The Bluest Sky

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A boy and his family face a harrowing choice: stay in Cuba under a repressive regime or risk everything for a new life. Héctor navigates two identities—publicly a staunch supporter of the government, privately longing for his exiled father. The summer of 1980 brings turmoil as the Cuban government, unable to quell public dissent, opens the port of Mariel for those wishing to leave, but only if they can find a boat. Fleeing comes with severe repercussions; those who seek to escape are branded traitors by their own community, facing violent repudiation and uncertainty about their fate. When Héctor’s mother expresses a desire to leave for the United States, he feels torn. While he yearns for his father, Cuba is the only home he has ever known, and all his dreams are tied to staying. The summer's heat intensifies, and the collision of his two worlds threatens to shatter everything he holds dear. In this gripping tale, the struggle for identity and belonging unfolds against a backdrop of danger and upheaval, leaving Héctor to confront whether he can abandon his past for an uncertain future. The author draws from her own family’s experiences during the Mariel boatlift, adding depth to this poignant narrative.