Change

A Cuban Girls Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

By: Laura Taylor Namey

    A theme I see represented in this book constantly is the idea of change. Lila Reyes, (the main character) who lives in Miami, Florida,  has had to deal with plenty of change in her life over the course of a couple of months. She has experienced what she called "The Trifecta". First, her grandmother, who she loved dearly, passed away. Next, her boyfriend who she was dating for what felt like forever, broke up with her. Last, to solve her problems (or so her parents thought), she was sent to England for the summer, to help he recover mentally.  She did not like this idea, but she had no choice or energy to resist, or argue. 
   Lila's family is big on baking. Her grandmother owned a bakery before she passed, and it was also ways Lila's dream to take over one day. Once her grandmother passed away, Lila's passion for baking grew stronger, and her desire to take over became a determination, more than a dream. She had to adjust to what happened to her grandmother, and all she could think about was how she was going to keep the bakery intact. Once her parents suggested going to England, all she could think about was leaving the bakery behind, a not being able to take it over. Her parents wanted England to be a place where she could start over, and begin a knew journey for herself. Lila looked at is a punishment, and dreaded the idea entirely. 
   Once Lila got to England, she headed straight for her mom's friends bakery. The biggest change she has faced at this time, is navigating around a knew kitchen, and trying to bake again after what she went through. She didn't seem to understand why she was having such a hard time, and began to feel even worse than she felt while in Miami. She grows tired of all of the changes she's going through, as she has not found a solid ground, and space where she feels 100% content with herself. She messed up desserts she's done perfectly for years, she isn't thinking straight, and she just isn't in the right headspace. Though she soon realizes that England uses Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, she still feels disappointed in herself, and wishes she just stayed in Miami. Where everything was familiar, and the same. 
   In conclusion, change is a common theme I have noticed while reading this novel. Lila Reyes, a 17 year old girl living in Miami Florida, feels as if she has bee put through the wringer. Her life is changing every day, and not always for the best. One of the best things in her life is gone, and her passion for baking is drifting away with it. Change in this novel is introduced as a bad thing, or something that lacks joy. Although, I believe that Lila will eventually grow to see change as more than a bad thing. She will soon see the good in certain situations.