You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
livingprose's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emilyisreading2024's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was entertaining and evocative of the time period, but I got tired of all the sex and booze after a while.
jennifertordy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
There were certainly some parts of this book that have not aged well but I was struck by how engaging it was. I loved the I Love Lucy aspect and the descriptions really took me to a specific place. A place that almost felt real. The imigrant experience felt honest and upfront. In general it was a fun, sexy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition
1.0
Oh my gosh.
Are Pulitzer reviewers just really oversexed? Undersexed? I’m trying to figure out what would cause a book filled with this much sec to be chosen.
That’s essentially the plot: two guys abs how horny they are and try to have sex with every woman they meet.
Are Pulitzer reviewers just really oversexed? Undersexed? I’m trying to figure out what would cause a book filled with this much sec to be chosen.
That’s essentially the plot: two guys abs how horny they are and try to have sex with every woman they meet.
drewmoody321's review against another edition
4.0
Read my full review here: http://thepulitzerblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/14/entry-1-2-the-mambo-kings-play-songs-of-love-by-oscar-hijuelos-1990/
kdonegan's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
pianorunner421's review against another edition
3.0
I do not enjoy stream of consciousness writing. I had to read a Pulitzer Award winner for my challenge. I picked this one because I am interested in historical novels, I am a musician and I live in NYC. There is a great story here. Some interesting characters, anecdotes and settings. There is not enough dialogue and too much jumping around in an old man's mind
lbb00ks's review against another edition
I could not finish this book. I'm not sure why the style did not entice me to read on. I may pick it up again at some point.
alliepeduto's review against another edition
2.0
I will preface this by saying I accidentally listened to the abridged version of the book (I started the audiobook and realized that it was only 3 hours of listening for a 400 page novel...) so I feel like my rating is a bit unfair given I didn’t get the full experience. That being said, what I did get from the story did not make me want to read the actual book. It seemed to ramble on a bit, which is concerning given the edition I had was abridged. I had trouble staying interested in the story, especially when it focused on Cesar since I found him intensely unlikeable. But it did win the Pulitzer in 1990, and it does an excellent job of portraying a perspective that was often overlooked in the 50s and 60s, so I will say it did an excellent job in that respect.