The untouchable ‘Cimarrón’

• Main Author: Miguel Barnet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BRILL 1997-07-01
• Series: NWIG
• Subjects: Cuba; slavery; biographies; cultural history; Maroons
• Online Access: http://www.kitlv-journals.nl/index.php/nwig/article/view/3528

[First paragraph]
 Biografia de un cimarron has attracted many articles, criticisms and even essays, all aimed at pinpointing neglected aspects of slavery in our country. The book met with a positive reception and has been regarded as a pioneering work in terms of the method followed. It should not be forgotten that the book was published in 1966, before Truman Capote had written In Cold Blood. I was the one who suggested publishing that book in Cuba to Alejo Carpentier. In the end I translated it into Spanish and added a preface. This book aroused a great interest in me. To a certain extent, I found some similarity between it and my Biografia de un cimarron, which had already been published.