This story of a repressed composer and his love for a performer named Rita appears to be crafted for a bygone era.

Back then, gender roles were extremely inflexible. There were only two archetypes of women.

On one hand, there were men who lacked the confidence or self-esteem to assert their rightful position in society.

On the other hand, women often married as a means to secure their place in the social hierarchy.

This book delicately explores the subtleties of these gender-specific roles, highlighting the constraints and expectations that defined the lives of individuals during that time.

It offers a fascinating glimpse into a world where love and personal identity were shaped by the rigid boundaries of gender.

The relationship between the composer and Rita unfolds against this backdrop, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative.

As the story progresses, we witness how their love challenges the traditional gender norms and forces them to question their own identities and desires.

Overall, this book provides a thought-provoking exploration of gender, love, and society in a time when things were very different from what they are today.

The prose was truly enjoyable, and the reading experience was seamless. I found the first part, which vividly described his childhood in Habana, his family life, and his journey of learning music, to be particularly engaging.

However, after he composes "Rosas Puras", the novel takes a turn for the worse. It becomes highly repetitive as he travels to various cities, indulges in drinking, playing, and sleeping around,陷入循环. His indecision and the monotonous nature of his middle life were rather boring, especially with all the mentions of his "majestic virility". The plot only experiences a slight change when the Nazis enter the scene, but this aspect is not explored in-depth either.

There were certain moments when I had the impression that Israel and the song actually existed. However, the fact that he encounters every single artist and historical figure of that era convinced me that it was all fictional. The author mentions in his "Author's Note" that he was inspired by the life of a real Cuban composer and his persecution in Europe. I find this curious because his life under the Nazis is barely explored. I understand that the author didn't want to create a story similar to "The Pianist" movie, but if it's just a "fade into black", then the essence is lost.

I believe the problem lies in the fact that the novel is almost a biographical portrayal of Israel's life in chronological order, yet it lacks a central theme. It could have effortlessly delved into various aspects such as the construction of identity, how music is commodified and sold as an exotic cultural aspect, race as a social construct, life as an immigrant, and the rapid changes in the world and Cuba. However, it seems that this was not the author's intention.

Regarding the edition, several accents and translations of Spanish were rather strange, and there were also some typographical errors.

Not since I delved into Andre Dubus' "House of Sand and Fog" have I wept so profusely at the conclusion of a novel. This literary work is truly of the first rate. The story weaves a complex and heart-wrenching narrative that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. The characters are vividly drawn, and their struggles and emotions are palpable. The ending, in particular, is a masterstroke that leaves a lasting impact. It is a story that explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition with great depth and sensitivity. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.

It is highly likely that no one holds a greater admiration for Oscar Hijuelos' "The Mambo Kings Sing Songs of Love" than I do.

In "Mambo Kings", Hijuelos crafted what I consider to be my favorite type of novel. It is one that delves deep into a community, creating a profound and resonant exploration. The narrative within it flows with an irresistible force that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

However, his subsequent works, while some may have their own admirable qualities, simply haven't reached the same level. "A Simple Habana Melody" almost seems like Hijuelos' attempt to recapture the magic of his earlier success.

Once again, we have an aging musician living in exile. The haunting melody written for a lost love is a recurring theme, as is the lost love herself. Israel Levis inhabits an earlier Cuba than the Mambo Kings. The oppression that forces him to leave his country comes from the Machado presidency, not the Castro regime, and he ultimately ends up in France, rather than New York.

The "beautiful Maria" of Levis' life is Rita Valladares, a singing and dancing star (and at times a rival to Josephine Baker - Hijuelos perhaps lays on the famous cameos a bit too thickly in this work). Valladares actually comes across as having the greatest vitality of any character in the novel. In comparison, the character of Levis seems rather pallid and diffident, despite the gastronomic and erotic appetites that Hijuelos attributes to him. In fact, he is most interesting early in the novel, as a shrunken man returning from a camp, after the Nazis have decided, perhaps accurately, that he has a Jewish heritage. Additionally, the language at times becomes overly heated, especially during the repetitive sex scenes.

Overall, while "A Simple Habana Melody" has its moments, it doesn't quite measure up to the brilliance of "The Mambo Kings Sing Songs of Love".

The BEST book I have ever read in my life is truly a masterpiece.

It offers a perfect and unfaultable description of the Habana of the past, transporting the readers back in time.

The story beautifully weaves together the themes of family ties, love, and the trials of life.

It delves deep into the relationships within a family, showing both the strengths and the weaknesses.

The love portrayed in the book is not just the romantic kind but also the love between family members, friends, and even the love for one's city.

The trials of life that the characters face are real and relatable, making the readers empathize with them.

This book is not just a story but a journey that takes the readers through different emotions and experiences.

It leaves a lasting impression on the mind and heart of the readers, making them reflect on their own lives and relationships.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story and wants to experience the beauty and charm of Habana of the past.

Bravo!

What an exquisitely written novel it is, and what a wonderful tribute to a great composer! I truly relished every moment of reading this one.

It was such a delight to be able to transport myself to Havana, Cuba and Paris, France during the interwar period.

I could easily identify with the protagonist, an apolitical artist who has a great penchant for sensual pleasures.

Israel Levis is depicted as "rotund", and he has a deep love for his music, his food, his drink, and beautiful women, especially Rita Valladares, the woman he secretly adores.

This book encompasses a love story, a coming of age story, a story about faith, art, and the often harsh nature of the human condition.

As I read this, I experienced a whole gamut of emotions.

Especially when seeing Levis as an old man, a mere shadow of his former, corpulent self after narrowly escaping death at Buchenwald.

Even though this book was sometimes sad, it was so filled with hope, beauty, and triumph.

I can't believe I let it sit on my bookshelf for years before finally picking it up.

I wholeheartedly recommend this one.

Don't hesitate to read A Simple Havana Melody.

I quite enjoyed it in the end, although it was rather dull through the middle part. In fact, it could have been a hundred pages shorter. Some of the chapters seemed completely pointless and didn't contribute anything to the overall story. It was really quite frustrating. And seriously, how many times do we need to be informed about his giant lad and his attraction to men? I understood the point the very first time it was mentioned. It felt like it was being repeated over and over again just for the sake of it. This excessive emphasis on certain aspects detracted from the otherwise interesting plot. However, despite these flaws, I still managed to find some enjoyment in the book towards the end. The conclusion was somewhat satisfying and tied up most of the loose ends. Overall, it was an okay read, but it definitely had room for improvement.

This book was truly so extremely boring.

The main character was someone I really hated.

The story just seemed to drag on and on, and it felt like it went on about 100 pages longer than it should have.

I found myself constantly looking at the page number, hoping it would end soon.

There was nothing interesting or engaging about it.

The plot was dull, and the characters were not developed well.

I really wouldn't recommend this book at all.

If you're looking for a good read, this is definitely not the one to choose.

You'll be better off spending your time on something else that can actually capture your attention and make you enjoy the reading experience.

I was in public when tears welled up in my eyes. The reason? I had just completed this unbearably beautiful book. It was truly a masterpiece that touched my heart deeply.

Every page was filled with such vivid descriptions and powerful emotions that it felt as if I was living through the story myself. The characters were so well-developed that I couldn't help but become attached to them.

From the very first sentence, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. It took me on a journey of love, loss, hope, and redemption. And when I reached the end, I was left with a sense of both satisfaction and sadness that it was over.

This book will undoubtedly remain on my favorites list forever. It is a work of art that I will cherish and recommend to others without hesitation.

It took me a considerable amount of time to read this book, as I had to consume it bit by bit.

The beginning of the book is indeed very easy to read and captivating. It draws the reader in with its engaging narrative.

Subsequently, it transitions into what appears to me, at least, as a kind of song structure. There is a verse that details something new taking place, and then there is the chorus which consists of repetitive reminders. These reminders include the song which Israel wrote, the performer for whom he composed it, his activities in bars and brothels, an air of homosexuality, his love for his mother, and portraits of pre and post WWII Cuba.

I firmly believe that Oscar Hijuelos is exceptionally talented. However, I concur that this book is not suitable for the casual reader. It requires a certain level of dedication and attention to fully appreciate and understand the depth and complexity of the story.

Despite the presence of countless wonderful descriptive passages that vividly captured the setting and character in Cuba, France, Spain, and a host of other cities and countries, the core of Hijuelos's novel fell flat for me in many ways.

The repressed pianist and composer Israel Levis, with his Oedipal yearning for his mother, is not truly torn between the life of the artist/aesthete and the drunken, sexually conflicted, grossly overweight man. Instead, he flops between both selves with seemingly little problem until, at the age of 57, he finds himself in Buchenwald for nearly two years. It's a case of the wrong name, wrong place, wrong associates. Although he is supposedly a devout Catholic, his yearning for purity battles with his carnal selves.

Was the fictional Israel just a one-trick guy, known only for the ubiquitous "Rosas Puras" that his life-long "love," Rita Valladeres, popularized all over the world for decades? Was he truly "important"? Was he worthy - of his mother, his Christ, his loves, his compadres, his fans?

Certainly, this is a novel worth reading, but don't expect a smooth melody. It has its flaws and rough edges that make it a more complex and perhaps less satisfying read than one might initially hope for.

This is a remarkable Cuban novel that is populated by real individuals from the worlds of music, art, and history.

The protagonist, Israel Lewis, stands at the very center of the story. He is not only a complex and interesting character but also the composer of the renowned piece "Rosas Puras."

This novel delves into the details of his quiet and yet difficult life. It takes us to a specific time and place that is truly fascinating. We get to witness the challenges he faces, the relationships he forms, and the inner turmoil he experiences.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish, offering a unique perspective on Cuban culture and the lives of those who inhabit this vibrant land.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of art, music, and history through the lens of a captivating novel.