Part 2, Rarae Aves Summary

Ignacio narrates. He recalls his father being diagnosed with throat cancer when Ignacio was in the last year of studies at the University of Havana. While the doctors only gave him a year to live, his father defied all expectations and lived nearly three years more. Ignacio took a part-time job to help his parents pay for their living expenses during that time. His mother pleaded for him to return to the university and his studies, but he refused to leave his father's side. His father died and then his mother, a few years later. He sold his parent's house and with the money published his first book, Cuba's Dying Birds. Ignacio sent the book abroad where it was admired in certain academic circles.

Part 2, Rarae Aves Analysis

Through Ignacio's narrative, the reader is provided with glimpses of Ignacio's...