The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love (Abridged) Audiobook

" Pulitzer Prize winner - for a reason. A fictional account of two brothers' coming to America from Cuba. Exquisite writing. "

" Oscar Hijuelos has an amazing way with language and description, which I loved...and hated. The book just felt so very long. "

" Sensual, rich prose, glimpse into Cuban culture. "

" Hot and frenetic like the music itself, this is the life story of a Mambo King from his macho escapades as a young immigrant in New York in the 1940s and 50s to his septic old age, alone in a hotel room with his records. It's a racy and timely depiction of the latino music scene in Harlem in the middle of the last century. "

" Very good writing, very sensual, immerses you in the 1930s NYC Cuban life. "

" I remember reading this several years ago, for an independent study. I disliked it so much I debated whether to just close the book or attempt to finish it. I finished it and felt no different. "

" The prose was gorgeous, and the flashback style was very emotional, but it was almost a little too much for me at times. I loved the setting and the way he so richly wove the culture of the time into the story, as well as his talent for putting feelings into words, but at times it became somewhat pointless. The storyline could be clear and easy to follow, or it could be a jumble of dancing and sex and random memories that could make your head hurt a litle if you really tried to understand it. Despite that, I'll be picking up another book by the author to see what his other stuff is like- it's definitely a book that makes you think. "

" Some good prose and descriptions, mostly of the past / childhood of Ceasar. Not that compelling to read, easy to put away, read another book and come back to later. "

" Too sexually explicit. "

" Loved this book about 2 Cuban brothers trying to make it in America in the 50's and their brush with fame. "

" This book is descriptive and well developed. All in all, it's very interesting. Ummm...one exception: it is rather depressing. The plot is like a male version of Madame Bovary. "

" This book is less a novel than it is a music history essay. Plot and character development are sorely missing here. But it is a great transport to another era. I agree with other reviewers here. Don't know why it won the Pulitzer! "

" This is a great novel - it's full of sex and longing and bad behavior. It's also twice as long as the film, which takes its story from the first half. Definitely a strong work. "

" It was a lovely book full of lyrical musings on life, love, death and the music that links it all together. "

" If you want to read 400 meandering pages about the huge penis of a repugnant, misogynist rapist, this is the book for you. If you are sane, skip it. "

" I loved the characters and the subject of this book but my biggest complaint is that it got repetitive. "

" By far the worst book I have ever read in my life. If I could give this book a negative-star rating, I would. "

" Don't ever see the movie. It will ruin for you the amazing experience of reading this book. "

" Great story about two Cuban immigrants. Really interesting perspective. One of the best scenes that I've ever read in a book when one brother in unaware of cataclysmic changes happening to the other. "

" A mambo for the mind.... "

" A lyrical telling of the story of some Cubans who migrated to New York and pursued careers as musicians. The juxtaposition of existential and mundane, modern and traditional, carnal and domestic, keeps the story alive and true. "

" I found this book boring. As others have said, 90% of the book is one guy talking about his sexual activities (not in a sexy way at all) and I found the book semi-pointless. "

" A lush, sensual novel "

" I liked the movie better. "

" I enjoyed this work. Mr. Hijuelos captures the Cuban night performer scene in a cool way. He's a Hofstra boy! "

" I remember reading this several years ago, for an independent study. I disliked it so much I debated whether to just close the book or attempt to finish it. I finished it and felt no different. "

" Pulitzer level novels must have been slim in 1990. This was terrible. Too much sex. I realize that is painting an accurate picture of the mail chaacter, but i'm not interested in reading it. "

" One of my all-time favorites. It absolutely earned and deserved it's Pullitzer. "

" Great story about two Cuban immigrants. Really interesting perspective. One of the best scenes that I've ever read in a book when one brother in unaware of cataclysmic changes happening to the other. "

" This is one of my favorites. "

" Racy account of life in New York City for two Cuban immigrants that although keeps the reader engrossed with tales of racy adventures and womanizing tends to drag a bit towards the end. "

" I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. The author Oscar Hijuelos lived in Rome and was a scholar of the American Academy in the '80's. "

" Very good writing, very sensual, immerses you in the 1930s NYC Cuban life. "