Leaving Glorytown

One Boy's Struggle Under Castro

De: Eduardo Calcines

Narrado por: Eduardo Calcines

Eduardo F. Calcines was a child of Fidel Castros Cuba; he was just three years old when Castro came to power in January 1959. After that, everything changed for his family and his country. When he was 10, his family applied for an exit visa to emigrate to America and he was ridiculed by his schoolmates and even his teachers for being a traitor to his country. But even worse, his father was sent to an agricultural reform camp to do hard labor as punishment for daring to want to leave Cuba.

During the years to come, as he grew up in Glorytown, a neighborhood in the city of Cienfuegos, Eduardo hoped with all his might that their exit visa would be granted before he turned 15, the age at which he would be drafted into the army.

In this absorbing memoir, by turns humorous and heartbreaking, Eduardo Calcines recounts his boyhood and chronicles the conditions that led him to wish above all else to leave behind his beloved extended family and his home for a chance at a better future.

©2010 Eduardo F. Calcines (P)2010 Listening Library

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Calcines’ vibrant writing gives readers an intimate, front-porch view of his family . . . . will captivate readers and open a door to a subject seldom written about for teens.” ( Booklist)

eye opening detail about communist cuba

eye opening detail about communist cuba, Riveting and sad story of the suffering the cuban people endure under Fidel. It amazed me to learn that even children were subject to bullying by the cuban government. it also amazed me to see that faith in god and the dream of freedom always prevails over tyranny. I enjoyed listening to the author voice while not a seasoned narrator you could hear the sincerity in his voice.

Shared memories

Reading your book brought me back to my own story as a child. Cuba and my people left behind will always have my heart. America will always have my gratitude. Thank you so much for writing this book.