A once-renowned Latin musician, Cesar Castillo, was more infamous for the countless women he bedded than for the number of songs he composed. He secluded himself in a hotel, ruminating on the 62 years of his life, which were filled with sex, despair, rum, and mambo (for there was little else). As he drank himself to death, this book essentially encapsulates his story.

However, in the process, we gain vivid insights into life in Cuba before Castro, the struggles of Hispanic immigrants in New York City, passion, the fragmented and vulnerable lives of itinerant musicians seeking their brief moment of fame, and the obsession with drink and sex as a means to drown out depression. I lost count of the number of women Cesar, the elder Mambo King, had in this book, and I was envious of his glorious “member” that seemed to be the only thing standing (well, almost) while all his other organs had failed.

The narrative frequently switches points of view, mirroring Cesar’s scattered thoughts. Since there is no distinct plotline, just Cesar’s journey from Cuba to a hotel in New York, it is not difficult to follow. We often move between Oriente in Cuba, Havana, New York, and back. Real-life personalities are juxtaposed with fictional ones – notably Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, and the entire cohort of mambo stars from the 1950s and 1960s are mentioned at various times in passing. At one point, I questioned whether this was a thinly disguised biography of an actual mambo artist known to the author that had been fictionalized.

The Mambo Kings are the Castillo brothers, Cesar and Nestor. Cesar is the gregarious, womanizing, and alcohol-loving elder brother, while Nestor is the introverted, tormented younger sibling, pining for Maria, who jilted him in Cuba and became the muse for all his future musical compositions. They embody the contrast between the free-spirited artist sowing his wild oats and the happily married man who must curb his passions or direct them only towards his spouse. The bond between the brothers is completed when Nestor dies tragically, sending Cesar into a downward spiral from which he never recovers. In fact, the book could have ended with Nestor’s death, as the second half is really about Cesar debasing the virile image we had of him.

The style is visceral, often dwelling on the size, shapes, and colors of women’s pubic hair, the smells and emissions of bodies in heat, the overwhelming pleasure that Cesar (and occasionally Nestor) gives his women as he makes passionate love to them, the rich food, and the debris and danger of living in the poorer areas of Manhattan.

We never learn why Cesar was inclined towards self-destruction after Nestor passed away. Was it his abused childhood that left him without direction? Was Nestor the true talent behind the Mambo Kings? Was Cesar feeling guilty for making out in the car on the day Nestor crashed? All we see is Cesar’s overwhelming desire to drown his grief in sex and alcohol. And in the end, as if to prove that this is not the way to find reconciliation, we see Cesar, drunk and dying, impotently listening to the sounds of his neighbors, a younger couple, making glorious love, while all he can do is reminisce and take another drink that is slowly killing him.

This novel powerfully portrays the life of immigrant musicians pursuing the American Dream. However, I would have liked to see these characters exhibit more intellect and artistry – perhaps those qualities could have helped them escape the ghetto and reach the echelons where people like Desi Arnaz, another Cuban, ended up. Instead, being slaves to their hearts and loins, the Mambo Kings self-destruct.

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Might eventually bump this up a star, but it hovers really around a 3.5. His writing style and Chabon's are somewhat similar. Just like with "Kavalier and Clay", I admired this book but didn't love it. Additionally, authors need to understand that they can write about sexist characters or sexist time periods without being sexist themselves. In this entire book, there wasn't a single fully developed woman. After reading 700 pages, that gets really tiring. And for someone like Hijuelos, who is writing so reverently and beautifully about people and a culture that haven't received the credit they deserve, it's especially frustrating to see that he excludes half of the people who made up that culture.

It's a pity because the book has many redeeming qualities. The story is engaging and the descriptions are vivid. However, the lack of well-rounded female characters detracts from the overall experience. It makes one wonder if the author was so focused on other aspects of the story that he overlooked the importance of representing women equally. Maybe in future works, Hijuelos will address this issue and create a more inclusive world for his readers.

Cesar and Nestor Castillo are brothers who journey from pre-Castro Cuba to New York.

In the 1940s and 50s, they rise to semi-stardom as the Mambo Kings.

Despite his success, Nestor can never break free from a failed relationship with the love of his life. He is a melancholic and fatalist.

Midway through the book, he dies in a car wreck. (One wonders if he had a death wish.)

The rest of the book follows Cesar as he fritters away his time in his hotel room, reminiscing about the good old days.

When Nestor crashed the car he was driving, Cesar was in the back seat, getting frisky with his latest lady friend.

Most of Cesar's musings about the past center around his sexual exploits. He was quite the ladies' man in his prime.

He has a large member, or so he claims. Just ask him, and he will tell you, over and over and over again.

The first half of the book is beautifully written, with Hijuelos' poetic style on full display.

However, the second half drags on, becoming a repetitious chore.

I was diligently working my way through this particular book, methodically punching that metaphorical clock as I delved into the works of the Pulitzer winners. However, initially, it felt like an aimless and pointless meander of a book.

Then, one late night, when I was already halfway through, I happened to read the author's note at the back. And BAM! Suddenly, I understood precisely what he was striving for. From that moment on, I developed a genuine appreciation for the book and thoroughly enjoyed the remainder of it.

To be fair, I do wonder, if one has to be informed of the point by the author himself, has the author truly achieved his aim? I find myself unable to quite decide. Because, truth be told, knowing the author's vision for the book truly did transform my interpretation of it (and I thought it was truly amazing). But without that crucial insight, I was neither enjoying nor understanding the book. Hmm.

P.S. There is an abundance of rather raunchy content in this book. The author described it as hyperphallic, I believe. At first, I had assumed it was merely going to be a dull book with a few steamy scenes thrown in to add some excitement. But it ultimately turned out to be far more than that.

Richly detailed and raw, this article takes you on a captivating journey.

It presents a vivid and unfiltered account of the subject matter, leaving no stone unturned.

The level of detail is astonishing, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the narrative.

Every aspect is explored with precision and authenticity, making it a truly engaging read.

From the smallest nuances to the overarching themes, nothing is overlooked.

This rawness adds an extra layer of authenticity, making you feel as if you are experiencing the events firsthand.

Whether it's a story, a description, or an analysis, this article delivers in spades.

It invites you to explore, to question, and to form your own opinions.

With its rich detail and raw approach, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.

So, sit back, relax, and prepare to be enthralled by this remarkable piece of writing.

Being Cuban-American myself, I was truly eager to read this book. However, I really struggled with it. I firmly believe it was because Mr. Hijuelos' writing style simply isn't for me. Perhaps fictional memoirs, in general, are not my cup of tea. There were indeed a few interesting parts scattered throughout the book, but for the most part, it was extremely slow-paced and seemed to drag on interminably. Seriously, how many pages does it take for me to understand that Nestor was completely lovesick over Maria? Additionally, I feel compelled to say that not all Cubans have sex constantly on their minds 24/7. In my opinion, Cubans are very passionate people who truly enjoy romance. This book did manage to show some of that beautiful romance, but unfortunately, most of it was overly focused on the physical aspect of love rather than delving deep into the emotional side. I'm just expressing my honest thoughts here! I understand that it won a Pulitzer prize for a reason, but to be honest, I just don't quite get why.

I want to echo the sentiment I've seen in several reviews: HOW did this win a Pulitzer??

This book follows two brothers - Cesar and Nestor. They are members of "The Mambo Kings" and...

Who knows. The book starts strong, with a good intro and a taste of decent writing. The storyline is promising. Desi Arnaz? Cuban love songs? Then, we get to the bulk of the story, which is:

Sex. All day, every other page, all night. The actual story is lost in the sea of sex. I can't even start to try and appreciate the author's prose I've seen people rave about. I'm too busy trying to figure out if I somehow fell into the Pulitzer porn section by mistake.

Through kindle search, here are some word counts:

kiss (active): 89

penis: 27

erection: 10

his (big) thing: 12

member (sexual): 9

sex(ual) organ: 6

testicle: 9

breast: 62

nipple: 21

panties: 30

pubic hair: 13

vagina: 9

buttocks: 12

f*** (sexual): 16

made love: 7

pleasure (sexual): 16

There are FAR more euphemisms, but this is just a sample of some basics. Keep in mind that this book is just over 400 pages long. The first 40-ish pages are clean, and there's another decent break (again, around 40 pages) in the middle. The very end is also clean. So imagine the spacing when just looking how often, say, panties are brought up across 300 pages.

The sexual encounters are graphic. There's a rape thrown in there, and just ick. But mostly the book follows the exploits of our two leads. They frequently have sex because "they can't help themselves". And there’s loads of ogling, but it's inevitable - they're virile men! A lot of times the women feel obligated, not involved. There's infidelity and violence. One brother is more debauched than the other, and as he ages, he basically just becomes a lecher - again, graphically.

It’s unpleasant. Nothing about these scenes is sexy, but they continue. And continue. And continue.

And continue.

When a primary character dies, one of his last thoughts is of a wet condom. Within a few pages after this tragedy, back to the sex - but it's grieving sex. (So, we're okay?) The weather, city, and especially the music, are all analogous to sex.

As I mentioned, we do get a break from the sex at the halfway point. Here, we see what was hinted at in the prologue. This author can write. There's a quality story lurking here. But, alas. It doesn't last.

I've never so badly wanted to quit on a book before, but unfortunately I'm determined to read Pulitzer fiction winners. Whatever good parts I did see in this have been crushed by *insert euphemism*. I won't be able to think cleanly for weeks. Thanks, Oscar Hijuelos.

This review seems to be a very critical assessment of the book. The reviewer is clearly disappointed with the excessive amount of graphic sexual content, which they feel overshadows any potential quality in the story or writing. They highlight the various sexual references and euphemisms used throughout the book, and express their discomfort with the way the women are portrayed and the overall tone of the sexual encounters.

The reviewer does mention that there are some moments where the author's writing shines through, but these are overshadowed by the constant focus on sex. They also express their frustration with the fact that they feel obligated to read Pulitzer-winning fiction, even when they don't enjoy the book.

Overall, this review provides a detailed and honest account of the reviewer's experience with the book, and is likely to be of interest to others who are considering reading it or who are interested in discussions about the role of sexual content in literature.

Wow! What a whirlwind of emotions and experiences this book takes us on!

It delves into the complex lives of two Cuban musician brothers, Nestor and Cesar Castillo. Their childhood was a difficult one, with an abusive father and a sainted mother.

They then embark on a pilgrimage to New York in search of fame and fortune. Along the way, they encounter loves, successes, and failures that shape their lives.

The book culminates in a heart-wrenching retrospection that leaves the reader pondering the question: "Was it all worth it?"

The author, Oscar Hijuelos, does an excellent job of not providing a straightforward answer. Instead, he leaves it to the reader to decide, armed with a plethora of beautifully crafted memory descriptions.

I think men might relate to this book on a deeper level, perhaps more so than I did. The numerous references to Cesar's penis are quite astonishing.

Whether he's engaged in various activities like peeing, making love, singing, fighting, or simply walking down the street, Cesar's "Johnson" seems to have a reaction.

Interestingly, Hijuelos uses these references to create powerful metaphors between Cesar's genitals and his heart. It gives a new perspective on the term "he thinks with his dick."

Cesar's deepest feelings are closely tied to that organ, much like the heart is connected to many other aspects of our lives.

In the end, I highly recommend this Pulitzer Prize-winning book to anyone over the age of 16. It offers a profound and sometimes brutally honest insight into the heart of a man.

It may not always be a pretty picture, but it is a true reflection of the human condition. A masterpiece that beautifully describes life in all its complexity. Nice!

2 stars

I initially began reading this particular work, but unfortunately, I didn't find it enjoyable at all.

The way women were portrayed in it was highly objectified, which really didn't sit well with me. Additionally, the writing style didn't appeal to my tastes either.

Later on, I discovered that our library had an abridged audiobook version of it, which was only 3 hours long. I thought to myself, "Why not give it a try?" However, much to my disappointment, it didn't get any better.

The abridged version contained 2 rape scenes that were described from the male perspective. And from what I could see when I was flipping through the book, there might potentially be more such disturbing scenes.

Overall, there was really nothing about this that I could say I liked. It was a rather underwhelming and unappealing experience from start to finish.

There are numerous Pulitzer-winning novels that I have truly adored.

Some of them include All the Light We Cannot See, A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain, All the King's Men, just to mention a few.

Regarding this particular one, I can state that if you were to eliminate all the pages where someone exposes his pinga, what would remain is a remarkable and captivating short story about Cuban musicians residing in New Jersey.

Remember that false statistic that emerged, suggesting that men think about sex every seven minutes? Based on this, it seems that is an understatement.

The prevalence of such content in this work perhaps detracts from its otherwise potential to be a more widely appreciated and respected piece of literature.

It makes one wonder if the author could have achieved the same engaging narrative without relying so heavily on such explicit and perhaps unnecessary elements.

Nonetheless, it still contains some interesting aspects that could have been developed further in a more tasteful manner.

Through the life of one man, a Cuban immigrant to New York in the 1950s who knew momentary success as part of a Latin band, this book attempts to recreate an era.

If this is indeed an accurate portrayal of that time and place, it presents a rather dismal picture of life. People seemed to be leading vapid lives, lost in a drug and alcohol haze. There was an obsession with recreational sex that lacked any real commitment, and women were completely objectified, seen only as sex objects or servants.

The book, unfortunately, was far too long and repetitive. It seemed that a large portion of the text was filled with unnecessary mentions of pubic hair, nipples, and penises. In fact, if 90% of these graphic descriptions had been cut from the text, it might not have even qualified as a novella.

I don't care if this book won a Pulitzer. In my opinion, it was unnecessarily vulgar and highly insulting to women. I can only give it a rating of 1.5 stars.