Leaving Castro's Cuba

Book excerpt: From Zeida's notes: In that summer of 1962 I was told to teach a group of basic secondary teachers a summer course in math. It was a nice group and we enjoyed it without ever talking of politics. But now my mind was made up. I was going to leave the country that very same year. Everything was completely controlled by the government. There was not any personal freedom. I didn't want my girls to grow up with such rigid controls. I wanted them free, so I had to leave. At the time she was not prepared for the obstacles she'd have to face. This is the story of one middle-class family who shares in the excitement of Castro's victory only to experience disillusionment and betrayal. Struggling against repression and economic hardships, Marina's mother, Zeida, a teacher and single mother, goes to extraordinary measures to protect her daughters and defend her principles. Marina Villa's illuminating account of life in Cuba during its communist transformation and the family's immigration to the United States is an inspiring gift that puts into full relief the Cuban-American experience. Marina uses excerpts from her mother's writings, interviews with friends and family members, and her own memories to tell her mother's story. Full of the same spirit her mother brought to her life, Leaving Castro's Cuba: The Story of an Immigrant Family recounts their journey while weaving a rich tapestry of familial sacrifice, courage, and love.