The secret of the queen of cigars
The Secret of the Cigar Queen is the new book by Annette Meisl. She has put a lot of time into the research. In conversation with me, she lets us look behind the scenes. May I dare to say: This novel is a masterpiece and for every cigar lover this book is a must have near his humidor.
5 Minutes
Table of contents
I am already very excited about this novel.
The interview with the queen of cigars
You spent a lot of time on research. What insights did you discover in the process? I mean, not only for the development of the protagonists' characters, but also for you personally?
A wonderful question. The protagonist Anna is not only my great-grandmother, but my alter-ego. I discovered parallels in her character and life course, so it doesn't matter that she lived in the mid-19th century. In all the years of intensive research, partly in Cuba itself, I dived deeper and deeper into the subject of tobacco, cigars, Cuba, Latin America, colonialism and so on. So I became the expert I am today and let myself be seduced more and more by tobacco. For me, it's about the whole culture that surrounds this plant, which is still called the "master plant" by indigenous peoples. It was definitely that for me: my master and my La Galana.
What key scene in the book is the one that touches your heart the most?
When Anna meets her father at some point. That has great significance for me. That's why I dedicated the book to my uncle, who emigrated to America back in the 1950s and whom I call the "father of my heart." Life is full of unexpected turns and it is beautiful when we are ready to accept them.
Annette Meisl is the cigar queen of Cologne. Her cigar salon LA GALANA enjoys world renown!
Your new book "The Secret of the Cigar Queen" is really a book? That is, something you can touch and turn the pages of? Are books still produced at all today in the age of artificial intelligence?
As a sensual person, a book like this has to be tactile for me, of course! I love it when books smell of fresh print, then I stick my nose in and breathe deeply. Then smoke a fine cigar with it, what more could you want?
Is it also available as an eBook?
The e-book is a must nowadays, of course. People jet around the world and download a novel at the airport, which they then devour in the queue.
Where can you buy it?
At Amazon you can E-Book pre-order.
At La Galana you can Print book pre-order.
On 17.08.23 a unique event will take place. What is it about?
The management of the renowned Volksbühne am Rudolfplatz in Cologne (formerly Millowitsch Theater) has invited me to reveal the secret of my cigar queen on their stage boards. The fantastic Cuban singer and multi-instrumentalist Ney Portales will provide hot Caribbean rhythms. Nicholas von der Nahmer, young, highly talented jazz pianist whose great-grandfather was once Cologne's first music director, will accompany me on the grand piano. I don't just roll cigars, run a business and travel the world... I also sing with enthusiasm and have composed some of the songs especially for the occasion.
What tip would you like to give the readers of this interview?
No matter how bad things are in life sometimes, we should never lose hope. I have lost a lot in my life. The love of my life, the trust in people who were important to me, my existence. The road to the woman I am today was long and rocky. And yet I have always believed that in every catastrophe there is a gift hidden, even if it sometimes takes a long time to discover it. My novel is meant to give you hope. And if you're at a loss, just light a fine cigar and ponder the wisp of smoke before it vanishes into the sky....
Isn't that beautiful? Dear Annette, thank you very much for your time ❤️
La Galana cigar salon of world renown
Resources on the topic
At Amazon you can E-Book pre-order
At La Galana you can Print book pre-order
La Galana cigar salon in Cologne
This might also interest you
Annette Meisl and her review of the film "In the Heart of Havana
I hope you enjoyed my latest article and found the information it contained interesting. I am very excited to hear your views and look forward to reading your comment 🤗
Many thanks for the tip!
Ordered immediately after announcement!
A masterpiece, as you have already announced!
This romantic and captivating story accompanies me every day on my beach days with a cigar. Due to well-known problems, this year not on the shores of my favorite destination Cuba, no, but in the Dominican Republic.
Nevertheless, the touch of Cuba is omnipresent for me.
A big compliment and thank you to the author. You manage to seduce me into a time long gone.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽