Book Description
"A magnificent novel. Haunted by the tragic story and passion of its characters."-Magazine Litteraire
The first of the Havana quartet featuring Inspector Mario Conde, a tropical Marlowe. A young transvestite in a beautiful red dress is found strangled in a Havana park. Conde's investigation into a violent murder exposes a stifling, corrupt society, a Cuban reality where nothing is what it seems. A dark and fascinating world of men and women born in the revolution who live without dreaming of exile and seek their identity in the midst of disaster.
Leonardo Padura lives in Cuba. He is a novelist, essayist, journalist and scriptwriter. Havana Red has won numerous literary prizes, including the Hammett prize in Spain.
Customer Reviews:
That's How It Is .......2007-05-21
On the 243 pages of the book he uses the big F word 75 times - not a shock but surprising. Best of all his Catholicism shines thru as a part of his every fiber. Worth the read.
"Lost in Translation?".......2007-01-30
While it's sometimes hard to read a book that's been translated and still get the nuances, I found this book less than what it was touted to be--Conde is certainly no "tropical Marlowe." Do we place some of the blame on the translator? Or maybe on the language--as Latin languages are often hard to translate without losing, if not the essence, the subtleties and fine distinctions? Or, is the author simply not what I hoped and expected? Does every other sentence begin with the "F" word in Cuba or just in this novel?
It was labeled "scorching" but the only really scorching part to me was the heat of a Cuban summer, not the novel. Maybe I'm disappointed because this was so unlike an American or English "whodunit" that it derailed me a bit. I think this isn't the real reason though, as I've read other mysteries in other languages that have been translated and I've been riveted by the writing or at least the translation. No, I'm going to have to say, this book was somewhat of a let down to me. I did force myself to finish it and I did enjoy the interplay between the various characters/comrades that Conde constantly interacts with, but there was not enough of a mystery and there was too much extraneous verbiage that did not contribute to the overall theme. Padura does have a good eye and ear for detail about Havana, heat, sensuality, sex, and friendship, but for pure "thriller", it goes lacking. And, some of the sexual detail was unnecessarily explicit. There was more detail in this regard than about the body of the murdered. And, where was the use of forensics, certainly they were using more than just bloodtype when this book was written?
Padura does a good job drawing most of his characters in a manner that we come to care about them, and he can be sardonic at the right times, but I failed to follow how he truly solved the mystery of the strangulation of a one-time transvestite; his deductive reasoning did not measure up to a good criminal investigative pursuit. The book seemed to be rife with other issues and the crime incidental to the novel as a whole. I kept wondering why it was classified as a mystery? Also, I was left with a question? Who really was the "Other Boy?" He seemed so central throughout the story but we're never really given his identity and even though I think I have good powers of deductive and reductive reasoning, I could not conclusively decide who he was and it seemed to be an important detail? Why leave it to the minds of the reader if it was so universal to the storyline? It was frustrating and with no real purpose? Was it in someway related to Fatman Contrersas? And, why did Fatman play a role that was never fully delineated yet dropped on us as though it was of grave importance--as was the entire internal investigation--with no clearly detailed purpose other than to bring back Conde from a desk job? Loose ends.....
What I did find of great interest was the way in which homosexuals were treated in Cuba in "days gone by" and was a piece of history that I did not know. I still do not know if Alberto Marquess' writing will go down in infamy (symbolically, of course) but I did like the idea that even though writers were repressed in Cuba, the repression could not stop them from thinking and writing, only publishing their works--for a time. And, after understanding the juxtaposition of the Paris storyline, I did enjoy the use of the parallel stories as a way to extricate the past lives of some of the major characters and thereby understand their role in the overall "mystery."
So, while I learned some important things about Cuba and about Spanish writers of whom I had never heard, during a time when much was being repressed by the totalitarian government and its renowned dictator, I still feel dissatisfied with the novel. But, then, we all wear masks, as Batman said, so maybe, Padura's mask will be lifted as he begins to be translated and I may grow to enjoy his work. While only giving this 3 stars, which I consider a gift, I will read him again to see if there is an improved relationship between his writing and my liking.
Padura's "Metaphor for life in Cuba" as well as a beautifully written murder mystery!.......2006-08-24
"Havana Red" is so much more than a murder mystery - although it is an excellent example of the genre. Cuban author Leonardo Padura paints a realistic portrait of his lady love, the city of Havana, in this wonderful novel. He doesn't skimp on thrills and chills either!
What makes "Havana Red" so fascinating is that this ode is not to the glamorous vacation oasis of casinos, clubs, and luxury hotels that once brought the city fame. This is a paean, of sorts, to present day La Habana, with its crumbling post revolution colonial buildings which require more than a paint job to restore them to former glory; the winding streets filled with a most unique charm, although in need of repair; traffic jams caused by Chevrolets and Oldsmobiles from a 1958 time warp, Soviet-made Volgas and Ladas alongside newer Japanese Hyundais and Nissans with their cacophony of honking horns that work, amazingly, even with a lack of spare parts; the glorious Malecón, that famous avenue which runs along the seawall, where one can view the ever present Castillo del Morro in the distance. This is the tropical capital of Fidel's Cuba, a lusty city full of character and color, a strange mix of Europe, America, and Africa, a stalwart lady, though faded, who resonates with the syncopated beat of the rumba. Talk of politics is ever present here, despite what outsiders think. Cubans are difficult to repress. Complaints about life and lack of liberty are also prevalent, as well as a strange cynical acceptance about the way things are. This is a city that would still inspire Hemingway and Graham Green...just as it does Leonardo Padura.
Into this extraordinary environment steps Lieutenant Mario Conde, a Havana police detective who has been taken off suspended duty, (temporarily), to investigate the lurid murder of a transvestite who turns out to be the son of a prominent Cuban government official. In the process of solving the case, Sr. Padura exposes various societal subcultures, including that of the much persecuted and marginalized homosexual community. Conde, an astute man with a well developed sense of irony, seeks assistance from talented Alberto Marqués, a retired writer and theatrical director who was blacklisted during his artistic prime. The "Marquess," ("as his coteries entitled him"), his interaction with the detective and his reminiscences of Paris in his youth, are marvelously portrayed. Really strong writing here, quite poetic at times.
Leonardo Padura won Spain's Dashiell Hammett Prize for "Havana Red." He is regarded in Cuba as a national treasure...and rightly so. In an interview Padura stated: "I would prefer it if the novel is not read solely as the story of a dead transvestite and an old homosexual who helps a policeman uncover the truth, but as a metaphor for life in Cuba, a life in which the masks worn by people hide not only sexual differences but religious and social ideologies, considered sometimes inappropriate by the official orthodoxy."
JANA
A warning.......2006-05-01
'Havana Red' is NOT "The first of the Havana quartet featuring Inspector Mario Conde... ", nor is it "... a fantastic first tale." A fantastic tale, no problem, but not the first. It is the first one translated into English, but it's actually the third volume of the quartet (Spanish title 'Mascaras'), and the forthcoming 'Havana Black' (*'Paisaje de otono') was the final volume, not the second. It's a pity the English translations aren't being published in the original order, as the reader is going to miss out on some of the pleasure of following developments in Mario Conde's personal and professional lives - especially those involving Tamara - in their correct sequence.
The original publication dates are: Pasado perfecto, 1991; Vientos de cuaresma, 1994; Mascaras, 1997; Paisaje de otono, 1998.
By the way, I haven't actually read this translation, but I've read all four volumes of the 'Havana quartet' in Spanish, and I'd give each of them five stars.
*Should have the squiggly thing over the 'n', but it looks like this site can't handle it.
Not my cup of tea.......2006-04-03
I am certain that for readers with a more mature taste this is a fascinating book. Unfortunately if you're looking for a police procedural, not too complicated and entertaining, then this isn't for you.
Product Description
First 4 mmpbs Titles in Arkady Renko Series - Gorky Park - Polar Star - Red Square - Havana Bay
Book Description
Sweeney St. George looks nothing like a university Professor with her unruly red curls and preference for vintage clothing. Single and wary of relationships, she pours her energy into her college teaching and a passionate interest in cemetery art. And now Sweeney is intrigued with a macabre graveyard statue of a beautiful woman-a carving that is at once astonishing, sinister, and perhaps hiding a one-hundred-year-old murder....Dying to find out more about the strange monument, Sweeney heads for a winter holiday among friends at a mansion in Vermont's historic Byzantium Art Colony. Her plan is to snoop in dusty archives and tromp through the tiny cemetery where the statue still stands. But what Sweeney finds in this isolated rural community is an emotional awakening, a chilling link between old and new crimes....and a clever killer reaching for her with deadly hands.
Customer Reviews:
A Heroine to relate to.......2007-04-26
I accidentally found this book on a discount rack and as soon as I read the flap found myself wanting to sit down and read it through. It is a fast read and of interesting matter. Sweeney's background in art history is so complex and emotional that I hope Ms. Taylor explores this more deeply in future books. Sweeney so easily could be part of the art colony she travels to in order to unravel the mystery of the mysterious grave marker. I have always found headstones fascinating and have found some of the most beautiful and proud headstones in cemetaries when visiting relatives. That an author would use this as a backdrop without being macabre is wonderful.
The ending is a bit foreseeable but Sweeney's end to the book is refreshing in that it doesn't follow the normal woman in distress ending up with a man.
It should be a great series. It has murder and mayhem without the blood and guts described in great detail that plague so many books.
I Don't Know Why.......2006-12-31
I had such a hard time finishing this book.
I saw this book after I finished the Fiona Mountain Genealogical Mystery books and thought that it would be as interesting. Both Natasha and Sweeney are complicated women due to their pasts and personal relationships with unique careers.
Atmosphere plays a big role in all the novels but for some reason while the subject matter is fascinating and the beginnings are intriguing-something stalls in the telling and makes finishing the novel an exercise in sloughing through.
I think the problem in O'Artful Death was the other characters. For the most part they are pretty unlikeable and although for a mystery that is not a big deal. I found one character really irritating and in the end that is the character who turns out to be instigator.
I do want to read the next three in the series-the writing and the theme are interesting. And I can recommend O'Artful Death as a short reading experience. Somehow I expect either in the way of presentation or characterization but writing is an ongoing skill-the seed of a good mystery novel is there. I am curious about the rest of the series so I suspect that is a good thing.
A wonderful, fresh character.......2006-11-25
I really enjoyed Sarah Taylor's first Sweeney St. George novel. Taylor paints wonderful scenes, and the character of Sweeney is very likable with a very interesting backstory. I can't wait to see how the future novels play out. Give it a try!
what's all the fuss about?.......2006-10-14
I read the reviews on this book and the brief synopsis and thought it looked really interesting. Unfortunately, it was BORING. It dragged on and on and on and . . . The heroine was wishy washy, and I'd already figured out who did it--and why--before I was half way through the book.
It WAS interesting in the descriptions of funerary practices, but that was the only reason it was interesting
Enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book.......2006-09-15
I read this book in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book, but strongly disliked the last 1/3. I agree with the "overstuffed plot" and "wobbly denouement" assessment of the professional reviewer above.
Average customer rating:
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O' Artful Death
Sarah Taylor
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Minotaur
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTE7FQ |
Book Description
In the wake of a shattered alliance, the New Republic fights a relentless new enemy in an all-new adventure in the bestselling Star Wars saga...
Faced with an alarming image of Han as a battered hostage of the Yevetha, Chewbacca takes on an urgent mission. Meanwhile, Leia calls upon the Senate to take a stand and eliminate the Yevetha threat--even at the cost of Han's life. As a former Imperial governor takes his battle to the runaway Qella spaceship, Luke's continuing search for his mother brings him dangerously close to Nil Spaar's deadly forces. And as the Yevetha close in on the forces of the New Republic, Luke takes a desperate gamble with an invisible weapon...
Customer Reviews:
Still angry, but at least it's over..........2007-05-18
Finally! We have reached the end of this terrible series!
Luke breaks off with this girl, learning that she lied to him. What a dork! How could he allow himself to be deceived by her and drag him all over the galaxy doing nothing and then just walk away as if nothing happened? Obviously, she must have been HOT.
Lando's little ship journey finally turns out to be not as much of a waste of time as it was in the first two books. Chewie goes out to rescue Han. And the whole Yevetha plotline is neatly wrapped up and thrown away (it was that bad).
This is probably the best of the three books (not saying much). Something actually happens in the book, and it is actually quite exciting (a word not known in the previous two books). I mean, I think my heart rate went up for a brief time (no, it wasn't related to getting closer to the end of the book). The characters are still badly portrayed, but if we were looking at good portrayals, we would be reading Timothy Zahn, not this series.
As I closed this book, I was happy. Happy that there were no more books and that this terrible, terrible series was over. Happy that this author has never written a Star Wars novel since these. Not so happy that I wasted so much time on these, but beggars can't be choosers.
Oh, and by the way, read this series at your own risk!
poorly written, but entertaining.......2007-01-09
I thought this was the best after I got hooked on this trilogy- I really wish i hadn't thoguh!
Didn't Enjoy It At All.......2006-06-23
I didn't like this trilogy. This was the best one but it was still awful. Not going into the plot. Amazon does that for me but this book was boring. I hate the Lando sections. Just wasn't exciting and other than the story of Chewie and his son didn't further the characters. I don't recommend you get this book unless you've suffered through the other two in the trilogy and want to find out how it ends.
Good end to Bad trilogy.......2006-01-13
Ok, so it is finally over. For such a bad series the end was good. It makes much more sense now (not). The only thing that really made sense was the fact that Luke was searching for his mother and basically it boils down to the fact that he was lied to. He went on a wild goose chase. The author did a really bad job with all of the characters except for Chewie and Lando. Luke would never act like that and Leia (it was worse than the other two and that is saying a lot). In the first two books the author didnt do a bad job with Han, but he really was not in the much. But this time he was it quite a bit, he gets kidnapped (Han Solo kidnapped, you have got to be kidding). All and all I would say skip this series it really has no connection to the rest of the star wars universe.
Great Book.......2005-09-05
Michael P. Kube-McDowell is a superb writer. He beautifully conveys his stories and at the same time actively involving his reader in entertaining and fun ways. I would recommend this series to anyone looking for an exciting fast-paced read that will expand on a familiar theme and story line.
As for the seller, the book was in great condition and I appreciated the quick clean delivery. Thank you! ***** for you too!
Product Description
3 mass market paperback. The Black Fleet Crisis Trilogy - Before the Storm - Shield of Lies - Tyrant's Test
Book Description
Ask teens and they'll confirm it—verbal abuse is "a fact of teen life." From simple put-downs to hate-filled "trash talking," teens are drowning in a sea of poisoned words. How can it be stopped?
In her previous bestsellers, The Verbally Abusive Relationship and Controlling People, author and relationship expert Patricia Evans blazed new trails in helping us understand verbally abusive adults.
In Teen Torment, Evans explores how verbal abuse affects parents, teachers, peers, and the abusers themselves. She also reveals how teens become verbal abusers and how this verbal poison can spread into every aspect of teen life.
In this must-read book, Evans shows teens, parents, and teachers how important it is to detect this hurtful behavior early on, and how to deal with and end this escalating epidemic in America before painful words and ugly talk ruin young lives.
Customer Reviews:
good read.......2004-06-13
this is a good read for anyone who has to deal with verbal abuse. I feel like the title is a little misleading, as I have found this book very helpful in dealing with my mother and I am 28 yrs old. Although, I wish this book had been around when I was a teen, it probably would've made growing up with an abusive parent a lot easier. It is very insightful and gives helpful advice on recognizing patterns and "tricks" and also dealing with the verbal abuse. I also feel like I will be a better parent myself for reading this book. Much thanks to the author !
Teach your children to recognize and reject verbal abuse........2003-12-31
There is nothing that a survivor of verbal abuse wants more than to spare their children the devastation of a lifetime exposure to verbal abuse. Unfortunately, for those who have not felt it, or cannot wrap their mind around the concept and articulate it, the concept of verbal abuse, and its devastating effects, can seem very abstract. Teen Torment, as I read it, took the concept of verbal abuse, presenting it and analyzing it in a context that everyone has experienced (as a teen). Teen Torment presents an analysis of verbal abuse in a context which anyone who has experienced teen life has lived through. Thus making the concept of verbal abuse less abstract, and far easier to grasp and understand. The beauty of this approach is that once a person learns to identify verbal abuse in the context of teen life, they are much better prepared to recognize it in the context of intimate relationships. An added bonus is that a victim in a verbally abusive relationship can read this book without drawing the critical attention of the abuser, as the title (Teen Torment) does not immediately reveal a topic which the abuser, at first glance, might find threatening. In short, this is a great book on verbal abuse that has application to all people who seek to gain a greater understanding of verbal abuse, and particularly for parents who desire to spare their children from the torment of verbal abuse.
a must read.......2003-11-03
Provides a great reference in understanding verbal abuse and what a devestating impact it has on a teen. Many adults can relate to this too and perhaps see themselves as victims from their past. This book will also help others evaluate their "blind spots" and recheck verbal messages they are sending. "Everyone" should read this!
Books:
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- In the Shadow of the Law: A Novel
- Isle of Palms
- Kane and Abel
- Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar (World of Hetar)
- Las Lagrimas Del Sol/the Sun's Tears (Leer En Espanol, Level 4)
- Leaving Cold Sassy
- Liar's Game
- Line of Fire: Corps 05 (Corps)
- Mark of the Lion : A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure As the Dawn (Vol 1-3)
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Contemporary
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Havana Black (Mario Conde Mystery 2)
Holy Smoke
Adios Hemingway
Havana Blue (Mario Conde Mystery 3)
Total Chaos (Marseilles Trilogy)
