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The Optimistic Cuban
A novel
Brief Description
In a city torn by revolution, his heart is caught between love, loyalty, and the price of freedom. In 1959 Havana, middle-class student activist Fernando fights against the corrupt, U.S.-backed Batista regime. Initially elated by the success of Castro's Communist Revolution, Fernando's excitement soon fades as...
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The Optimistic Cuban
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Description
In a city torn by revolution, his heart is caught between love, loyalty, and the price of freedom.
In 1959 Havana, middle-class student activist Fernando fights against the corrupt, U.S.-backed Batista regime. Initially elated by the success of Castro's Communist Revolution, Fernando's excitement soon fades as he grapples with the harsh realities of the new government's oppression.
Meanwhile, his beloved Julia and best friend Gustavo, who come from impoverished Black families, are hopeful that the Revolution will bring long-awaited social change. This difference in political beliefs creates friction, but Fernando's feelings for Julia remain strong. When faced with challenges to his personal life and values, Fernando must navigate a world of divided loyalties, harsh political realities, and deep social divides.
As tensions mount, Fernando finds himself at a crossroads, torn between his homeland and a future elsewhere. Ultimately, he faces a choice that will test his beliefs, his loyalties, and the depth of his love.
The Optimistic Cuban by José Sotolongo presents a powerful narrative of struggle, identity, and heart-wrenching decisions at a pivotal time in Cuban history.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781592116065
Publisher: Histria LLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 07 October 2025
Country: United States
Imprint: Vita Histria
Illustration: Illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 152.0mm
Height: 228.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 300
About the Author
Jose Sotolongo was born in Cuba. His work has been featured in various literary journals, including Atticus Review, Border Crossings, The Southampton Review, Third Coast, and Miracle Monocle. His fiction has been nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. A second novel, Knowing Grace, is set for release in 2025 by Evolved Press. He lives with his husband in the Catskills of New York.
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