My Life by Fidel Castro with Ignacio Ramonet
The Cuban leader reveals his fascinating story.
Also In The News
Monday, 29, Oct 2007 03:24
Published by Penguin, out November 1st, 724 pages, £25.
In a nutshell...
Controversial, insightful, divisive, frank, intense
What's it all about?
My Life is the life story of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. A story which publishers have been trying to get Castro to tell for years - offers which he has always rejected - gets an airing. Castro's silence has well and truly been broken.
Castro's autobiography describes everything from his upbringing on a sugar plantation, to becoming the lawyer elected prime minister in his 30s and has stayed there ever since. Castro, with the help of French magazine editor Ignacio Ramonet, candidly and honestly takes the reader through his relationship with Che Guevara, Cuban mass migration to the US and his views on homosexuality and the survival of the death penalty.
Who's it by?
President Castro has had some help with his autobiography. Due to failing health, Ignacio Ramonet was drafted in to help him. Ramonet is the editor of French magazine Le Monde Diplomatique and a key player in organising the first World Social Forum, Ramonet is a professor in communication theory and also founded the NGO media Watch Global. He also writes frequent contributions to Spanish national newspaper El Pais.
As an example...
"When our movement, which had been born after the coup, was organised and launched its attack against the Moncada barracks complex in an attempt to bring down that spurious regime that was detested by the immense majority of the population, it did so in absolute secrecy, as an action of that sort can only be carried out." - p217
Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood Blockbuster
I would say the chances are very possible. Castro is one of the most influential political figures of the last 50 years. However, from a Hollywood prospective, the plot may vary wildly from the book.
What the others say
"Whatever one thinks of him - and for Cuban exiles the devil is decent by comparison - it is a remarkable tale: Castro became one of the world's longest-reigning dictators and a favourite bogeyman in Washington for giving the Soviet Union a beach-head in the American backyard." - The Times
So is it any good?
The mere fact that this book exists is an achievement. An often elusive and mystical figure, Castro has refused access to his life story many times. On this occasion, though, he gives Ramonet unparalled access to his family, his life and the past. The struggle of seizing power, after fighting the CIA-sponsored Bay of Pigs and the Cuban missile crisis, is a gripping tale – especially for someone who does not know about the subject in depth.
At times, My Life is a solemn and deeply revealing novel. It is astonishing that Castro has had over six hundred assassination attempts. He gives frank, honest and – at times – horrific views of other world leaders, including George Bush, Jimmy Carter and Tony Blair. A question and answer section, in which Ramonet gets to the heart of Castro, is revealing and startling. The whole book is the result of over 100 hours of conversation with Castro and, as such, is written in a more relaxed style than anyone would have predicted Castro's autobiography to be.
The reason for the book being published now is due to advancing years and ill health. Castro is now 81 and ailing, the powerful physique is a distant memory and his days are numbered. The young man who was caught in the woods by government soldiers in 1956 is still President, but his powers are delegated to his brother Raul. Cuba and the world are preparing for the post-Castro era. It is far from certain that the transition will be smooth.
Despite the revelations, the reader, however, can never be sure whether such thoughts are the truth or not. In a typical Castro move, the reader learns that "this ... book has ... been totally revised, amended and completed personally by Fidel Castro". So, whatever insight gained from Ramonet's 100 hours of total access, has potentially been altered, sensationalised or just wiped.
Take it with a pinch of salt. What may or may not be true in My Life is up for argument. What is true is that it does, in a contrived way, get to the heart of Castro. The future for Cuba is uncertain; Castro's grip is being relinquished. This book may be the last place he exercises control of any kind.
7/10
Richard Fox
"I have never seen a man like Castro he is strong leader. And I'd like to thank the one who wrote this report. Keep it up!" - Aman Anthone