The title Guatáo comes from a Cuban expression, “It ended like the feast at Guatáo,” meaning that it did not end up well. This book is the fictional account of two strained brothers who try to reestablish their affectional childhood ties in the country of their birth. The contrasts explored include the political differences between Cuba and the United States, the lifestyles of the two brothers, the obstacles they were facing in their own lives, their romantic involvements, and their financial situations. The story is a metaphor for the strained relationship between the two countries—countries that, because of their geographic closeness and cultural similarities, should have been best friends but have seldom been.

The Cuban revolutionary government engaged in social engineering to redefine the nuclear family and organize citizens to serve the state.