Survival Instinct

By Angel G

Historical novel, love novel, novel about the human essence. Published twice, the last one in 2018, it immerses us in a story of multiple readings: that of a deep love and that of a country devastated by conflicts, injustice, evil, betrayal and, why not, by "a self-provoked blindness not to commit to what was happening".

 

The protagonist, Lieutenant Guzmán, symbolizes the desperate defense of honor, love and family. His beliefs and values embark him on a heartbreaking struggle against a system to which he belongs, but at the same time repudiates. Only by immolating himself, only through self-sacrifice, will he see the way to protect that which justifies his existence: the noblest values to which a human being can aspire.

 

And in the midst of this narration, a brutal, stark scenario unfolds, exposing one of the most dismal and painful times in Argentina: the dictatorship of the sixties. Through this plot, the author tells us, without revisionist spirit, how the kidnappings, bombings, confrontations between the military, guerrillas, ERP, montoneros and the role of other organizations and society itself took place. Of course, all this sweetened and decorated with a soccer World Cup that distracted a population that refused to accept what was happening... the agony of the Nation.

Historical context

 

A civil-military dictatorship was installed in 1976 and ended in 1983. After a coup d'état, the government of President María Estela Martínez de Perón was overthrown and a military junta composed of the three Armed Forces (Admiral Massera - Lieutenant General Videla - Brigadier General Agosti) took power. Lieutenant General Videla was appointed de facto president. With him at the head, what was called the Process began and a historical moment where the common currency was the systematic violation of all human rights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angel G
• Release date: Jul 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9789878853307

Angel G

Ángel G:. Fernández es un escritor latinoamericano nacido el 03 de marzo de 1987 en Esperanza, un pueblo de obreros en las afueras de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Los veranos de su infancia los pasó acompañando a sus abuelos maternos en Candelaria, un municipio alejado de la capital misionera, en donde adquirió especial gusto por las historias narradas por su abuelo sobre las leyendas guaraníes y los "Cuentos de la Selva", de Horacio Quiroga, los cuales le leía su abuela cada noche antes de dormir.  Fueron aquellas narraciones y el contacto estrecho con la naturaleza, lejos de la contaminación tecnológica, donde comenzó a los doce años a recorrer el sendero de las letras y a darle vida a cuantiosas narraciones y ensayos literarios, tales como "Rambo Ratón", "El auto vampiro", y otros tantos poemas, muchos intentando revivir las coplas caballerescas de los antiguos trovadores medievales.  Sus relatos se caracterizan por tener una magia especial que transforma situaciones cotidianas en escenas pobladas de fantasías.  Ha sabido encontrar sus primeras inspiraciones en diversos autores latinoamericanos, tales como Gabriel García Márquez y Antonio Skármeta.    Siendo un gran aficionado al periodismo, a la historia y a la filosofía, ha trabajado durante años en la manera de combinar aquello con sus trazados literarios, a fin de poder otorgarle al lector algo más que una simple narración. Fue así que nació su primera novela titulada Instinto de Supervivencia, publicada en marzo del 2016, en conmemoración de los cuarenta años del inicio del último gobierno militar en Argentina. Esta novela ha sido traducida y publicada en inglés en 2018. Posteriormente, en 2019, y con el mismo espíritu literario e histórico, “dio a luz” El Canto de la Golondrina. 

Book preview

Review of Survival instinct, by Ediciones Colibrí, Madrid, Spain.

In total connection with its first part, The Swallow's Song, does not cease to surprise, how easily it introduces you into the facts again, counting in this case with the generational objective, since the story continues with Mariel, Edith's daughter, whose love of her life, is no more and no less than a lieutenant of the navy, It seems to repeat the story again, but it is ingenious how the similarity becomes inverse and not to reveal more of its charm, you will have to read this exciting and exciting second part entitled Survival Instinct, whose protagonist will not leave you indifferent at all.

A story like survival instinct, should be told again and again, for the times of the times, what better argument for a scenario of pain, revenge, humiliation, hypocrisy, ignorance and endless senselessness in relation to a mob of situations and directions that lead nowhere, but to give even more power if possible to the incomprehension and oppression of true freedom, that which without more, we question it, even suffer from its nonexistence.

After reading a survival instinct, you realize that there can be no impassibility, but on the contrary, it plunges you into a precise labyrinth from which you cannot get out, contradicts the reasons, but especially those that are indefensible, make you what you are not or do not try to be, traps you and despairs you, You only get to defend and take care of that which gives you life, love, so is Francisco, our protagonist of this story, who was captivated when he saw for the first time the love of his life Mariel and whose circumstances led him to unpublished tests to understand the meaning of the direction he should take.

We face all this when we realize the true unconditional love, the one that usually gives us enough courage to keep us coherent and fair with ourselves, since it is the main factor for our existence.

He became a lieutenant, completed until he became a captain, nothing fulfilled him except the love for his wife, and because of his situation and condition he fell into his own network of oppression caused by the existing mob, envy, deceit and even the lack of honorability for his rank and high positions.

Francisco, gives us to understand that everything has a price, and act accordingly is essential to have it very clear, because life tests us again and again, as well as the circumstances and only depends on us to act in one way or another, also having collateral damage that we can remedy or not, but still interesting, recognize how we want to continue living, with fear or without it, even who to become to save what we love most, while remaining fair and consistent with our actions.

Although the story takes place in an oppressed Argentina and the 1978 World Cup, it is surprising how the writer, in this case Angel G. Fernandez, gives relevance to Francisco, who with real data of the time, puts us in situation of what we lived, but undoubtedly the presence of Francisco is stronger as well as the value that entails this character, to enter in a very peculiar way in the reader and leave him with all the sensations to the surface and nothing indifferent, being a participant of the anguish and agony that I got to go through.

And as Francisco once sang so well,

Everything concludes at the end, nothing can escape, everything has an end, everything ends...

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@ediciones_colibri

To the woman of my dreams

People tell me that, with the passage of time, the pain will go away and I will be ready to close our story and move on with my life. Some even dare to say that while they understand my pain and understand my situation, they are sure that at some point this grief will end. I hate them. As much as they say this to encourage me, none of them are in a position to understand this immense anguish: it is a mixture of love, despair, hope and desolation.

Over time, I discovered that hope is the worst poison there is. It is a silent, odorless, tasteless poison that slowly exterminates the soul. It is that same hope that is consuming me every day since we were separated. It is that same hope that devours the illusion that you are still alive, somewhere, looking for me, looking for us.

Lautaro is starting to ask about you, he wants to know where you are, why you are not with us, why you abandoned us. I don't know what to answer him. He is already 6 years old and very alert. He looks so much like you that it breaks my heart. I can't confirm your death because it's not something I will accept until I have proof, but I can't tell him you are alive either because I know he would look for you endlessly. My breath catches when I want to tell him that you risked your life to save us, to protect us; my skin cracks and I burst into tears.

I hate them. They ruined our lives. They took from us the possibility of building a family together, of seeing our happiness grow among laughter and caresses. They took our breath away. They even burned our home to ashes.

It was a very hard blow to return, after years of exile, and find our house in ruins, our neighborhood in silence, and my world without you.

I tried to find support to look for you, but no one listens to me, no one cares.

All because of your condition.

I need to know. That's all I ask... to know if I should cry for you and close this story or if there is a chance to find you and rebuild what we had.

Sooner or later, everyone who was involved will pay. They have to pay.

Wherever you are, I will find you.

March 24, 1976

Board of Commanders-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Communiqué N.° 1

The population is hereby informed that, as of this date, the country is under the operational control of the Board of Commanders-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. It is recommended to all inhabitants to strictly abide by the dispositions and directives issued by the military, security or police authorities, as well as to be extremely careful in avoiding individual or group actions and attitudes that may require the drastic intervention of personnel in operations.

General Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla.

General Commander of the Navy, Admiral Eduardo Emilio Massera.

Commander General of the Air Force, Brigadier General Orlando Ramón Agosti.

CHAPTER I

-Gentlemen -began the Vice Admiral's speech before his officers at the General Belgrano Base-, as you well know, the corrupt Peronist mandate has come to an end. With that inept front of the Government, chaos was unavoidable. Our goal is to re-educate the Argentine population. During the last few years, nothing but chaos, corruption and subversion have reigned in the streets of our homeland. Today's young people have shit in their heads. We all know it is Perón's fault. Even he could not control what he himself created. I must admit that, if it were up to me, I would shoot them all. We must eradicate the problem at its root. However, Admiral Massera and his colleagues have decided to solve the problem in the most peaceful way possible. That is a sign of honor and manhood. The World Cup is approaching us -the Vice Admiral continues- with which the eyes of the world will be on our beautiful country. People from all continents will come to be amazed and fall in love with this beautiful land, but in order to do so, it is imperative to quell all subversive and violent acts rooted in the streets. For this reason, the Forces have decided to forget old disputes and grudges in order to reorganize the Government as a whole. I understand that it is hard for you to forget the cowardly attack by the Army on the Naval School; I understand that many of you were even present on that ill-fated night, but this is a direct order from our Admiral. Anyone who disobeys this order will earn a direct pass to the wall. Understood?!

Understood Vice Admiral! -We said in unison, almost as a battle cry.

-Having made this clear, continued the Vice Admiral, during the next few hours the new orders and measures taken by the Junta to carry out the National Reorganization Process will be made known. For now, our orders are to remain in a state of alert, prepared and ready to mobilize at any moment. The Army has taken control of the main cities, including the Federal Capital. They will be in charge of quelling the rebellions subsequent to the correct overthrow of this idiot. Likewise, the Mosquitos will be ready at their air bases, playing dolls, surely. We will be in charge of naval control and we will put our Infantrymen, pride of our Navy, in special operations that will be made known at the appropriate time.

-Always alert for the homeland! -we Marines shouted like a roar.

-The objective is clear, gentlemen. The orders are clear. I trust you will do your part. Dismissed.

I must admit that I do not entirely agree with the Vice Admiral's speech. He even threatened us with serious consequences if he detected acts of insubordination, and it is no surprise to us. Already the Sanmartinian Honor Code said: the sergeant, corporal or soldier who does not obey the Officers in service matters will be put to the sword.

The Vice Admiral was one of the officers who had his baptism of fire in Rio Santiago. Since then, he feels in his chest a great resentment against the Army and the Air Force.

-Lieutenant Guzmán! -I hear in the distance, but I don't pay attention.

Political stability is at its most critical point.

I am aware of the reigning chaos, not only nationally, but internationally. Montoneros, ERP, FAR are all part of the same filth. Their sense of anarchism is off limits: the Montoneros' violent takeover of Regiment 29 in Formosa and the ERP's attack on Regiment 601 in Monte Chingolo are clear examples of this. However, I am not sure that this is a Coup similar to the previous ones. That is to say, the military coups of 30, 44, 55, and even 66 had as their main objective the termination of a government in decline for the forced call for elections. However, this one looks different. Videla is known to be somewhat of a Nazi, even within his troops. I fear a confrontation of epic proportions.

-Lieutenant Guzman! -I hear it again, but now closer.

On the one hand, I am quite relieved not to be involved in police operations in the Capital. I enlisted in the Navy to defend it from the foreign enemy, not to conduct military operations within the homeland's borders, let alone, in my hometown. I just know that there is something in all this that I don't like.

-Lieutenant Guzman! -I hear almost next to me.

-What do you want, soldier? -I answer grumpily.

If there's something I still can't correct, it's the hatred I feel when I'm taken out of my thoughts. I turn and see two stars on the epaulets. I immediately change my posture and tone: Excuse me, Rear Admiral! I thought it was Lieutenant Gallardo asking if he could take leave to go see the bride. He's been after me since last week, I said with a disguised smile.

-I said, Don't worry Lieutenant, but be careful because with answers like that you can end up in the wall, he said with a sarcastic tone. Rear Admiral Delgado is very well liked and respected. On the base he is affectionately called El Tio (Uncle). He is one of the few leaders I respect and for whom I would give my life if necessary.

-I understand that the situation we are going through may be detrimental to someone who is about to get married.

-It can be," I replied, smiling.

-I have heard a lot about you and your progress. I would like to take you under my wing and recommend you to the Council of War.

-It is an honor I don't think I deserve, Sir," I say excitedly.

-Enough modesty," he replies with a fatherly smile. For the time being, stop answering abruptly if you are not sure whom you are addressing, Lieutenant.

-Yes, Rear Admiral!

With this situation, to tell you the truth, the subject of my marriage had slipped my mind. It's not that I'm not excited, on the contrary. However, I do not yet know to what extent this will affect us. The future is uncertain.

CHAPTER II

The largest police-military operations were focused on the Federal Capital, Córdoba capital and Rosario. From one day to the next, these cities were filled with military personnel. The World Cup will be held in 2 years, and there is great fervor for this event. So much so that three new stadiums are being