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HAVANA DREAMS By Wendy Gimbel Knopf, 234 pages, $24

Politics and eloquent prose merge in this account of the life of Naty Revuelta, a Cuban socialite housewife who had an affair with Fidel Castro during the 1950s and bore him an illegitimate child. Naty’s betrayal of both her husband and social status is illustrated in Castro’s letters: “If you have suffered because of me, consider that, with pleasure, I would give my life for your honor and well-being.” Post-revolution, Castro broke off all contact with Naty. Author Gimbel offers Naty’s story as a parable for Cuba’s recent troubles and revisionism.