Reviews

The Cuban Comedy by Pablo Medina

aminakara's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

banned_book's review against another edition

1.0

I couldn't get past the first couple of chapters. A warning to unsuspecting readers: this book starts off with graphic depictions of grooming and pedophilia. I understand that "it was a different time," and written about a different culture. But that didn't make it any easier to scrape through. The poetry bits weren't impressive enough to offset the disgsust I felt for the characters or the plot.

gypsynyx91's review against another edition

dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

marblemenow's review against another edition

challenging funny sad fast-paced

3.0

sarahelem's review against another edition

challenging sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

It was a lot more tense and challenging than I thought it would be, with an air of sadness that permeated the entire book. An insightful look into Cuba, an important read, but not a happy read.

camerawoman's review

dark funny sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I love the growth of our protagonist and how it forms in the setting. I’ll probably revisit this one later for lit reasons. 

It’s only a comedy in the way the director of the Emerson MFA program would say it’s a comedy (which Pablo is). 

I think the only book I’ve read in 3 years where a male writer writes a female lead. And I love that about the book. He writes her beautifully.

jacobinreads's review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

jambery's review

3.0

I enjoyed this revolutionary poet slice of life novel.