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The Autobiography of a Runaway Slave
The recorded memoirs of a 105-year-old Cuban black ex-slave, this book includes a bibliographical essay, intended to enable readers and students to study the Cuban historical literary and social background, and to put the book into the wider contest of other life-histories.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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About the author
Miguel Barnet
81 books17 followersMiguel Barnet, is one of Cuba's most distinguished writers and poets as well as a member of the island's National Assembly. He is also the president of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), an organization with more than 8,000 members. He is an outspoken intellectual, having studied first in the United States and later at the University of Havana. He is best known for his testimonial novel Biography of a Runaway Slave, Biografía de un Cimarrón in Spanish, but he has written dozens of other novels, poems and articles, including a number of stories for Cigar Aficionado. He's been called the Truman Capote of Cuba.
Barnet first came to national attention as the poet of La piedra fina y el pavorreal (1963) and the much-praised La sagrada familia (1967), a lyrical autopsy of petit bourgeois domestic life. Publication of Biografía de un cimarrón (1966; The Autobiography of a Runaway Slave, 1968), the first in an ethnic tetralogy of documentary narratives, brought almost immediate international acclaim and established him as an innovating pioneer of the testimonial genre in contemporary Latin America. La canción de Rachel (1969; Rachel's Song, 1991), Gallego (1981), and La vida real (1986) confirmed his reputation as Cuba's premier exponent of the documentary novel.
Barnet first came to national attention as the poet of La piedra fina y el pavorreal (1963) and the much-praised La sagrada familia (1967), a lyrical autopsy of petit bourgeois domestic life. Publication of Biografía de un cimarrón (1966; The Autobiography of a Runaway Slave, 1968), the first in an ethnic tetralogy of documentary narratives, brought almost immediate international acclaim and established him as an innovating pioneer of the testimonial genre in contemporary Latin America. La canción de Rachel (1969; Rachel's Song, 1991), Gallego (1981), and La vida real (1986) confirmed his reputation as Cuba's premier exponent of the documentary novel.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 31, 2014
This is an extraordinary memoir from a man who was born a slave on a plantation in Cuba circa 1860. Montejo came to the attention of Barnet because of a 1963 newspaper article celebrating Cubans who were over 100 years old. Barnet began interviewing Montejo at the Veteran’s Home, and later transcribed those interviews into this book. It covers at most the first 40 years of Montejo’s life, ending shortly after Cuba won independence from Spain.
I was almost immediately reminded of the stories my grandfather (and later my father) would tell about his youthful escapades; this is no doubt a result of Barnet having transcribed Montejo’s oral storytelling. I particularly enjoyed his memories of living by his wits in the jungle forests after escaping slavery. He outlines the ways he found (or made) shelter, food, and healing plants. Montejo also gives us a lot of his own personal philosophy – how he judges the people he meets, why he keeps his own counsel, opinions on Spaniards, Americans and Catholic priests. He recounts the legends and foundations of various African, Creole or Canary Island religions, and explains how to avoid curses, ghosts, witches, and demons. He is an astute judge of character and is brutally honest about the virtues and vices of people he encountered during these years. Some of his political observations ring just as true about today’s situations as about Cuba in the late 19th century. And he is open about the brutalities of war as well.
Having read this memoir, I wish I could have met this man … who learned to read at age 108 so he could read the book! (He lived to the age of 113.)
I was almost immediately reminded of the stories my grandfather (and later my father) would tell about his youthful escapades; this is no doubt a result of Barnet having transcribed Montejo’s oral storytelling. I particularly enjoyed his memories of living by his wits in the jungle forests after escaping slavery. He outlines the ways he found (or made) shelter, food, and healing plants. Montejo also gives us a lot of his own personal philosophy – how he judges the people he meets, why he keeps his own counsel, opinions on Spaniards, Americans and Catholic priests. He recounts the legends and foundations of various African, Creole or Canary Island religions, and explains how to avoid curses, ghosts, witches, and demons. He is an astute judge of character and is brutally honest about the virtues and vices of people he encountered during these years. Some of his political observations ring just as true about today’s situations as about Cuba in the late 19th century. And he is open about the brutalities of war as well.
Having read this memoir, I wish I could have met this man … who learned to read at age 108 so he could read the book! (He lived to the age of 113.)
February 18, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars (Great!)
It's hard to rate and review a book like this, because in all ways, it is well worthy of being read and of great interest to those of us who wonder what life was like in historical Cuba. There is an enormous attention to detail that you won't find in many autobiographies: this book truly brings you the culture of long ago Cuba, along with an absolutely amazing survivor's tale. The only downside is, due to the way this was produced (an oral autobiography written down), you do lose some of the magic and find yourself lost on certain occasions.
Esteban grows up in a hostile environment I'm not sure I would've survived in. He doesn't even know who his parents are, and there is no familial bond to keep him on the plantation, as he was raised by wet nurses. As I read, I was reminded of the dystopian society of Brave New World which I read around this time last year- this autobiography was like that, except Esteban was aware that society in general wasn't in any way beneficial to him. It seemed even from the beginning, he was destined to run away.
The Plot (As Seen on the Back of My Book):
'There were four periods in the life of Esteban Montejo. Born on a plantation in 1860, he was raised as a slave, spent ten years in the Cuban forests as a runaway, returned to the plantation when slavery had been abolished, the returned to the hills to become a revolutionary in the Cuban War for Independence of 1895. His story, told in the wise, humorous voice of a survivor of this vanished world, brings to life with rare simplicity and integrity this crucial period in Cuba's history.'
The most moving part of the book is likely the first part, the chronicle of Esteban's daily life while he was enslaved. It's simply unimaginable the conditions he and others lived under- locked into a dirt-floored shed at night (he called them barracoons) where there were no bathrooms.
In his own words (during one of the times he tried to run away):
~Autobiography of a Runaway Slave by Esteban Montejo, about 20% through
It's during the other sections of his life that you learn more about Cuba's culture as a whole: he tells of the varying religions and magic practices (apparently, you don't mess with the Congolese as they are wickedly talented with their magic), the different dances (some were only for "white" people, as a law), the varying food (there was a chocolate drink with vinegar in it I wanted to try), and how he survived in the forest after having escaped slavery, utilizing different plants to heal his wounds, and avoiding snakes. There is a wealth of culture in this book, but due to the way it was written, you often get lost, or wonder if things are being repeated (because they 'sound' very familiar). If it had been written/told when Esteban was a younger man or the 'writer' had inserted some details to give those of us who don't really know much about Cuba a clearer picture, this book would likely rank higher in my esteem. As it stands, though, you do need to know a little about Cuba or infer it yourself to enjoy reading this book.
The Autobiography of a Runaway Slave is a journey into Cuba's past- and a primer on some of the lost cultures. It is also the story of a man who survived despite the odds being stacked against him, overcoming many things, and teaching us, the readers, many things through the telling of his story. In some ways, this book is flawed, but I have no doubt that he told everything exactly as he saw it, which makes me respect him even more. If you know something about Cuba's history but want to learn more about its historical culture, especially from the perspective of a person of color, I recommend this book for you.
As seen on my book blog, Victorian Soul Critiques.
It's hard to rate and review a book like this, because in all ways, it is well worthy of being read and of great interest to those of us who wonder what life was like in historical Cuba. There is an enormous attention to detail that you won't find in many autobiographies: this book truly brings you the culture of long ago Cuba, along with an absolutely amazing survivor's tale. The only downside is, due to the way this was produced (an oral autobiography written down), you do lose some of the magic and find yourself lost on certain occasions.
Esteban grows up in a hostile environment I'm not sure I would've survived in. He doesn't even know who his parents are, and there is no familial bond to keep him on the plantation, as he was raised by wet nurses. As I read, I was reminded of the dystopian society of Brave New World which I read around this time last year- this autobiography was like that, except Esteban was aware that society in general wasn't in any way beneficial to him. It seemed even from the beginning, he was destined to run away.
The Plot (As Seen on the Back of My Book):
'There were four periods in the life of Esteban Montejo. Born on a plantation in 1860, he was raised as a slave, spent ten years in the Cuban forests as a runaway, returned to the plantation when slavery had been abolished, the returned to the hills to become a revolutionary in the Cuban War for Independence of 1895. His story, told in the wise, humorous voice of a survivor of this vanished world, brings to life with rare simplicity and integrity this crucial period in Cuba's history.'
The most moving part of the book is likely the first part, the chronicle of Esteban's daily life while he was enslaved. It's simply unimaginable the conditions he and others lived under- locked into a dirt-floored shed at night (he called them barracoons) where there were no bathrooms.
In his own words (during one of the times he tried to run away):
But they caught me without a struggle, clapped a pair of shackles on me (I can still feel them when I think back), screwed them up tight and sent me back to work wearing them. You talk about this sort of thing today and people don't believe you, but it happened to me and I have to say so.
~Autobiography of a Runaway Slave by Esteban Montejo, about 20% through
It's during the other sections of his life that you learn more about Cuba's culture as a whole: he tells of the varying religions and magic practices (apparently, you don't mess with the Congolese as they are wickedly talented with their magic), the different dances (some were only for "white" people, as a law), the varying food (there was a chocolate drink with vinegar in it I wanted to try), and how he survived in the forest after having escaped slavery, utilizing different plants to heal his wounds, and avoiding snakes. There is a wealth of culture in this book, but due to the way it was written, you often get lost, or wonder if things are being repeated (because they 'sound' very familiar). If it had been written/told when Esteban was a younger man or the 'writer' had inserted some details to give those of us who don't really know much about Cuba a clearer picture, this book would likely rank higher in my esteem. As it stands, though, you do need to know a little about Cuba or infer it yourself to enjoy reading this book.
The Autobiography of a Runaway Slave is a journey into Cuba's past- and a primer on some of the lost cultures. It is also the story of a man who survived despite the odds being stacked against him, overcoming many things, and teaching us, the readers, many things through the telling of his story. In some ways, this book is flawed, but I have no doubt that he told everything exactly as he saw it, which makes me respect him even more. If you know something about Cuba's history but want to learn more about its historical culture, especially from the perspective of a person of color, I recommend this book for you.
As seen on my book blog, Victorian Soul Critiques.
December 13, 2021
Really great read. Not much else to say. Anytime one can get their hands on a first-hand account from a formerly enslaved person, it’s a blessing.
Esteban discusses life during slavery, his time as a runaway, life after emancipation, and his time fighting in the Cuban war of independence against Spain. There’s a lot of great stories, information on Afro-Cuban groups, customs, rituals, games, etc, info on revolutionary figures, and so on. We’ll worth the read for sure!
Esteban discusses life during slavery, his time as a runaway, life after emancipation, and his time fighting in the Cuban war of independence against Spain. There’s a lot of great stories, information on Afro-Cuban groups, customs, rituals, games, etc, info on revolutionary figures, and so on. We’ll worth the read for sure!
December 2, 2021
Enlightening.
It was a surprisingly fun read, considering that it dealt with slavery, plantation work and war. Esteban's voice, his character, was vibrant and his frank wit really shone through. Not to mention his insight into humanity. I would read this book again.
It was a surprisingly fun read, considering that it dealt with slavery, plantation work and war. Esteban's voice, his character, was vibrant and his frank wit really shone through. Not to mention his insight into humanity. I would read this book again.
August 19, 2024
Drop me in the jungle and I die day 0.43
September 24, 2012
Miguel Barnet, Cuban poet and anthropologist, took notes and taped this first hand account of a former slave, Esteban Montejo, for two years from the time Montejo was 103 until his death at 105.
From Barnet's notes and tapes we have this sometimes disjointed but very interesting account of slavery, the customs of the times, and of the later Cuban revolution for independence.
Born of a Cuban black slave woman surnamed Montejo and an African born black man and immediately separated from them at birth*, Esteban worked in the cane fields until he was 11 when he escaped to the then abundant forest at the center of the island of Cuba in Las Villas province. Ten years later he learned that slavery had been abolished and so emerged from the forest and went to work again on a sugar plantation as this was the only work he knew. Later, he joined the Cuban revolution against Spain.
Esteban is sometimes coarse and crude when he philosophizes as he's a totally illiterate individual however it's not often that one gets a first-hand view of life during slavery and in subsequent years. I found it to be very fascinating. (Translation into English by Jocasta Innes.)
*Slaves were bred like chattel and separated from their parents at birth. As Cuba is a Roman Catholic country he was, however, baptized and he said that from his godparents whom he later met in the 1890's he learned his date of birth and the names and origins of his parents.
From Barnet's notes and tapes we have this sometimes disjointed but very interesting account of slavery, the customs of the times, and of the later Cuban revolution for independence.
Born of a Cuban black slave woman surnamed Montejo and an African born black man and immediately separated from them at birth*, Esteban worked in the cane fields until he was 11 when he escaped to the then abundant forest at the center of the island of Cuba in Las Villas province. Ten years later he learned that slavery had been abolished and so emerged from the forest and went to work again on a sugar plantation as this was the only work he knew. Later, he joined the Cuban revolution against Spain.
Esteban is sometimes coarse and crude when he philosophizes as he's a totally illiterate individual however it's not often that one gets a first-hand view of life during slavery and in subsequent years. I found it to be very fascinating. (Translation into English by Jocasta Innes.)
*Slaves were bred like chattel and separated from their parents at birth. As Cuba is a Roman Catholic country he was, however, baptized and he said that from his godparents whom he later met in the 1890's he learned his date of birth and the names and origins of his parents.
bøgernes-verden
October 12, 2018Cuba
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews