"Before Night Falls" is an autobiographical work that chronicles the life of a young Cuban man growing up during the political turmoil of the Cuban Revolution. The protagonist, a rebellious writer and poet, grapples with his sexual identity in a society that is deeply homophobic. Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, and exile, he remains defiant and committed to his art and personal freedom. His story provides a candid and deeply personal perspective on the harsh realities of life under Fidel Castro's regime.

The book is a harrowing account of the Mozambican people's suffering during the civil war that followed the country's independence from Portugal. It compiles testimonies and personal stories that reveal the atrocities committed by the Renamo guerrillas, who were backed by foreign powers. Through the eyes of the survivors, the narrative exposes the brutalities of war, including the destruction of villages, the murder of innocent civilians, and the resilience of those who were forced to flee their homes. The work serves as both a poignant reminder of the cost of conflict and a tribute to the spirit of the Mozambican people who endured and survived amidst such terror.

The book is a memoir of a young boy's life in Havana, Cuba, during the 1950s, just before and during the Cuban Revolution. It vividly depicts the boy's privileged, idyllic childhood filled with joy and adventure, which is abruptly disrupted by the political upheaval that leads to his exile to the United States. The narrative is a poignant exploration of loss, identity, displacement, and the enduring emotional impact of childhood experiences.