Property of the Revolution

From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town: A Memoir

By: Ana Hebra Flaster

Narrated by: Ana Hebra Flaster

In this sweeping, historical, yet intimate memoir, the author details her family’s transformation from pro-Castro revolutionaries in a scrappy Havana barrio to refugees in a New Hampshire mill town—a timeless and timely tale of loss and reinvention.

Ana Hebra Flaster was six years old when her working-class family was kicked out of their Havana barrio for opposing communism. Once devoted revolutionaries themselves but disillusioned by the Castro government’s repressive tactics, they fled to the US. The permanent losses they suffered—of home, country, and loved ones, all within forty-eight hours—haunted her multigenerational family as they reclaimed their lives and freedom in 1967 New Hampshire. There, they fed each other stories of their scrappy barrio—some of which Hebra Flaster has shared on All Things Considered—to resurrect their lost world and fortify themselves for a daunting task: building a new life in a foreign land.

Weaving pivotal events in Cuba–US history with her viejos’—elders’—stories of surviving political upheaval, impossible choices, and “refugeedom,” Property of the Revolution celebrates the indomitable spirit and wisdom of the women warriors who led the family out of Cuba, shaped its rebirth as Cuban Americans, and helped Ana grow up hopeful, future-facing—American. But what happens when deeply buried childhood memories resurface, demanding an adult’s reckoning?

Here’s how the fiercest love, the most stubborn will, and the power of family put nine new Americans back on their feet.

©2025 She Writes Press, Inc. (P)2025 Ana Hebra Flaster

The author’s incredible strength and resilience.

The author did an amazing job of conveying her story as narrator of the audible version of this book. It was so engaging at times I became emerged in her world and part of her family along the way. Enlighting and educational. A must read!

Couldn’t put it down!

A poignant and uplifting story filled with warmth and humor that also offers a fascinating insight into Cuban history and culture.

A fascinating and compelling story

I absolutely loved this book. The writing is beautiful, and the author’s family stories are fascinating and compelling. The structure of the book is brilliant. I learned so much about Cuban history and was moved by the experiences described. I listened to the audible version, and I loved hearing the narrator’s/author’s voice. Ana made me feel like I was sitting right next to her and her pronunciation of the Spanish words and singing gave a whole other dimension to the story. I highly recommend this amazing book!

Don’t miss this one!

Heartfelt generational story of a family’s struggles and triumphs as they leave their mother country and assimilate in a new one.

Great memoir! Learned so much about Cuban history!

Thank you Ana for sharing your story with us! Great book it is one of my favorites.