Scan barcode
katecurry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
1.75
There was no need to portray the female characters as the author did. It brought me out of the story and made it difficult to continue. The sexual violence took over the plot and made Cesar and Nestor unbelievably unlikeable.
leslielu67's review against another edition
2.0
Meh - did this book really win a Pulitzer? It jumped around too much and ultimately I don’t feel like I knew either of the brothers. The audio was read by an old man with a decent voice BUT who gasped and audibly ran his tongue around in his mouth. The last part was an odd hallucination (?) featuring nephew (now narrating, but same reader) and Desi Arnaz. Maybe it played better on film.
filbina's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
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/