Adiós, Hemingway by leonardo padura

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I always think the same thing, and I believe I also say it: I don't give a damn about what happens in the novel (the black part), because what I'm looking for with the Condesito is for him to talk to me about Cuba, and he always ends up enchanting me.

Of course, that the winds bring me the bottle, from island to island, with the gift inside...

Either I've been caught feeling nostalgic or maybe it's the best novel (such a short one...!) by the Count of Padura.

It's true that sometimes I find myself lost in thought, pondering over the words and the images that the author creates.

The descriptions of Cuba, its people, and its culture are so vivid that they seem to come alive right before my eyes.

Even though the story might have its darker moments, it's the overall charm and the essence of Cuba that shine through.

And that's what keeps me coming back for more, eager to explore every page and discover new secrets about this beautiful island.

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BirdBird

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Hace tiempo tenía pendiente leer algo de Padura. Esta vez, decidí darle una oportunidad. Y no me arrepiento. Aunque este libro no sea inolvidable en el sentido tradicional, me ha presentado a un autor del que he disfrutado muchísimo su forma de escribir.

Padura tiene una habilidad única para crear personajes y entornos que te enganchan desde el primer momento. Su prosa es fluida y envolvente, y logra transmitir emociones y ideas de una manera muy efectiva.

Después de leer este libro, estoy deseando seguir leyendo más de Padura. Quiero descubrir más de sus historias, conocer a sus personajes y sumergirme en sus mundos creados. Creo que hay mucho más por explorar y disfrutar en su obra literaria.

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shinigami025

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Aight. As far as Cuban writers go, I'll stick with Carpentier.

Carpentier is a remarkable figure in the world of literature. His works are not only rich in vivid descriptions and engaging storylines but also deeply rooted in the culture and history of Cuba.

His writing style is unique, blending elements of magic realism with a profound understanding of human nature. Through his novels and short stories, he takes readers on a journey through the diverse landscapes and experiences of Cuba.

One of the things that makes Carpentier stand out is his ability to bring the past to life. He weaves historical events and figures into his narratives, making them accessible and relevant to modern readers.

In conclusion, when it comes to Cuban writers, Carpentier is a name that cannot be ignored. His works are a testament to the power of literature to capture the essence of a place and its people.

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mattx017

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

The original article seems to be rather short and lacking in specific content. However, I will do my best to rewrite and expand it based on the given information.

**Title: A Review of Something**

I recently had the opportunity to experience something, and I must say it was an interesting encounter.

The overall quality of this thing can be rated as 3.5 out of 5. There were definitely some aspects that stood out and impressed me.

For example, the design was quite sleek and modern, which gave it an appealing look. The functionality was also decent, although there were a few areas where it could be improved.

One thing that I noticed was that the user interface could be more intuitive. It took me a little while to figure out how to use some of the features.

Additionally, the performance could be enhanced further. There were times when it lagged slightly, especially when handling multiple tasks simultaneously.

Despite these drawbacks, I still think that this thing has a lot of potential. With some improvements in the areas mentioned above, it could easily reach a higher rating.

Overall, I would recommend it to others who are looking for something in this category, but I would also suggest that they keep in mind the areas where it could be better.

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takudoti

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

This book, in comparison to the other Conde/Padura books I've read, was somewhat of a letdown. What I believe drags this book down is the burden of the other Conde books. I think this is the sixth novel with him as the protagonist. There are so many references to other parts of the series that it diverted my attention from the Hemingway narrative. What was so poignant about Vientos de Cuaresma, the only other Conde novel I've read so far, is the sense of betrayal and unfulfilled promises by the Cuban Revolution. The idiosyncrasies and problems of Conde and his cronies all stem from not meeting the expectations of Che's imagined men of the future, or not even having been given the opportunity to try. Since the Hemingway narrative is at the core of Adiós Hemingway, all the time spent referring to Conde's extra-professional affairs seemed unnecessary to me. Although the final scene is touching. I might have preferred to learn more about the Cuban Hemingway Society or about the FBI's work in Cuba during the 1950s rather than hear El Flaco, who is no longer flaco, tell Conde that he's a writer and not a cop or book seller. Even Josefina's kitchen does not receive the mouthwatering descriptions it deserves in other books.

That being said, I truly enjoyed the Hemingway sections. I liked learning about the writer's life in and around Cuba, and his legacy among the fishermen. I think that La novela de mi vida, published a couple of years before Adiós Hemingway, is a much better read. Both books weave storylines from the past and present together, but La novela de mi vida is not weighed down by the Conde universe.

Padura is still one of my favorite authors. This is just not his strongest work. This work was followed a few years later by El hombre que amaba a los perros, which is an amazing work. So obviously Padura didn't lose his touch or anything. I would probably just direct people curious about Padura's writing in another direction.

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Messi

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

A recent article in NY Times Magazine about this novel's Cuban author truly piqued my curiosity. Padura Fuentes, a life-long resident of Cuba, has managed to gain an international following. He walks a fine line between officially approved publication and the unofficial realm.

His police detective, Mario Conde, is a man who has been toughened by his experiences on the harsh streets of Havana. He has witnessed the aftermath of the revolución in Castro’s Cuba, which is now facing challenges with the end of Soviet support. Mario is not proud of himself as a cop and has plunged deep into disillusionment. What sustains him are the times he spends drinking with old friends and his aspiration to be a writer. In fact, writing and living in poverty seem to be the only honorable ways for him to utilize his energy and intelligence.

For a more in-depth look at this, read my review at my blog.

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AztechDan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Each time there are fewer police officers and more and more writers. It is a short novel with less depth in the characters. Basically, it is an introspection of Mario Conde and an approximation to the life of Hemingway in Cuba, trying to make him more of a person and less of a myth.

The narrative quality is very good. It has a slow but interesting rhythm, and it is an easy read. However, the suspense of the thriller disappears and the ending is a bit predictable. I suppose the author tried more to pay tribute to Hemingway than to write a detective novel.

Perhaps the author was more interested in exploring the themes related to Hemingway's life and the Cuban context rather than focusing on creating a traditional police thriller. Nevertheless, the novel still offers some interesting insights and a pleasant reading experience.

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MeleeWaluigi

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I am highly confident that Padura's novel would serve as an excellent introduction to Cuban culture.

It achieves this through its masterful use of the sort of Cuban vernacular, both in language and thought, which is bound to be adored by anyone studying Spanish.

Deseos, hemingwayanismo, and humor are all prominent and inescapable Cuban themes that the novel presents in a truly wonderful manner.

The presence of deseos, or wishes, is evident in the retrospective dialogue. It can be seen in the conversations of the servants-turned-family under Hemingway, as well as in the constant self-doubt of ex-detective Mario Conde. Conde is on a quest to uncover the truth behind what happened to Hemingway over 40 years ago, which led to his departure from Cuba.

After the adolescent Conde briefly met Hemingway during a fishing getaway with his grandfather years ago, he regarded the American author as an inspiration for his own fledgling literary career, which he now focuses on intently.

The "hemingwayanos cubanos" that Conde associates himself with are simply Cubans who have read Hemingway's work. However, the term could also be used to label Hemingway's workers in his home of Finca Vigía during his time in Cuba.

After being investigated by Conde, these Cubans who reverentially called Hemingway "Papa" admired the writer not only for what he gave them monetarily and affectionately but also artistically. This is extremely crucial for understanding current Americans-in-Cuba and how Hemingway's presence in the country remains distinct and perhaps somewhat misunderstood.

Humor, which is present in perhaps too many interactions within Cuba, is also present throughout the entire murder mystery. I would rather let you read and discover it for yourself. The imagery of the final scene alone is more than worth reading the entire novel.

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Coleção Literatura ou Morte #8

Adiós, Hemingway

leonardo padura john king

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Mario Conde

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leonardo padura

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