Official Apex Reviews Interview: Carlos Rubio (Forgotten Objects)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Carlos. We’re looking forward to sharing more about your book with our readers.
What inspired you to craft this quite compelling tale of struggle, sacrifice, and ultimate redemption?
Carlos Rubio: As you know, I have first-hand experience with the struggles an immigrant has to face, the often unexpected reverses of fortune that have to be overcome and the rewards that can be reaped. I wanted to portray these experiences in Forgotten Objects.
AR: What’s the significance of the book’s title?
CR: The Forgotten Objects are the items that Anna collected throughout her life because they held a special significance. It is not until after her death that Adriana and Francesca, her twin daughters, try to reconstruct her life using these items as points of reference.
AR: Anna suddenly finds herself married at seventeen, then just as suddenly widowed at twenty. How does she handle such dramatic life-altering events at such a young age?
CR: I believe that her youth allowed her to get thought this situation. When one is very young—and naïve—one believes that everything will turn out well. Circumstances beyond her control made her strong and also allowed her to mature.
AR: How difficult is it for Anna to send her young daughters to the United States?
CR: Very difficult, but the alternative would have been worse. There was no future under Cuba’s communist government, so she made that difficult decision because of her unselfish love. By the way 14000 children came out of Cuba between 1960 and 1962.
AR: What prompts Anna’s daughters to search through her precious belongings after her death?
CR: Children, especially after they mature, are often curious about their parents. Anna always looked toward the future; she did not linger in the past. It is not until her death that her daughters begin to ask themselves certain questions about the type of woman their mother was. Since they can no longer ask Anna, they have to find their answers elsewhere.
AR: What kinds of reactions have readers had to the book thus far?
CR: Very positive. Everyone thinks that the book would make a great movie, but what gratifies me the most is that they will always remember Anna and how she overcame adversity.
AR: What’s the main message you’d like readers to take away from the story?
CR: I don’t know if there is a main message, but I would like readers to believe—just as I do—that regardless of a situation, there are always people willing to help. All one needs to do is ask.
AR: You are quite the prolific author. Please share more with our readers about your other writings.
CR: Some of my other novels are not as serious as Forgotten Objects. For example American Triptych is a trilogy of satirical novels, and they are rather irreverent in nature. Orpheus’ Blues showcases the life of a jazz musician and Secret Memories is a stream of consciousness work.
Being a bilingual novelist, I also write in Spanish, but whenever I work in that language I am addressing a different audience, one with a different cultural background.
AR: What’s next for you?
CR: I have just finished Dancing with Ghosts, a memoir about growing up in Cuba. This is a book that I never intended to write, but my children asked me to do it. I suppose I should feel flattered that they have an interest in their father’s life.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
CR: All the information is on my website, www.carlosrubioalbet.com.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
CR: There is contact page on the website. They can always reach me if they have any questions or comments about my work.
AR: Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
CR: Just that the greatest satisfaction for a writer is to hear from his readers. I am always open to comments and suggestions.
AR: Thanks again, Carlos, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
CR: Thank you for allowing me to share some of my views.