La Vida Real. A True Story: a Cuban in New York

February 8, 2011 - 4:00 pm

Miguel Barnet, Writer
Barnet will discuss the process of writing his fourth testimonial novel La vida real (1986) and its vicissitudes. La vida real is the result of months Barnet spent in New York researching the Cuban emigrant experience in the city thanks to the support of a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship. The first English translation of this novel by Regina Galasso was recently published by Jorge Pinto Books in the fall of 2010 with the title A True Story: A Cuban in New York. Barnet’s presentation about his experience gathering material for La vida real will mark the first time in over twenty years that Barnet visits New York.

Moderator:
Mauricio Font, Bildner Center for Western Hemisphere Studies

Miguel Barnet is a renowned Cuban writer, novelist, poet, and ethnographer whose works have encompassed several sociological and anthropological themes. He is best known for his testimonial novels. His publications include Biografía de un cimarrón(1966), Canción de Rachel (1969), Gallego (1983), La vida real (1986), and Oficio de ángel (1989). In addition to these novels, Barnet has published numerous poems, including Orikis y otros poemas (1980), Carta de noche (1982), Viendo mi vida pasar(1987), Mapa del tiempo (1989), Poemas chinos (1993), Con pies de gato (1993), andActas del final (2000), as well as ethnographies and essays. He is currently the president of UNEAC (Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba).