Arts and Literature of Cuba

details of the subject’s story—ideally, through face-to-face interviews. Though they may occupy a gray area between non- fiction and fiction, testimonial narratives are generally consid- ered novels, because the writer organizes, shapes, and polishes the subject’s story. A good testimonial narrative will be faithful to the essence of the story while not necessarily transcribing every detail as it happened. Biography of a Runaway Slave was so good partly because Barnet was able to capture the voice of the book’s humble, une- ducated subject. But in addition, as a poet Barnet managed to convey the mythic quality of Montejo’s remarkable story. This

Miguel Barnet (left) sits with Cuban president Raúl Castro at the closing of the Eighth Congress of Cuba’s National Union of Writers and Artists.

Fiction 37