Reviews

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos

melinaisreading's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

andreacpowers's review against another edition

DNF. I'm putting it down. I'm not sure where the story is or if it just goes on and on about music and life around it. And I don't understand the love for I Love Lucy.

mcbibliotecaria's review against another edition

2.0

I wanted to at least like this book, and the first half I did. But you know when you sometimes enjoy a book and would like to see a sequel, just what happens to the main character after the climax. Half way through the book it occurs, and then you have to sit through another 200 pages of Cesar reflections on his sexual life. Its graphic, crude, and from a male's point of view. Primarily this book is from Nestor or Cesar's perspective, but Cesar, even in his old age is still sexually active and the descriptions, a few very rapey situations, are exhausting to read through. And nothing happens in the second half, except the typical end of life replay of a life (in his opinion) wasted.

First half, more full of music and dropping names. But second half, a long dirty old man history of his sexual conquests.

I loved any and all I Love Lucy references.

frankiepooh's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

fee42's review against another edition

1.0

Repetitive
Repetitive
Repetitive
I persevered because it won the Pulitzer Prize. I wish I had shelved it after 5 pages.

lexiereads22's review against another edition

slow-paced

1.0

most boring book i’ve ever read.

suzzeb22's review against another edition

4.0

Compared to Oscar Hijuelos' book Mr. Ives Christmas, this book is a lot racier. He fills pages up with stories of sexual encounters between Cesar Castillo and a huge number of women including Vanna Vane, a blonde bombshell. His brother Nestor also has romantic encounters and lots of heartache.
The characters are very well realized, particularly Cesar who lives until his 60's. His struggles with his machismo, his fight to stay a musician, his failed club, his ageing etc. All of these are well explored.
I felt melancholy whenever he would reminisce about Cuba and how happy he was as a child walking through fields of wildflowers. Some beautiful and touching moments and beautiful prose by the author.

pilgrimbookstore89's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

emherland's review against another edition

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

3.0

stephanie_garrott's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

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

2.0