The memoir of one of the most influential voices in Latin American literature: Gioconda Belli. A vivid personal testimony that also captures the spirit of a turbulent era—the story of a bourgeois, apolitical young woman who became a key figure in the Sandinista movement and the Nicaraguan revolution. A passionate account of struggle and transformation, told with the strength and sensitivity that define her life’s work.
The Country Under My Skin is the autobiographical account of Nicaraguan writer and former guerrilla Gioconda Belli, who narrates in first person her transformation from upper-class housewife to revolutionary militant in the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN). Raised in a privileged family in Managua, Belli married young and initially embraced the traditional roles of wife and mother—but soon began to question this life as she became aware of the deep social inequalities in her country.
Her political awakening coincided with her covert involvement in the Sandinista movement during the 1970s. While raising her daughters, she secretly transported weapons and messages, gradually becoming more deeply involved in the struggle against the Somoza dictatorship. This double life—as both a devoted mother and undercover revolutionary—profoundly shaped her identity. During this period, she met “Marcos,” a guerrilla leader with whom she shared a passionate love affair.
Forced into exile by the regime, she continued her activism from Costa Rica and returned to Nicaragua shortly before the 1979 Sandinista victory, taking part in the final uprising. After the revolution, she assumed official responsibilities in the new government and worked with state-aligned media. Yet she also faced the internal contradictions of revolutionary politics—authoritarianism, dogmatism, and emotional tolls.
Throughout the memoir, Belli reflects on the tension between the expectations of traditional womanhood and her desire for autonomy, as well as the personal sacrifices her political commitment demanded. Eventually disillusioned by ethical differences, she distanced herself from the ruling Sandinista government—without ever abandoning her ideals or her love for Nicaragua. Today, she lives in exile between the United States and Europe.
RELEVANT INFORMATION: Born in Managua, Nicaragua, Gioconda Belli is one of the most celebrated Latin American writers of her generation. Her novels have earned numerous accolades, including the Premio Biblioteca Breve, the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Prize, the German Political Novel of the Year Award, and the Anna Seghers Prize. Her poetry has received the Mariano Fiallos Gil Prize, the Casa de América Prize, and the Generación del 27 and Ciudad de Melilla prizes. France named her Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and in 2018 she received the Hermann Kesten Prize. She currently serves as president of PEN Nicaragua. Her works have been translated into over twenty languages.
In The Country Under My Skin, Belli narrates with honesty and passion the events that defined her life: from her privileged upbringing to her role as a Sandinista guerrilla, internationally acclaimed writer, politically engaged citizen, unconventional lover, and devoted mother. Her memoir unfolds the contradictions of a life driven by bold choices and inner conflict.
These pages offer both a powerful portrait of a key period in Latin American history and a deeply intimate self-portrait of a woman who is at once extraordinary and relatable. In this story, love and war intersect—exploring the endurance of ideals and the fierce force of personal passion. A perfect foundation for a dramatic biopic with a compelling political backdrop.
AUDIOVISUAL POTENTIAL: TV Series, Limited Series, Feature Film, TV Movie
AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: Spanish, English, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Danish, Arabic, Turkish
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