To the Indomitable Hearts: The Prison Letters of Luciano "Tortuga" Pitronello

by Luciano "Tortuga" Pitronello

Luciano "Tortuga" Pitronella sits in prison (house arrest) convicted of the attempted bombing of a bank in Santiago, Chile in 2011. After being slandered and disrespected by the press and disowned by many of his own comrades, six years later he is still fighting for his freedom. This book collects letters to and from him in a passionate and heart-felt collection that is inspiring and touching. A benefit for anarchists imprisoned by the Chilean State. Translated by War On Society.

101 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book very inspiring! He made it through so much and stayed so strong. I listened to it as an audiobook Here

Luciano also did an interview with crimethinc.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

"They seek to castigate and exemplify that by choosing a determined way of life, you will find yourself in the sights of the police, the press, the citizens in the service of power, but if you choose a normal way of life, you may walk in peace. Peacefully? What is peacefully? To crush yourself into a day to day routine of shit that will exhaust your spirit into abandoning a life that means anything? Yes, if for the others this is to live peacefully, well then I prefer to live a libertarian life wildly."

Prison letters to and from a Chilean anarchist, Tortuga, who tried to bomb a bank in 2011 amidst other protests but ended with a few fingers short and in prison. Whether one agrees or disagrees with his ideological views (and neither stance has to be held in totality), this collection succeeds in humanizing a man painted as a terrorist for daring to escalate easily-spoken words into difficultly-undertaken actions. I was especially amused by his letter about going on an "affection strike" in order to prove his sincerity to a lover; here is a man who bows to no government and no authority, except, apparently, that of his girlfriend. Still, it's a beautiful display of humanity refuting the harshness of our supposed reality yet yielding to the softness love carries, triumphant above all else.