The Cutter (Pioneers of Modern Us Hispanic Literature)

Having at last finished his "voluntary" years in the Cuban military, Julian Campos is now ordered to volunteer more of his life in the sugar cane fields. Five years before, the authorities had refused to let young Julian leave the island when his parents emigrated to America. His one remaining hope is that if he cooperates fully, he too will at last be granted permission to go. But as abuse of Julian as a so-called "gusano" increases, his desperation grows, and he begins to consider cutting his own reckless path to freedom.