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The Korticos are from a well-endowed pygmy tribe in West Africa; the Mandingas are descended from a tribe of tall Ghanaians. Both families have been brought to Cuba as slaves. Oscar Kortico and Jose Mandinga, inseparable friends, marry a pair of sisters, and in the tiny hamlet of Pig's Foot (Pata de Puerco), five generations of these families will live out their colorful lives through the tumultuous sweep of Cuban history: from slavery through the war of independence, exploitation, dictatorship, and compromised freedom, to the present day when teenager Oscar Mandinga goes seeking the fabled village of his ancestors.
Carlos Acosta's first novel is a swiftly plotted island folktale with warmth, humor, magic, and a light allegorical touch. It's a history grounded in sights and smells and human foibles. And it's an enchanting and unexpected debut from an author of many talents.
Carlos Acosta
Carlos Acosta was born in Cuba in 1973 and started dancing when he was nine. He rose to principal dancer of the National Ballet of Cuba in 1994.
In 1993, he made his American stage debut as the Prince in the Nutcracker. His repertory with the Houston Ballet has included Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake.
In 1998, Carlos joined The Royal Ballet, Covent Garden. Most recently, Carlos appeared in The Reluctant Ballet Dancer, a programme in the Imagine Series shown on BBC 1 presented by Alan Yentob.
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