Cuba, I Remember You / Cuba, te recuerdo (English and Spanish Edition) [Paperback]

Oscar M. Ramirez-Orbea (Author), Oscar Orbea (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2006

A bilingual collection of 14 short stories, all in Spanish and English, based on the author’s 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 50’s and 60’s and plenty of humor for readers in general. Includes many period family photographs that illustrate the stories. The stories explore themes of family life, childhood friendships, school life, Cuban Catholic culture, the passing of loved ones, and the effects of the dramatic political events that forever changed Cuba in 1959. Each story is narrated in facing pages of Spanish and English text. They are all told with a good deal of humor but also with a deep feeling of nostalgia for a beloved land and recounted with a great love of family, both living and dead. For those who lived in Cuba, the collection will evoke bittersweet memories of their own families and lives on the island; for others, it will make them experience, through the eyes of a native, everyday life in Cuba before and after the Revolution. The collection has been created not just with Cubans in mind! It is definitely for the general reader, especially one who enjoys plenty of humor, a little history, and stories of family life. Una colección bilingüe de 14 cuentos cortos, todos en inglés y en español, basados en las experiencias del autor antes y después de la revolución comunista. Incluye una Apéndice para enseñantes que deseen emplear el libro en cursos de inglés o de español como idiomas extranjeros. Muchísima nostalgia para los que conocieron a Cuba en los cincuenta y los sesenta y muchísimo buen humor para todos los lectores en general. Incluye también numerosas fotografías de época que ilustran los cuentos. Los cuentos exploran la temática de la familia, las amistades de la niñez, la vida escolar, la cultura católica cubana, la pérdida de los seres queridos, y los efectos de los dramáticos eventos políticos que para siempre cambiaron a Cuba en 1959. Todos los cuentos se narran en español y en inglés en páginas opuestas. Se revelan con un gran sentido de humor pero también con un profundo sentimiento de nostalgia hacia una lejana pero queridísima tierra. Y se muestra también en ellos un gran cariño hacia todos los parientes queridos, ya estén vivos o ausentes. Para los que vivieron en Cuba, la colección les traerá recuerdos a veces penosos y otras veces alegres de sus propias familias y de su vida en la Isla. Para los demás, les hará experimentar, a través de los ojos de uno del país, la vida cotidiana en Cuba antes y después de la Revolución. ¡Esta antología se ha creado no solamente para los cubanos! Se ha considerado en todo momento al lector en general, sobre todo aquel que aprecia el buen humor, un poquito de historia, y los cuentos de la vida en familia.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Oscar M. Ramírez-Orbea, was born in Camagüey, Cuba, in 1955. He emigrated with his family to the US in 1966. Dr. Ramirez-Orbea obtained his Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literature at UCLA, from where he graduated with highest honors. Cuba, I Remember You is Dr. Ramírez’s first narrative work. Future writing plans currently under work include the role of Catholicism in a post-Communist Cuba as well as an anthology of Cuban historical events and colofurl legends. El doctor Oscar M. Ramírez Orbea nació en Camagüey, Cuba, en 1955. Emigró a los Estados Unidos con su familia en 1966. Obtuvo su doctorado en lenguas y literaturas romances de la Universidad de California en Los Angeles (UCLA) diplomándose con los más altos honores. Cuba te recuerdo es la primera obra narrativa del profesor Ramírez Orbea. Actualmente prepara una obra sobre el papel del catolicismo en una Cuba post-castrista al igual que otra sobre hechos historicos y leyendas pintorescas de Cuba.

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Airleaf Publishing; 1st edition (January 10, 2006)
• Language: English, Spanish
• ISBN-10: 1594539553
• ISBN-13: 978-1594539558
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,436,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cuba, I Remember You/Cuba, te recuerdo, February 5, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Cuba, I Remember You / Cuba, te recuerdo (English and Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

I picked up this book because of the bi-lingual english spanish to help me with my spanish. It was very easy to follow and most of all very interesting. Lucy, Dallas, Tx

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Wonderful Set of Stories, February 5, 2006

By 

Jessie "Jes" (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cuba, I Remember You / Cuba, te recuerdo (English and Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

I have to admit I was a little reluctant at getting this book because of the title, not being of Hispanic origin I felt it might be interesting to me, so on the referral of a friend I bought it and let me tell you I will not let ethnic sounding or looking books sway me in the future, this book is truly for anyone who has family stories no matter where you come from. It was very well put together with the pictures that left you with a sense of knowing the characters. I plan on reading it again, it was very touching. Jessica, New Orleans, LA

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real Heart Felt book about Cuban Family Life, January 26, 2006

By 

Jimmy House "Jim" (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cuba, I Remember You / Cuba, te recuerdo (English and Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

A must read for any Cuban who came to this country after the revolution started in Cuba or anyone who has had difficult strugles in life and wants to remmeber the good things and the things that were really important during all the caios. Can't wait to see what this author come out with next!