Fighting Castro: A Love Story
by Kay Abella
Published by WingSpan Press
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Reviewed By Michele E. Davis
This is a novelized true story about the lifestyle changes in Havana and Cuba after Castro overthrows Batista. Emy and Lino Fernandez, initially a young married couple, witness the disappearance of their friends, a palpable tension in the air, and militia members hovering on the sidelines. Lino, a doctor, predicts early on that Castro and his men will “control every power spot.”
Emy experiences her friends migrating to the United States, as well as her neighbors disguising themselves as friends—but ready to alert the militia about any covert activity that may be perceived as an act against the new government. It was made clear that you were an objector if you criticized the new regime, weren’t involved with fringe groups that promoted Castro, or behaved enthusiastically. Totalitarianism rule was upon Cuba.
There would be no democracy, which prompts Emy and Lino to partake in the underground resistance movement against both Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, turning over their two young children to Emy’s parents. Lino saw Lucia, his last child, born and then left to distribute arms to Yaguajcy peasants. While there he and several other men are ambushed by the militia and Lino is caught, beaten and imprisoned at G-2 in Santa Clara, a renowned execution camp.
Lino wouldn’t see his family again until the 1980s in Miami. All the while, Emy struggles in Havana where she is viewed as the wife of a traitor. Emy, Lino and their children were the lucky ones; they survived.
Armchair Interviews says: Fascinating read about Castro’s Cuba and America’s involvement through the eyes of Lino and Emy Frenandez.
Author’s Web site: http://www.KayAbella.com