CUBA AND THE NIGHT by Pico...

CUBA AND THE NIGHT by Pico Iyer (Vintage: $12.; 234 pp.). The first novel by the noted travel writer captures the sensual nights and dreary days of Castro’s Havana. Richard, Iyer’s narrator, is an alienated photographer who clings to his status as an outsider/observer. To his surprise, he falls in love with the beautiful, restless Lourdes. Like many men and women of her generation, Lourdes sees no future for herself in a Cuba that offers increasingly limited rations and no hope of a job, travel or even amusement. Richard comments, “It’s like history’s on the pause button here. . . . This is the only place I know where everything’s moving and nothing ever changes.” Unable to make a commitment to anyone or anything, Richard destroys his fond hopes as he arranges Lourdes’ escape.