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Concrete Wings: One Man's Fifty Year Journey to Personal Freedom Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 53

Editorial Reviews

Review

Five Stars: Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Concrete Wings: One Man's Fifty Year Journey to Personal Freedom by Beverly Gandara is a historical novel that follows the life and struggles of Julian Vida, a Cuban immigrant, and his journey to inner freedom. It is the eve of the event that has come to be known in history as the Bay of Pigs Invasion and a naïve teenage boy, Julian, is charged with saving smuggled family jewels, escaping being drafted into Fidel Castro's army, and preparing a place for his family in the US. This is a coming of age story that explores the political and sexual revolution in the USA. Julian experiences a lot of freedom until the arrival of his parents, who can't blend in with the American way of life. Read on to discover his heartaches, his inner turmoil, and what constitutes his ultimate success.

This is a beautiful story that is beautifully told and the reader is transported into the Cuban world view at the wake of the twentieth century. One of the things that caught my attention was the vivid portrait of the culture as the author weaves cultural elements into the story, allowing readers to penetrate the soul of the Cuban. The historical references come out neatly in the narrative and readers will be absorbed by the social commentary the author makes. The conflict is well-developed and it has a lot of psychological implications for the protagonist. Concrete Wings: One Man's Fifty Year Journey to Personal Freedom is a captivating story that is told in the first person narrative, pulling the reader into the narrator's point of view irresistibly. Beverly Gandara transports readers to a powerful historical and cultural setting and makes them fall in love with the characters.

About the Author

A New York native, Bev attended Brooklyn College and Marymount College before beginning her screenwriting studies at the Gotham Writers Workshop.

Her first screenplay Concrete Wings inspired her novel Concrete Wings about Julian, a naive teen sent out of Cuba on the eve of the Bay Of Pigs Invasion to retrieve smuggled family jewels. Coming of age in New York at the height of the sexual revolution, he earns his political and economic freedom. By a twist of fate, he begins to lose his liberty when his oppressive parents arrive and refuse to assimilate into American Society. 

Concrete Wings received:
2017 Literary Classic's Seal of Approval
2017 New York Book Festival's Honorable Mention in the General Fiction Category 
2017 The Reader's Favorite Five Star Seal 

Her next novel, Soaring In Silence inspired by Unprotected Witness, a screenplay co-written with Jack Knight is about a young recently handicapped married woman who by her own resourcefulness and the wonders of the Internet overcomes her struggle against the unwanted sexual advances of a dangerous retiree with a buried criminal past.

Bev's comedy screenplay Rent Money earned the Golden Palm Award for Best Screenplay at the 2012 Beverly Hills International Film Festival. Rent Money is about a an independent virgin bookkeeper working in the Radio and TV Barter business in Manhattan in 1965 who is focused on two goals. 1. remain independent and pay her own rent. 2. experience womanhood with a handsome neighbor. Stymied by society's changing rules during the sexual revolution, with courage and dignity, she reaches at least one of her goals successfully.

Her other screenplays, a mix of family dramas, dramas and thrillers are all contest placed. 
Her heroic characters understand that success isn't always measured by what one becomes but often by what one overcomes

She resides in the southeast with her husband, Armand whose experiences inspired Concrete Wings. 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01DCO5J6K
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beverly Gandara (March 22, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 22, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3150 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 306 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 53

About the author

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Beverly Gandara
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Beverly Gandara, an award-winning author and screenwriter, crafts stories that resonate with heart and humanity, providing a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. Through her compelling novels and screenplays, she brings to life the intricate tapestry of human emotions and experiences, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of everyday people.

In her diverse body of work, Beverly explores various themes and genres. The latest (released in October 2023) "When Did You Know and Who Did You Tell?" delves into the lives of 25 LGBTQAI+ role models, offering a poignant look at their journeys to authenticity against societal prejudices. Her books, "Women, Work and Triumph," presents interviews with 26 diverse women from 5 countries in different professions, sharing their unique stories of overcoming obstacles in pursuit of acceptance and respect. Gandara's foray into the suspense and thriller genre is evident in "Soaring in Silence," where a handicapped woman, armed only with her own resourcefulness and the wonders of the Internet, battles against the stalking by a dangerous retiree with a with a hidden criminal past. This novel showcases Beverly's ability to weave suspenseful narratives that keep readers on the edge of their seats. "Concrete Wings," a historical fiction and coming-of-age story, takes readers on a journey from Cuba to New York City at the height of the sexual revolution. This novel, inspired by her husband Armando's experiences, has been recognized with multiple awards and has a screenplay attached, exemplifying Beverly's versatility in storytelling across mediums.

Her screenplays, such as "Rent Money," a comedy set in 1965 Manhattan, and "While I Wait," a drama based on true events during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, further illustrate her wide-ranging talent. These works, along with others like "Misinformed Heart" and "Unprotected Witness," highlight her skill in creating engaging, thought-provoking narratives that resonate with audiences.

Gandara's dedication to her craft is evident in the numerous accolades her works have received, including Five Star Readers' Favorite awards and recognition in various film festivals and competitions.

Beverly Gandara's unique value proposition lies in her ability to tell stories that are not just read or watched but felt deeply. Her works offer a platform for silent voices to be heard, blending the rough edges of reality with the elegance, charm, and warmth that only a skilled storyteller like her can provide. Her books and screenplays are not just narratives; they are windows into the souls of her characters, inviting readers and viewers to experience the world through their eyes.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
53 global ratings

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