Waiting on Zapote Street: Love and Loss in Castro's Cuba - Softcover

Viamontes, Betty

Softcover

ISBN 10: 098642370X ISBN 13: 9780986423703

Publisher: Zapote Street Books, LLC, 2015

Synopsis

Winner of the 2018 Latino Books Into Movies Award, Drama TV Series. As the winds of revolution blow through Cuba, Laura Ocampo, a restless university student, defies her upbringing and becomes a supporter of Fidel Castro’s rebels. When the hated Batista flees the country, she joins the thousands pouring into the streets to cheer as the bearded rebels, in the backs of trucks, roll into Havana in victory. Laura finds true love with a handsome revolutionary named Rio, and despite her family’s pleas, they marry and start a family. But as the government becomes repressive, then brutal, she convinces Rio to leave Cuba while he still can. She plans to follow with their children, but a cruel twist of fate prevents their escape. As the country deteriorates, Laura must fight to protect and provide for her children while continuing to seek a way out. Separated by world politics and the communist regime, Rio and Laura are forced into things they had never imagined—including Santeria and organized crime—in order to survive. The one last chance to reunite their family will be greatest test of courage Laura has ever faced. “From its opening shocks of loss and separation to its thrilling and emotional conclusion, Waiting on Zapote Street gives us a front-row experience of a Cuban family’s hardship, love, and enduring love.” John Henry Fleming, author and University of South Florida Creative Writing professor. “This touching narrative depicts the harrowing trials, loss and separation that hit one particular family in Cuba when Castro comes to power...The author demonstrates numerous layers of Cuban life and belief...” Judge, 25th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Public Book Awards. “We were captivated by this intimate portrayal of the impact of “la revolución.” United Nations (UN) Women Book Club of Gulf Coast. “The story will take the reader on a rollercoaster ride filled with love and also anger that will test your emotions... It is definitely one of the best books I’ve read.” The Latino Author.

About this title

About the Author:

Betty Viamontes was born in Havana, Cuba. In 1980, at age 15, at the height of a massive Cuban exodus from the Port of Mariel in Havana, she immigrated to the United States with her mother and siblings. Betty Viamontes completed graduate studies at the University of South Florida and moved on to a successful career in Accounting. She has published several short stories, but this is her first novel. Currently, she is working on a second book. Betty Viamontes lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband and family.

About this edition

• Publisher: Zapote Street Books, LLC
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 098642370X
• ISBN 13: 9780986423703
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 251