“How to Say Goodbye in Cuban” (Ann Schwarz 2025) is author-illustrator, Daniel Miyare’s
coming-of-age memoir, told as a graphic novel.
Carlos, the protagonist, and the father of the author, is living a carefree life as a child, playing baseball with his friend, Alvaro, in a small Cuban coastal town. With his Abuelo, he makes a slingshot for whipping rocks at bottles. Papí and Abuelo work as farmers on a sugar cane plantation and are fairly poor.
In the meantime, Fidel Castro and a group of revolutionaries, have returned to Cuba bent on overthrowing the government of Batista who supports the rich. Many poor Cubans join Castro’s revolution.
Then luck strikes. Papi wins the lottery. Against Carlos’ wishes, the family moves to the city, leaving behind Abuelo, his aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, so that his father can start a furniture business with his newly won wealth. In school he’s teased as “country” and at the same time, accused of being rich. Carlos tries to explain that their money is a recent lottery win. But his life is rough. Or so he thinks.
In the meantime, Batista’s government is cracking down on the revolutionaries, suspending constitutional rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Poor Cubans flock to support Castro and his revolution.
In 1959, Castro and his militia, arrive in the capital, Havana, and Batista flees. Now Castro suspends rights to all Cubans—including the right to vote. Castro takes control of factories, farms, and private businesses. When police come to the family’s new larger home, everyone hides except Papí. When they come out of hiding, Papí is tense.
Carlos, just twelve, is treated like his younger brothers and sisters, not being told anything about what’s happening. His father disappears, which makes Carlos even angrier because he’s not told where or why. Does Mamí know where Papi is? His normally loving and positive Mamí, is distraught.
Their neighbors, the Ortegas, are taken away by police. Carlos wants to know what’s going on. Mamí confesses to him that his father has gone to America. She tells him he mustn’t tell anyone. The walls have ears.
Cuba aligns with the Soviet Union and communism. A U.S.-backed militia attack Cuba—the Bay of Pigs Invasion—but are slaughtered by Castro’s militia.
Cuba has become even more dangerous to the family. They’re determined to escape, but that means crossing an ocean. This harrowing depiction of a family determined to survive and live well is beautifully rendered in illustration and text. The use of light and shadow in the paintings is breathtaking. What a page-turner! And so much to learn!
Patricia Hruby Powell is the author of the award-winning books: Josephine; Lift As You Climb; Loving vs Virginia; and Struttin’ with Some Barbecue all signed and for sale at Jane Addams bookstore. Her forthcoming books are about bird migration, Martha Graham, Ella Fitzgerald, and waterfowl; as well as a paperback version of Loving vs. Viriginia releasing in 2027. talesforallages.com
Leave a Reply