About Illuminating Family
It was not until I retired in Portland, Oregon in 2009 that I decided to take on writing my paternal family history. I knew by then that my collection of heavily embroidered family anecdotes and miscellaneous documents would not be enough to compose a serious and credible narrative. It was clear that in-depth research was necessary. What was not so clear was why I wanted to embark on such an ambitious project in the first place. What was I looking for? Who was the intended audience? What attracted me to the project?
Like most family histories, this one originally aimed to unearth and bring to light the unusual lives, challenges, and successes of my paternal ancestors and the turbulent times they lived through. Yet, as my research uncovered unexpected elements of my family history, the project gradually shifted focus. Ultimately the search to know my ancestors became part of the story — as, inevitably, did I.
Why focus on Father’s family? Perhaps because of my lack of knowledge about them during my early years in Cuba; the allure that Europe held for me, as I grew up on a distant island; my infatuation with Catalan and Spanish culture during my late teens in Barcelona; and my unique experiences there a decade later as a post-graduate student of Alicia de Larrocha, the world-famous Catalan pianist.
Illuminating Family takes place in Spain, Cuba, and the United States. It begins with a brief account of my Catalan family humble origins in late fourteen-century rural Catalunya, the immigration of Abuelo Alberto to Cuba, his making a fortune, his wedding to sophisticated Paquita in Catalunya, their comfortable retirement in Barcelona, the Spanish Civil War, their son’s (my father) exit to Cuba, Father’s wedding, and our life in Guantánamo. It ends with the Cuban revolution, the loss of family fortune, and the immigration of my immediate family to the United States.
As the eldest survivor of my generation, I feel the honor and responsibility of maintaining and transferring this historical record. As stoic Roman philosopher Seneca has said “every new beginning comes from some other beginner’s end.
Book Reviews
"Catalans living in Guantanamo fiercely protected their cultural identity and ancient heritage."
Not many can trace their family back to the late fourteenth century. The Ràfols-Insenser family will fascinate readers as they learn how the family moved from Catalunya, Spain, to Cuba and the United States. The whole family exemplifies talent, tenacity, and a dash of terrestrial restlessness.
The author considers studies on immigrant successes in general. He notes that audacity, a touch of insecurity, and patience are all components of immigrant success stories. This evokes interest about how this applies to all readers' immigrant relatives. Ràfols himself is an immigrant success story, as a world-class pianist with a doctorate in music. But the story gets even richer as he details his roots.
The Spanish and Cuban history in the book is fascinating, too. For example, Ràfols writes of the time his grandfather arrived in Cuba, still under Spanish rule: "...Spanish law provided for an eight-year period of 'tutelage'.... This amounted to continued servitudes, as these "liberated" former slaves were required to spend eight more years working for their former masters without pay." As for the history of Cuba's transformation, American schools vaguely teach about politics, rarely considering personal narratives. In this area, this book is extra rich. For instance, regarding the rise of Castro, Ràfols says, "From that moment on, leaving the island would become an obsession for most middle and upper classes."
Since society is now so electronic in its communications, one is likely to be moved to tears by the letters the author's grandmother writes to her grandsons. This family history is indeed illuminating. The author's writing is fluid and entertaining, and he certainly has numerous remarkable stories to tell.
Toby Berry
Reviewer for The US Review of Books
I’ve read half the book so far, and I just love it. Amazing research, wonderful writing. I was reading an Isabel Allende at the same time and was getting confused in my head…that’s how good yours is. One book in Chile, and one in Cuba, though.”
Louise Lague, Writer
…My purpose for writing is to congratulate you for your wonderful family history (Illuminating Family). As I read your work, I became engrossed because of your depth of research, detailed descriptions, and delicate handling of family matters. To study your family history from the early 1500’s was a truly rare genealogy. Also, your colorful descriptions of locations, events, and individuals made me think you have the eye and memory of a human camera. Last of all, I was truly impressed with your delicate handling of individual idiosyncrasies and family issues.
You wove a beautiful tapestry of cultures and characters. Yes, your Abuelo was an enviable individual who, in my experience, embodied the Rotary Club mantra: Service Above Self. Then your beloved Paquita!! (We all would love to remember our grandmother as the saintly person your Abuela was.) And you did that beautifully!
If I had the skills to accomplish what you did, I feel I might have just one one regret: that my grandparents couldn’t have read what I wrote. Your labor of love was beautifully remembered, beautifully expressed, Alberto! Stay safe!
John Zigmond,
Life Skills and Mentoring Coach
Alberto, I want to tell you that I am so enjoying your Illuminating Family! I haven’t written earlier because I’m reading it slowly. The word finally came to me last evening to explain why. And I wanted to explain it to myself because I normally read quickly, go through sometimes two or three books in a week. But this…I’m savoring it.
I find your book has something of an academic tone to it—the extensive research, the careful interweaving of the big picture of world events with personal touches, explaining what you want us to conclude from what you just wrote, multiple “before and afters”—and I love that. I think it’s so very appropriate for what you set out to do, and so characteristic of you. Writers talk about creating the right voice, and I think you’ve done that. I can hear Alberto Rafols as I read.
I’m just at the place in the book where your grandparents left Cuba for Spain to keep the wedding promise to Paquita. It’s pretty amazing, don’t you think, first that she extracted that promise, and second that he honored it? Many successful, powerful men would not have left the place where they made their mark. But then, Paquita was a force of nature herself, was’t she?
I hope you’ll tell me how your family has reacted to the book. We talked about the pitfalls of writing honestly about family and about some of your apprehensiveness about its reception. I’m guessing that you have written so carefully that they will react favorably. Your intention to honor the family and its heritage shines through everything you’ve written…they can’t fail to see that.
The last thing I want to say, for now, is that I’m terrifically impressed that you could bring this task to completion during the pandemic year. Some of the writers I know have brought out books, but a lot of others have found themselves unable to concentrate long enough to finish anything. Being able to do this as the world round you suffered and you were caregiver for Richard is a huge accomplishment. I hope you/re enjoying it!
We appreciate your inscription and your mention of me in the acknowledgements.
Sally Petersen, Writer, petersenpublications
Alberto, I just finished reading your memoir/family history. What a wonderful book!
As soon as it came on Amazon, we ordered it. It kept me totally engrossed for the past week. The research involved is staggering. As much as we talked about your progress, trips, frustrations, I still had no conception of the work you did. You are to be congratulated.
I have recommended it to several of my friends here in Portland. Also, I corresponded with a friend and former work associate in Barcelona and recommended it to him and his wife.
The final 100 pages were quite emotional. Your Grandmother’s letters were very stirring and heartfelt. The challenges each of you faced were monumental.
The pictures were extremely helpful as my reading went on. I returned to them over and over. The visual similarity between you and your grandfather was striking, especially the photo from 1933 taken in Barcelona with your father and uncle. Your mother was a very beautiful woman. Your moving description of her personal strength was the best part of the book for me.
Lawrence Erickson, Writer
Alberto, I received and read your book within a day and a half. It was wonderful! This was one of my favorite books this year. Of course, knowing you makes me a little biased, but really, it was extremely well down, and captured me in a way few books have. I’m so impressed you were able to research and write this book a this time of your life. Your energy, intelligence and grace leave me awestruck.
Amazing that you can actually track the origins of the Rafol family back to the early 1500s. Although I have enjoyed stories about your family in the past, I was moved by what you all went through. You were able to relay so much of the character of each of the family members, particularly your grandparents…
Alberto, I have always admired you and your talents. This book has given me yet another area of your expertise to admire. Thank you for sharing the story of your family.
Bill Bradford, Administrator
From Amazon Reviews
A must read!
I know the author and his family but have not seen him since the was in high school and he was in college! I lived across the street from him in Guantanamo Cuba when I was a child and I lost track of his family but was able to find his sister, my friend, through the internet where I found him! It has been quite informative and nostalgic reading about his family. Love connecting his historical path in comparison to my family’s path. Reading about the struggles that his family went through is so relevant in light of today’s world immigration crisis. Thank you! Love the book!
Ines Luque
A century of history, family with emotion
An amazing story of the up's and down's of the author's Aristocratic Family, Catalonia Spain and Cuba, primarily over the past century and half. Watch privilege, prosperity, fine arts, revolution, and loss unfold for this family. I hungered to read on.
Michael Hickey
A well researched history of a Catalan family from the 14th Century to the present day.
Just rich enough in details of the lives and times of the families to make an absorbing read.
Phil Mowrey
Excellent story of Cuba, Spain and America
I enjoyed the well researched account of the authors family saga unfolding in Spain, Cuba and America. It's a well told tale of immigrants who succeeded against all odds.
Jonathan David Gerson, LMHC
Impresiones y paisajes de la familia
People, cultures, languages and experiences lovingly stitched into a familial fabric that absent loved ones would be proud of.
Joseph West