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{{Short description|2024 book by Ullek NP}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Orphan|date=February 2025}}
{{AI-generated|date=November 2025}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox book
| name = Mad About Cuba: A Malayali Revisits the Revolution
| image = Mad_About_Cuba.jpg
| caption = Cover of the 1st edition
| author = [[Ullekh NP]]
| genre = [[Non-fiction]]
| subject = [[Politics]] [[Travel literature|Travelogue]]
| publisher = [[Penguin Random House]] in India
| media_type = Print ([[paperback]])
| country = India
| language = English
| release_date = 21 November 2024
| pages = 256 pp (First Edition)
| isbn = 978-0143469018
}}

'''''Mad About Cuba: A Malayali Revisits the Revolution''''' is a non-fiction book by Indian journalist and author [[Ullekh NP]], published by [[Penguin Random House]] in November 2024.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ullekh |first=N.P. |title=Mad About Cuba: A Malayali Revisits the Revolution |publisher=Penguin Random House India |url=https://www.penguin.co.in/book/mad-about-cuba/ |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> The book chronicles the author's journey through [[Cuba]], offering a [[Malayalis]] perspective on the island's revolutionary past, socio-political landscape, and contemporary realities.

==Overview==

The book provides a deeply personal yet journalistic exploration of [[Cuba]], delving into its history, culture, and politics through the lens of a traveller from [[Kerala]], India. Ullekh NP weaves together historical narratives, anecdotes, and his own experiences to present a nuanced account of life in post-revolutionary Cuba. It captures Kerala's long and abiding admiration of [[Fidel Castro]] and of the way [[communism]] still survives there in the deep and stifling shadow of US sanctions.<ref name="MadAboutCubaReview">{{cite news |title='Mad about Cuba' book review: Nostalgic parallels between communist Kerala and Cuba |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/books/2025/Jan/11/mad-about-cuba-book-review-nostalgic-parallels-between-communist-kerala-and-cuba |last=Kumar |first=Sheila |newspaper=The New Indian Express |date=12 January 2025 |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

''Mad About Cuba'' covers the [[Cuban Revolution]] and analyses its impact on the island's people and governance. It also draws a parallel to [[India]]'s Kerala state, which has a long leftist history and derives inspiration from Cuba's [[socialism]].

The book also explores Cuban travel and culture, including [[music of Cuba]], art, food, and daily life. The book examines the challenges Cubans face in the wake of economic hardships and changing global dynamics.

==Reception==

The book received positive reviews for its engaging narrative, insightful commentary, and blend of historical analysis with personal storytelling. Critics appreciated Ullekh's balanced approach in assessing [[Cuba]]’s revolutionary ideals and the island's present-day struggles.

[[The New Indian Express]] called ''Mad About Cuba'' as a compact report from the field, that brings out the author's love for Cuba and [[Cubans]] and his admiration for the small island for being a persistent David facing up to the American Goliath.<ref name="MadAboutCubaReview"/>

In his review in the ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' author [[Ameer Shahul]] described the book as a reminder that while Cuba may be defined by its defiance, it is sustained by its spirit — a spirit that the author captured with both reverence and wit. He recommended the book for anyone curious about Cuba and the changing world.<ref name="ShahulRevolution">{{cite news |last=Shahul |first=Ameer |title=Where the revolution still lingers |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/features/books/where-the-revolution-still-lingers-3392944 |work=Deccan Herald |date=9 February 2025 |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

''[[Business Standard]]'' said the book captures the observations as well as conversations of the author with various local people, including senior bureaucrats, scientists, students and tourists among others and explored the unique connection between Cuba and [[Kerala]].<ref name="KirpalCuba">{{cite news |last=Kirpal |first=Neha |title='Mad about Cuba': Exploring the unique connection between Cuba and Kerala |url=https://www.business-standard.com/book/mad-about-cuba-exploring-the-unique-connection-between-cuba-and-kerala-125012701420_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=27 January 2025 |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

''[[Hindustan Times]]'', in its review, found noteworthy the author's narration of how [[Fidel Castro]] stunned [[Indira Gandhi]] with a bear hug and introduced her to [[Gabriel Garcia Marquez]] at the [[Non-Alignment Movement]] Summit in [[New Delhi]] in 1982.<ref name="HindustanTimesCastro">{{cite web |title=This world leader stunned Indira Gandhi with a bear hug and introduced her to Gabriel Garcia Marquez |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/when-fidel-castro-gave-indira-gandhi-a-bear-hug-and-introduced-her-to-gabriel-garcia-marquez-101733469017862.html?utm_source=linkedin |author=Shylaja Varma |date=6 December 2024 |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

[[Malayala Manorama]] said with a blend of personal anecdotes, historical insights, and thoughtful economic analysis, ''Mad About Cuba'' is a compelling narrative that weaves unexpected connections between Kerala and Cuba, offering a fresh perspective on two distinct yet ideologically intertwined regions.<ref name="BenjaminCuba">{{cite news |last=Benjamin |first=Haritha Sharly |title=Mad About Cuba: A Malayali's journey through history, economics & revolution |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/lifestyle/news/2025/01/09/mad-about-cuba-malayali-revisits-revolution-ullekh-np-book-review.html |work=Onmanorama |publisher=Malayala Manorama |location=Kottayam |date=9 January 2025 |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

The book also featured in ''[[Mail & Guardian]]'', [[Frontline (magazine)|''Frontline'']], ''Hindustan Times'', [[Mint (newspaper)|''Mint'']], ''[[The News Minute]]'', [[The Wire (India)|''The Wire'']], Consortium News, SAPAN News, Open, [[Prensa Latina]], [[Reporter TV]], Kairali News and other news outlets.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

The author was interviewed by ''[[Newslaundry]]'', ''Hindustan Times'' and [[News18 Malayalam]] on the book. To ''Newslaundry'', he said he wrote the book to cut through the clutter of western-centric propaganda and focus on the hardships of the Cuban people in the face American sanctions that have restricted the island nation's sources of revenues, including remittances, export of goods and services and export of professional services.<ref name="NewsLaundryKeralaCuba">{{cite web |title=Let's Talk About: Kerala's Cuba Connection |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/12/26/lets-talk-about-keralas-cuba-connection |website=NewsLaundry |date=26 December 2024 |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> In the Hindustan Times Podcast, he said the US sanctions were not abstract but concrete measures to financially strangulate Cuba aimed at a regime change.<ref name="HTBooksCuba">{{cite web |title=Cuba: Will the Revolution Endure? |url=https://www.htsmartcast.com/society-culture-podcasts/books-and-authors/cuba-will-the-revolution-endure/ |website=HT Books Podcast |publisher=Hindustan Times |author=Manjula Narayan |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> News18 Malayalam review of his book focused on the similarities between the economic models of Kerala and Cuba, which are metaphors for redistribution-oriented policies.<ref name="News18KeralaMadAboutCuba">{{cite web |title=Mad About Cuba | date=21 December 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCxAZ5FIr0s |via=YouTube |publisher=News18 Kerala |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Indian non-fiction books]]
[[Category:2024 non-fiction books]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian books]]
[[Category:Penguin Random House books]]

Mad About Cuba - Revision history

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