Fausta emailed this morning to ask if I knew Cuban mystery writer José Latour who wrote his way to freedom, according to the WSJ. The answer is almost. I knew several Cuban mystery writers whom I met when I was helping form an organization called the International Association of Crime Writers in the eighties. We used to guess which of them were members of Cuban intelligence – probably they all were to one degree or another; it was the only way to be allowed to international conferences – but they clearly weren’t happy members of Cuban intelligence. Every single one of them, even the ones publicly spouting the most Stalinist rhetoric, left Cuba, sooner or later, as I recall. One of them just disappeared one day in Madrid, to resurface years later as a European. Several are now living in Spain, a happier place with, alas, more crowded beaches. I became less active in the organization about the time Jos´ joined, hence I never met him. I was told he was a fascinating man and a fine writer.
Roger L. Simon
Blacklisting Myself Memoir of a Hollywood Apostate in the Age of Terror
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The blog of the mystery writer, screenwriter and CEO of Pajamas Media
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 With gratitude to the readers of this blog without whom my new -- and first non-fiction -- book would likely never have been written.
Simon's first non-fiction book - Blacklisting Myself: Memoir of a Hollywood Apostate in an Age of Terror - Pub. date: February 5, 2009 |
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2 Comments
1. Fausta:Thank you, Roger!
We used to guess which of them were members of Cuban intelligence – probably they all were to one degree or another; it was the only way to be allowed to international conferences
A very dear friend of ours, Russian and Jewish, had to become a member of the Communist Party in order to get an education in the USSR. Even then, he was forced to leave. It was par for the course.
Latour was indeed lucky to leave Cuba with his entire family. Most of the Cuban girls I grew up with spent several years trying to get reunited with their parents and siblings. Several lost a parent.
Dec 27, 2005 - 10:35 am 2. Cuba5060:CUBA, I REMEMBER YOU/CUBA, TE RECUERDO
By OSCAR M. RAMÕREZ-ORBEA, PH.D.
**Cuba, I Remember You is a book about family, love, relationships, and survival in difficult circumstances that all readers will find to be a wonderful reading experience.
Bettie Corbin Tucker
For IP Book Reviewers
Independent Professional Reviewers
See more about the book at:
http://cubairememberyou.zoomshare.com/
CUBA, I REMEMBER YOU/CUBA, TE RECUERDO
A collection of 14 short stories, all in Spanish and English, based on the authorís experiences of childhood before and after the Communist revolution. Includes Appendix for educators wishing to use the book in Spanish or English foreign language classes. Lots of nostalgia for those who knew Cuba in the 50ís and 60ís and plenty of humor for readers in general. Includes also many period family photographs that illustrate the stories and bring them vividly to life!
About the Author
Dr. Oscar M. RamÌrez-Orbea, was born in Camag¸ey, Cuba, in 1955. He emigrated with his family to the US in 1966, after completing elementary school in his home country. He longs one day to return to his native city of Camag¸ey and to all the fond memories it holds for him. CUBA, I REMEMBER YOU/CUBA, TE RECUERDO is Dr. RamÌrezís first narrative work. More
Available now from Airleaf Publishing (www.airleaf.com) or call today to order your copy at 1-800-342ñ6068.
Product Details
Paperback: 392 pages
Publisher: Airleaf Publishing; 1st edition (January 10, 2006)
Language: English, Spanish
ISBN: 1594539553
By the same author:
Cuba, Between History and Legend
A collection of short stories based on Cuban legends and unusual histories, all told in thoroughly original and creative ways. All stories are narrated in English and Spanish on facing pages. Includes also substantial background information on the actual events on which the stories are based, as well as references for follow-up reading, and historical illustrations for all the stories. For brief descriptions of the stories, go to http://www.cubairememberyou.zoomshare.com On the market by yearís end. Cuba Ö like youíve never read it before!
Por el mismo autor:
Cuba, Entre la Historia y la Leyenda
Jul 17, 2006 - 6:31 pmUna colecciÛn de cuentos cortos basados en leyendas cubanas y en eventos insÛlitos de la historia de Cuba, todos narrados en un estilo originalÌsimo y de gran fantasÌa. Se narran todos los cuentos en inglÈs y en espaÒol, en p·ginas opuestas. Incluye considerable informaciÛn adicional sobre el fondo histÛrico de cada cuento, al igual que sugerencias para otras lecturas sobre la misma tem·tica, y se incluyen ilustraciones histÛricas de cada uno de los cuentos. Para leer breves descripciones de cada cuento, favor de dirgirse a http://www.cubairememberyou.zoomshare.com En venta hacia finales del aÒo. Cuba °como nunca te la imaginaste!