Six Days in Havana James A. Michener University of Texas Press 1 edition

Jun 30

While researching his latest novel, Michener stopped in Havana and what he found there struck him so that he wrote this separate volume about it. The meat of the book was gleaned from interviews with close to 200 Cubans of widely assorted backgrounds and positions, and concerns how the country has progressed after 90 years of independence from Spain and under the 30-year leadership of Castro. Kings’s many photographs are a fine complement to the text. Bound to be in demand by Michener’s numerous fans. Literary Guild alternate; Doubleday Book Club selection.– MR
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

When James Michener visited Havana with his associate John Kings, he was only researching Cuba for a new novel on the Caribbean, but he found much more to excite his interest. Michener’s insightful text and Kings’s evocative photographs record their impressions of Havana thirty years after the Revolution.

Six Days in Havana

Recessional

The veteran author’s extended exploration of the world of geriatrics is an up and down affair, alternating inspiring episodes with cliche-ridden narratives. Andy Zorn, a young doctor running from a past scandal, has been hired by geriatric mogul John Taggart to revitalize the Palms, a Tampa retirement community that’s fallen into a minor malaise of both profits and morale. Michener sets up his usual labyrinthine sprawl of secondary characters, but what’s missing is the unique sense of place that’s driven his best works in the past. This time, Michener applies his research to the ravages of old age that plague the Palms’ population, but the level of detail often seems unnecessary for the story he’s telling. Some episodes and characters are touching: the tale of a seemingly mismatched couple in which the husband cares for the wife after she contracts Alzheimer’s; a series of stories about four elder statesmen in the home who conspire to build and fly an airplane; and the saga of a widow who must make some difficult decisions after a biopsy for breast cancer. On the negative side, the romantic subplot between Zorn and a handicapped woman whom he rescues after a car accident reads like fodder for a bad TV movie; the doctor’s efforts to provide care for an AIDS patient outside the home have similar problems with realism-the worst offense being a series of passages told from the perspective of a rattlesnake. It’s obvious that Michener, who turns 87 this year, finds his subject engaging-but there’s not quite enough inspiration here to place this with his top-shelf work. Major ad/promo; Random House Audiobook.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

“MICHENER IS AMERICA’S BEST WRITER.”
–The Pittsburgh Press
In his stunning new novel, bestselling novelist James A. Michener draws on his unparalleled gift for storytelling, his deep understanding of American society, and his own life experiences to illuminate the challenges of aging and the folly of youth in a Florida retirement home known as the Palms.
As the new, young director of the Palms, Andy Zorn suffers no shortage of loving support and wise advice from his “elders,” a group of five passionate, outspoken residents who refuse to accept the passive roles that both society and family have handed them. Yet past scandal has driven Zorn to despondency, until he meets an extraordinary young woman in the rehab wing, who has been forced to rebuild her life in the face of crippling injuries. Now Zorn finds himself falling in love–and with the help and gentle jabs from his more mature friends, he discovers a wonderful new purpose in life….
“Michener hooks you with wonderfully humorous scenes. These are then interwoven between the moments of pain and heartache brought about by life choices we all must make.”
–Tulsa World
“Engaging…One will be drawn into the novelist’s world….The lush natural setting provides James Michener plenty to show and tell.”
–The Washington Times

Recessional

University of Texas Press 1 editionJames A. Michener

Comments

John In Canada

June 30th, 2012 at 7:46 AM


“Six Days in Havana” is Michener’s companion volume to the novel “Caribbean.” Though the narrative is rather short, Michener’s tradition of never failing to please holds up here, and the brevity is more than made up for by John Kings’ absolutely fantastic color photos of Cuba. This volume serves both as a behind-the-scenes tour of the Cuban chapters of “Caribbean” and as the closest tour of Cuba an American is likely to get anytime soon. Perfect for the almost-complete Michener collection. (Also features a short section by Kings.)
Jon Loren

June 30th, 2012 at 11:29 AM


I ordered this book for a customer who had a lot of trouble finding it and she was very happy with the product
Tammy Truong

June 30th, 2012 at 12:49 PM


If you enjoy Michener’s style at all, you’ll find this a good read too. It is true, as others have noticed, that the author may be getting old. Where before, when my first impulse was “nobody talks that way” I could remind myself that English is not my native language and America not my home, in this book many dialogs are clearly contrived. Nevertheless, the thing that matters is how much Michener managed to put into them, and believe me, he still does.
A point noone else commented on: The whole book, from beginning to end, is a royal slagging off of the one profession I despise most. So if you happen to be a lawyer, it may be you will not enjoy the book as much as I did – but especially then I recommend you to read it and try to take it to heart.
Leeann Femat

June 30th, 2012 at 7:49 PM


This “used” book came on time and was in perfect condition.
It was original and had never been opened. A great bargain!
Mintra

July 1st, 2012 at 1:42 AM


i liked this book very much, but if you are a regular fan of Michener, you may be dissapointed. I would suggest this book to anyone that has the time to read it.
Bill Somebody

July 1st, 2012 at 3:29 AM


This book deals with many aspects of the kind of life that faces the older generation. Mr. Michener has written not only a wonderful story with sometimes ordinary, sometimes eccentric characters, but has touched upon some of the problems that are endured because of age. It decries the use of the term “nursing home” for any and all retirement communities. It denounces the attitude that because a person having reached a certain age and/or with some physical disabilities, must also be mentally deficient and unable to make intelligent decisions. It tells of the love and devotion of a man whose wife is suffering with the final stages of Alzheimers disease. It touches on the questions of living wills and on pro-life groups that use unscrupulous methods for interfering with legally written and expressed wishes of those facing the final stages of life. It also tells of the loving care and deep concern that the staff of the retirement community in which the story unfolds feels and expresses toward all the residents. This book, although written in the early nineteen nineties, is in my opinion, one that should be read by everyone, whether in the age bracket known as the older generation, or has a parent or relative of advanced age, or simply comes in daily contact with those who don’t think of themselves as being old and should not be considered just old folks. Alma Winter, Author-ONCE UPON A TIME TALES.
MoneyedBag

July 1st, 2012 at 7:08 AM


“Recessional” was my introduction into James Michener’s writing. This novel is the work of a fine craftsman. Upon reading, you feel that there are no wasted characters or scenes; all are important and work towards making a beautiful canvas for you to enjoy.

In this story a young doctor, Dr. Andy Zorn, is driven from his practice in Chicago by a frivolous lawsuit against him and by his divorce. Mr. Taggert, the owner of a chain of retirement communities, hires Dr. Zorn to manage of his properties, The Palms in Tampa, which is not making a profit. It is at this location that Zorn must rebuild the community and his life.

Of the characters Zorn meets, you feel that you have met them before, but never took the time to know them. For instance, there is Mr. Bixby who seems like just another retiree. One day, someone notices that he is “the” Buzz Bixby of World Series fame many years ago. All the characters, and for the matter all retirees, have had a wealth of experiences which get overlooked when we do not try to understand.

Michener also discusses many issues (as an aside, this was written in the early nineties) such as Alzheimer’s, AIDS, euthanasia, and living wills. There are other topics, but these seem to be the most poignant. Throughout these issues, you will never feel that Michener is preaching to you, but you will know how he feels.

I would recommend this book. It is an enjoyable read.
Bill Somebody

July 1st, 2012 at 9:36 AM


James A. Michener must be anticipating his own retirement in this book as he writes a compelling and interesting novel about a retirement facility in Florida. What to most might be a very boring subject, Michener once again enlivens his characters and makes them so interesting that the book is a real page-turner. In our contemporary society, the aged are packed away into retirement homes and forgotten. In Michener’s view, the elderly live interesting lives, have meaning and purpose, and are thinking, feeling people. Particularly facinating is the attempt of four of the elderly men who attempt to build and fly an experimental aircraft!

Michener invites the reader to ponder the intricate problem of medical science extending human life, and when life ceases to be meaningful. In 2003, the media was buzzing with the attempt by a husband to end the life of his brain damaged wife in a nursing home. Michener has stong opinions on this subject and appears to be a prophet in dealing with a topic that only recently came to the american public’s attention.

This is perhaps Michener’s last great novel. I believe the reader will find it engaging and worthwhile. Although it is not as superb as “Texas”, “Centennial”, or “The Source”, Michener will not disappoint you in “Recessional”.

Jim Koenig
pablov

July 1st, 2012 at 4:03 PM


I really love this book – but it’s not really anything like other things the author has written. It’s just a good story about a topic that many of us are uncomfortable with – growing old. Give this book a try. You may be surpised. I know the I was.
Wiley Rolens

July 2nd, 2012 at 1:22 AM


While I have read a great number of his other books and enjoyed most of them thoroughly, this book touched me like no others. I have two grandmothers living in similar retirement communities to that in the story and this gave me some great insight and understanding to their lives in there. It felt like a true story based on their lives and those of their friends. I highly recogmend the book although it is certainly not like his other epics.
Fredw

July 2nd, 2012 at 3:03 AM


I was assigned to read this book for one of my college courses and I really ended up liking it. It’s my understanding that Michener himself actually lived at the retirement center he based the book on and that many of the characters were based very closely on residents there. My teacher describes it as more of an ethnography than a novel, which made it that much more interesting to me.
TheOtherGeoff

July 2nd, 2012 at 10:12 AM


As the novel opens it is December 31st and a young doctor, Andy Zorn, is on his way to a meeting, a job interview. A raging snow storm is making his trip more like an artic wilderness trek than a usually pleasant stroll along Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Dr. Zorn is anxious to get the job, to leave behind his former life and career, to move on to anywhere or anything other than Chicago. Zorn gets the job, that of director, but not medical director, of a retirement community in Tampa, Florida. Within hours the doctor is on the road south.

The various stories of the residents of the retirement home, The Palms, comprise the remainder of the novel. We learn about the various residents of The Palms, how they came to live there, and what transpires for them there during the next year.

This is reminiscient in some ways to classic Michener style in that it has a huge cast of characters that the reader follows over an extended period. Stories that start out isolated eventually become entwined with others often after being seemingly forgotten. In other ways though this is a departure from Michener’s usual style, instead of being transported to an exotic locale we are taken to Florida. Instead of the vast timeline Michener is noted for, spanning many decades and generations, RECESSIONAL takes place in the course of one calendar year.

This is darker overall than much of Michener works, although it is not without the usual Michener theme of the triumph of the human spirit despite adverse circumstances. Also Michener’s various agendas are more prevalent in this one than is his usual style. Still, fans of Michener will enjoy this one even though it is not quite the sweeping epic that he is known for.
Diane Drinkwater

July 2nd, 2012 at 11:47 AM


I’ve read many of James Michener’s books, but for some reason,
RECESSIONAL had never crossed my path . . . perhaps it had been
because of the subject manager; i.e., life in a Florida retirement
community.

Yet now that I find myself contemplating such a possibility, I
was fortunate to come across a book on tape version of this
tale when in my local library . . . though it was written in 1994, I
still found it very contemporary based on my visits to several
such locales.

RECESSIONAL follows the story of a doctor who becomes
the manager of the Palms . . . I quickly became interested
in his life, as well as in the lives of the memorable characters
he serves who have no intention of “going gracefully” . . . the
subplot, involving a woman whose life seems over when she
is in a terrible accident, was touching . . . that said, I won’t tell you
any more for fear I’ll ruin the joy you’ll have in finding out for
yourself what happens.

The ending is just right, including this line: “We’re all
passing–honorably–away” . . . it was delivered with eloquence
by Len Cariou, who did a marvelous job with the entire narration.
D. Halet

July 2nd, 2012 at 3:59 PM


A very good description of the options faced by those in the twilight of their life. The plot was really secondary to what I considered the main point of the story, which is the lives of the residents, and the activities of the caretakers. In all, it is a depressing story, but I guess that’s the point.
Pravda Media

July 2nd, 2012 at 6:39 PM


I will admit right off that I am biased because, as Public Affairs Officer in the U.S. Interests Section, I hosted James Michener’s stay in Havana while he collected data for “Caribbean” and later collaborated with John Kings on the photography used in the book. Despite his glowing praise for my services (page 27), Michener was an old hand at adapting to circumstances and hardly needed me to orient him. He arrived with a fixed agenda and stuck with it. We departed from the agenda from time to time as his curiosity grew and Cuban contacts of mine beguiled him. As for his impressions, they are lucid, provocative, insightful and of course superficial. To know Cuba requires years of delving into the psychology of the quixotic Cuban people and their turbulent history. Michener’s kitchen Spanish was adequate in restaurants but hardly up to a good conversation. I wondered how his early masterpiece “Iberia” could be so complete without a solid knowledge of Spanish? Anyway, he asked me to take 1000 photos of Havana which I did happily under the watchful eyes of Cuban security forces. His editors selected 70 or so of mine and 12 of Kings for inclusion. (No reference to my photopgraphy is given in the book by my own request as a diplomat shouldn’t be caught moonlighting for the presses). I believe Michener used them for references to his quick glimps into Cuban society. His light comments tell the tale of a tourist abroad who is infected with the aura of Cuban life under the tyrant…,excuse me “comandante en jefe” Castro. Not a bad read for someone who likes their rum with coke–better known as a Cuba Libre. Viva Michener! Comments to jerrywscott1@cs.com
Burhan

July 2nd, 2012 at 11:46 PM


While not one of Mr. Michener’s epics I found Recessional to be highly inspiring but at the same time tragic dealing with the problems of growing old and looking at the problems of dying or for that matter not dying. While it probably won’t change any minds about euthanasia it did make me convinced that I need to insure my family knows and respects my own wishes should I become completely incapacitated or terminally ill.
Notaclue

July 3rd, 2012 at 1:42 AM


While I have read a great number of his other books and enjoyed most of them thoroughly, this book touched me like no others. I have two grandmothers living in similar retirement communities to that in the story and this gave me some great insight and understanding to their lives in there. It felt like a true story based on their lives and those of their friends, one thing I will always remember is dont mess with the Ice Cream machine!!!

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