The Perez Family

This book does not deserve to be out of print. Early on, an anecdote is told of a Cuban prisoner who is informed that he is about to die. He is taken to the place of execution, but then "spared:" the victim of a cruel joke. Afterwards, he becomes emotionally invulnerable, and even the guards fear him. Each of the characters in the book experiences a turning point. The characters are well-developed, the turning points are believable and not at all alike, and the surprises lead the reader to ponder the human condition.It didn't take long to read the book (one sitting, actually), but it has stuck in my mind.

The characters in the book are wonderful with all their quirks. You really care about them. The story is funny, but at the same time it's a little sad. I learned quite a lot about the Marielitos and about a culture that I knew very little of. The movie is good, but the novel is much better. Read the book first!