My Associate Fidel Castro: A Frenchman's Incredible Adventure in Cuba

Fidel turns to me again:

—Why did you come to Cuba?

—To make money! 

I answer in a matter-of-fact tone, almost smiling, and Fidel does the same:

—I’m glad you’re coming to earn money, so I can earn more than you! 

This reflection also reveals to me the prevailing state of mind in Cuba.

History, business, power, love, politics, revolution… these are just some of the ingredients of this Cuban adventure, a real tour de force by a French entrepreneur in Havana. It’s the unique journey of a pioneer who, in order to create a chain of French bakeries in Cuba, is forced to make Fidel Castro his “partner”. It’s a plunge into the paradoxical daily life of the Cuban people, who sway between laughter and despair, between passion and nonchalance.

We meet François Mitterrand, Lionel Jospin, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, singer Mireille Mathieu, Olympic boxing champion Félix Savon, Gérard Bourgoin, the Castro brothers and many other heroes of a revolution that never stops dying.

It also breathes the air of Havana, saturated with humid heat and sensuality. It’s a true economic-political thriller. And the most astonishing thing of all is that everything it tells is real!