HOTEL CUBA

Two sisters leave Russia for better lives in this audiobook. Their dreams of America are delayed, however, when changes in immigration policy force them to rebuild their lives in Cuba instead of New York. Pearl, the elder sister in every way, and her vivacious younger sister, Frieda, start over in a city that is very different from home. Marie Hoffman tries gamely to maintain accents and distinct voices, and her brisk pace moves the action along. While the story's premise is fascinating--made more so by real-life parallels to the author's own family history--the effect remains somewhat flat. Characters are underdeveloped, and the action lacks the energy necessary to keep the listener engaged. Hoffman's performance is fine, but the material itself falls short. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2023]