A mystery set in 1990s Havana. For me, I valued the insight it gives into contemporary Cuban life. The mystery is not bad either.

Currently reading. Most fascinating, really well written, able to create a most sensuous world.

Havana Red by Leonardo Padura

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was glad to be introduced to this author with whose work I was unfamiliar.

In the book, we meet homicide Lieutenant Mario Conde, lead investigator of the murder of a young man who was wearing a red dress the night he was murdered. Conde's investigation leads him in myriad directions, towards a various subcultures - famous theatrical types who cavorted in Paris in the 70s, the underworld of transvestites, a family not entirely accepting of their son's identity. (view spoiler)[Through various clues, including some cigars, Conde eventually concludes that the father, a prominent member of the Revolutionary class, was the culprit. (hide spoiler)]

Padura's literary writing style enhances the story rather elegantly. At times somewhat knotty, his meandering sense of phrasing generally works, providing a sense of flair to what could have otherwise been an ordinary murder mystery.

The interjections of the famous theater director Alberto Marqués about the theatrical world in Paris during the early 70s provide a refreshing diversion from the case itself. Revolutionary Cuba persecuted its homosexual population in 1971; this included a repatriation of some overseas artists back to Cuba, no longer allowing them to represent their country on cultural exchanges. Marqués himself was voted out of the theater group that he ran. I'm not entirely sure these diversions add much to the narrative - i.e. I was glad to read through these passages, but wish they gelled better with the main story.

Conde comes off as a somewhat dopey, but competent enough detective type. The other characters seem to tease him off and on, and he becomes more tolerant and open to learning about transvestites as the book goes along.

This definitely a thought-provoking book, one that says much about how much more tolerant we have been in our own cultures, and how much more we have to do.



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Released as part of the Colors-in-the-Title/Author Bookbox #2!

Received in the Color in the Title / Author Bookbox #2.

I will release this back into the box.

Released back into the Color in the Title / Author Bookbox #2

Please enjoy!

taken out of haahaahaa98's Color in the Title bookbox #2

looks interesting, adding to MT TBR
Thanks for sharing

Started this one, but did not grab my attention......reserving for an upcoming bookbox

sent off in haahaahaa98's Color-in-the-title bookbox #5

Happy Travels

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