Summary

Elisa, November 1958

Pablo has been absent for longer than ever before. His letters reach Elisa at unpredictable times and through various messengers. Elisa writes letters to him almost every day, and the two are kept close through their descriptions of their daily lives. Pablo’s experiences are much more intense than Elisa’s, but Pablo imagines her and what she could be doing with her sisters all the time, as a comfort for when he is marching and waiting for action. In between receiving letters, Elisa reads philosophers’ works from her library.

The presidential election is held, and despite all that Pablo did to prevent it, Batista’s candidate, Agüero, wins “under mysterious circumstances” (148). There is widespread suspicion that Batista rigged the election. After nearly a decade of Batista’s rule, Cuba is now being led by his puppet. This bolsters the feelings...