land of Opportunity” to be lacking. Unhappy with her marriage and life in rural Connecticut and then in Mystic, Connecticut, Karman focused on her education as a path to independence.

Success in the academic world and a respectable career, however, did little to soothe Karmans sense of estrangement. Over her lifetime, she defined herself as a mother, Latina, professor, Cuban, community activist and American, but found it difficult to integrate these characteristics into one identity.

“Who was I? Cuban? Cuban-American? Hispanic? American? If only I could touch the person Id been in Havana, shed give me the answer,” Karman said. “In 1997, I flew to Havana to make myself whole before I ran out of time. In that coral city by the sea, in those narrow streets that had watched me grow up, I found what I needed.”

While visiting Havana, Karman kept a journal, faithfully writing away in her hotel room during each night of her stay so no memories would escape upon her return to New York. “Scatter My Ashes Over Havana” was born from those journal entries that Karman kept while visiting her homeland.

“When I returned home to Buffalo and read my notes I was overcome by this certainty,” she said. “I had a story to tell, and no one could tell it for me.”

Although Karman now considers New England home, she still sees Cuba as her “mother earth.” The intimate insights of “Scatter My Ashes Over Havana” will provide inspiration to all through the courage and initiative displayed during Karmans life-changing journey.

Olga Karman resides in Buffalo, New York. She graduated from Connecticut College summa cum laude and earned her Ph.D. in Spanish language and literature from Harvard University as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow. She is a professor at DYouville College and has also authored two volumes of poetry. “Scatter My Ashes Over Havana” ISBN 978-0976509646, Pureplay Press, 2006 can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit olgakarman.net. Publicity contact: www.readerviews.com. Review copies available upon request.
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