Cultural Writing. Latino/Latina Studies. Rather than decry the politics of persecution under a dictatorship or celebrate the freedoms enjoyed in the United States, Suarez instead brings to life his memories on the page: the next-door neighbour of his childhood with whom he plays firing squad, his mother's last wish to return to Cuba, his promise to his father not to return until a change comes to Cuba. His poignant tales of family disintegration, culture shock and separation are only matched by his examples of people struggling for the strength to live their modest lives and to preserve their memories in the face of the challenges of the new society around them. He sees in the raft people, in the dissidents, in the newly-minted American citizens - the same creative will that launched his own career as a writer.