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Through her compelling novels and screenplays, Beverly Gandara, an award-winning author and screenwriter, crafts stories that resonate with heart and humanity, providing a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard.
Beverly explores various themes and genres. "When Did You Know and Who Did You Tell?" delves into the lives of 25 LGBTQAI+ role models, offering a poignant look at their journeys to authenticity against societal prejudices. Her book, "Women, Work, and Triumph," presents interviews with 26 diverse women from 5 countries in different professions, sharing their unique stories of overcoming obstacles in pursuit of acceptance and respect. Gandara ventures into suspense and thriller with "Soaring in Silence," featuring a resourceful handicapped woman facing a dangerous retiree with a hidden criminal past, showcasing Beverly's skill in crafting gripping narratives. Beverly's ability to weave suspenseful narratives keeps readers on the edge of their seats. "Concrete Wings," a historical fiction and coming-of-age story, takes readers on a journey from Cuba to New York City at the height of the sexual revolution. This novel, inspired by her husband Armando's experiences, has been recognized with multiple awards and has a screenplay attached, exemplifying Beverly's versatility in storytelling across mediums.
Her screenplays, such as "Rent Money," a comedy set in 1965 Manhattan, and "While I Wait," a drama based on true events during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, further illustrate her wide-ranging talent. These works, along with others like "Misinformed Heart" and "Unprotected Witness," highlight her skill in creating engaging, thought-provoking narratives that resonate with audiences.
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Concrete Wings: One Man’s Fifty Year Journey to Personal Freedom by Beverly Gandara is a historical novel that follows the life and struggles of Julian Vida, a Cuban immigrant, and his journey to inner freedom. It is the eve of the event that has come to be known in history as the Bay of Pigs Invasion and a naïve teenage boy, Julian, is charged with saving smuggled family jewels, escaping being drafted into Fidel Castro’s army, and preparing a place for his family in the US. This is a coming of age story that explores the political and sexual revolution in the USA. Julian experiences a lot of freedom until the arrival of his parents, who can’t blend in with the American way of life. Read on to discover his heartaches, his inner turmoil, and what constitutes his ultimate success.
This is a beautiful story that is beautifully told and the reader is transported into the Cuban world view at the wake of the twentieth century. One of the things that caught my attention was the vivid portrait of the culture as the author weaves cultural elements into the story, allowing readers to penetrate the soul of the Cuban. The historical references come out neatly in the narrative and readers will be absorbed by the social commentary the author makes. The conflict is well-developed and it has a lot of psychological implications for the protagonist. Concrete Wings: One Man’s Fifty Year Journey to Personal Freedom is a captivating story that is told in the first person narrative, pulling the reader into the narrator’s point of view irresistibly. Beverly Gandara transports readers to a powerful historical and cultural setting and makes them fall in love with the characters.
