The Story of My Foolishness

The lifelong road to happiness.

It could be a brief description of this poetic novel. The main character is trying to find her way, overcome her foolishness and not lose her love. She is looking for excuses to her actions that had led to losing so many happy days she could have spent with her loved one. She didn’t realize it when she was young but, as the years went by, she learned what to value. It is not easy to convey the message of this original and touching book briefly, but, nevertheless, I’ll try.Here is a short introduction for the readers.

The 60s of last century still feel so close to me as if they were yesterday. The memories are still living in my heart and bring back all those exciting feelings. A Russian girl, Elena, and a foreign student from Mexico, Miguel, fell in love with each other. As if an invisible thread connected their hearts and tied them together. Nothing could stop this unforeseen feeling between them. Having met once during hard times, in Moscow, they never broke up for good. The spark between them was so strong and unexpected that the young people realized neither the time, nor what was happening around them. Meanwhile, communism was thriving in the country, and dating a foreigner behind the iron curtain, under authoritarian rule, was regarded almost as treason. Elena could have lost everything: the opportunity to study and get a good job; she could have broken her whole family’s lives. But does love ever ask for permission? It just comes and strikes like a lightning. They tried to avoid this deep feeling but it was all in vain. Their hearts were conquered by the passion that was stronger than their fear. Their meetings occurred strictly according to the plan they had developed. Nobody was supposed to suspect their relationship. The university students were strictly controlled; if her relationship with a foreigner had become a public knowledge, she would have been dismissed or fired. Nevertheless, the infatuation was so inspiring and irresistible that it was beyond their power to stop it. There was constant desire in their eyes, fire on the lips, craving to hug each other passionately in their arms; their tenderness obscured their minds. For the whole year the lovers were drowning in the romance, harmony and sensuality. Next thing they knew was that... the whole world seemed to collapse and time stopped existing! Miguel graduated, became a doctor and left for his faraway and unknown Mexico. Where to get enough strength to survive the separation? They are not fated to be together. Their time had not come yet. Without further reflection, Elena joins a student team and leaves for the north to work during summer holiday and survive her grief and sadness.

Life goes on, and the girl will keep this beautiful feeling deep inside her soul, remembering and cherishing it, keeping it safe like something precious, admiring and enjoying the gift.

Then she enters the university. Now she is a student of the medical faculty. Study and social life take all her free time, and the past does no longer hurt that much.

One and a half year passed from the day he left. One sunny day in spring they saw each other again...

Cathy Caros:

"In June 2021, I was one of the winners of the 9th International Festival
“Open Eurasia 2020” in London. It was a very important moment of my life.
My lyrical novel “The story of my foolishness” was nominated for the best book in “Prose” category and won the 3rd prize. Besides, my book took its place among Golden Top-10 of the contest’s works."