Padura finds himself grappling with his complex feelings toward Hemingway as he pens a mystery. In this story, his conscience-in-chief, the ex-cop detective Conde, also wrestles with his own emotions regarding Mr. H.

There is a great back and forth in the book. It alternates between the past, where H is being his Papa self and Conde is engaged in detecting. At one point, Conde even wears Ava Gardner's tired old panties on his head - is this a spoiler?

Meanwhile, there are scenes of rum drinking, which serve as another ode to his friendships with his long-term comrades. These friendships add depth and nuance to the story, as they are intertwined with the mystery and the characters' inner turmoil.

Padura's exploration of these relationships and emotions makes for a captivating read, as we follow the characters' journey through their struggles and self-discovery.

I read it at the wrong time.

This simple statement holds a certain amount of significance. Maybe it was a book, an article, or an important message that I came across when it wasn't the most opportune moment.

It could have been that I was preoccupied with other things, or perhaps I was in a hurry and didn't give it the proper attention it deserved.

Reading something at the wrong time can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or a lack of full comprehension.

However, it can also serve as a reminder to be more mindful of our reading habits and to make sure we set aside the appropriate time and mental space to truly engage with the material.

In the end, even though I read it at the wrong time, it may still have had an impact on me in some way, and I can use this experience to improve my future reading endeavors.

Excellent! This is a truly remarkable piece that offers a fast and engaging read.

The structure of alternating chapters is a brilliant choice. It keeps the reader constantly intrigued and eager to turn the page to discover what lies ahead in the next chapter.

Each chapter seems to build upon the previous one, creating a seamless flow of ideas and a sense of progression. The author's use of this structure allows for a diverse range of perspectives and storylines to be presented, adding depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

Whether it's the development of the characters, the exploration of different themes, or the unfolding of the plot, the alternating chapters keep everything fresh and exciting.

Overall, this is a highly enjoyable read that showcases the author's skill in crafting a captivating story with a unique and effective structure.

Might be because I'm on a Hemingway kick right now, but I really liked this. Hemingway's writing style is so unique and captivating. His简洁的 language and powerful descriptions have a way of drawing the reader in and making them feel as if they are right there in the story. It's like he has a magic touch that makes even the simplest of scenes come alive.

Maybe it's the way he portrays his characters, with their flaws and strengths, that makes them so relatable. Or perhaps it's the themes he explores, such as love, loss, and the human condition. Whatever it is, I can't get enough of his work.

Right now, I'm devouring everything he's written, from his novels to his short stories. Each one is a gem, filled with wisdom and insight. I feel like I'm learning something new about life and about myself with every page I turn. It's truly a wonderful experience, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this Hemingway kick takes me next.

The original article:

The Importance of Recycling

Recycling is crucial for several reasons. It helps to conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and minimize waste. By recycling materials such as paper, plastic, and metal, we can prevent them from ending up in landfills and incinerators. This not only saves space but also reduces the environmental impact of waste disposal. Additionally, recycling can create jobs and stimulate the economy. It is a simple yet effective way to make a positive difference in the world.

Expanded article:

The Importance of Recycling

Recycling holds significant importance for numerous reasons. Firstly, it plays a vital role in conserving our precious natural resources. By recycling materials like paper, we can reduce the need to cut down more trees, thereby preserving forests and their habitats.

Secondly, recycling helps to reduce energy consumption. The process of manufacturing new products from recycled materials often requires less energy compared to using virgin materials.

Moreover, recycling minimizes waste. When we recycle paper, plastic, and metal, we prevent these materials from clogging up landfills and being burned in incinerators. This not only saves valuable landfill space but also reduces the harmful emissions and pollutants associated with waste disposal.

In addition to the environmental benefits, recycling can also have a positive impact on the economy. It creates jobs in the recycling industry, from collection and sorting to processing and manufacturing.

Overall, recycling is a simple yet highly effective way to make a positive difference in the world. It is a responsibility that we all share to protect our environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

By making a conscious effort to recycle, we can contribute to a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous world.

A corpse, a sphere from the beloved submachine gun of Ernest Miller Hemingway, and an FBI mark signal the return of Lieutenant Mario Conte to active duty.

For this reason, and also because of the parallel story of the last days of Hemingway in Havana (told through the hands of Padoura and this has its significance), the journey is worth more than the above.

The corpse presents a mystery that needs to be solved, perhaps related to Hemingway's final days. The sphere from his submachine gun adds an element of intrigue and danger. And the FBI mark implies that there are deeper forces at play.

Lieutenant Conte, now back in action, must navigate through this web of clues and secrets. His investigation will not only uncover the truth behind the corpse but also shed light on Hemingway's complex life and the events that led to his demise.

As he delves deeper into the case, Conte will encounter various characters and face numerous challenges. But with his determination and skills, he is ready to take on whatever comes his way and bring the truth to light.

I think that as Count, I simply enjoy literature without greater expectations. It is there to be savored, to feel the smell of its characters, to travel to places through a gaze.... By reading Padura, I could feel myself in Cojimar, miss Conejo and Carlos, and live their Cuba, cheer up and feel down with Count, imagine the heat, his sweat and the taste of rum... See you soon Padura.

Literature has a magical power that allows us to enter different worlds and experience a wide range of emotions. When we read, we can become part of the story, identifying with the characters and sharing their joys and sorrows. It is like opening a door to a new dimension, where our imagination can run wild.

Padura's works are a prime example of this. His writing is so vivid and descriptive that it makes us feel as if we are actually there, in the midst of the action. We can smell the sea breeze, taste the local cuisine, and feel the passion and struggle of the people.

In conclusion, reading is a wonderful way to escape from reality and explore new horizons. It enriches our lives and broadens our perspectives. So, let's continue to read and enjoy the beauty and power of literature.

You've got to be a die-hard Hemingway fanboy to be satisfied with the meager offerings of this slight novella. Padura attempts to imitate some of Hemingway's macho posturings and the leitmotifs and semiotics that are scattered throughout E.H.'s extensive body of work.

To a certain extent, it works, and one can become submerged in the humid atmosphere of Havana. However, for the most part, the oblique narrative comes across as strangely wooden.

The level of intrigue remains rather ordinary, and despite a promising beginning, the author ultimately fails to land the big fish on the hook.

It seems that Padura was perhaps too focused on emulating Hemingway's style rather than developing a unique and engaging story of his own. As a result, the novella falls short of expectations and leaves the reader feeling somewhat disappointed.

Overall, while there are some interesting elements to be found in this work, it ultimately fails to make a lasting impression.

„Eigentlich hatte alles genauso angefangen, genau hier, mit dem Blick aufs Meer, unter diesen Kasuarien, inmitten genau dieser ewigen Gerüche, an jenem Tag im Jahre 1960, als er Ernest Hemingway begegnet war.“ (Zitat Seite 10)

Eight years have passed since Mario Conde left the criminal police. He writes or at least tries to, and deals with old books. „However, on this morning, his former colleague Manuel Palacios had called him and served him the story of the corpse that had been found on the Finca Vigía on a silver platter.“ (Zitat Seite 17) Storm damage uncovered a skeleton, a man murdered forty years ago on Hemingway's then residence and with bullets from Hemingway's legendary weapons. Here, El Conde's sense of smell and his discretion are required and he immediately agrees to take on the case. After a downpour, a rusty lead plaque with the well-known coat of arms and three letters is also found. Has Hemingway...? El Conde still doesn't want to believe it, but he absolutely wants to find out what happened back then.

Theme and Genre
In this crime novel, it's about Cuba, the joy of life despite the economic crisis, and Ernest Hemingway, whose stories and myths are still present in Cuba.

Characters
For El Conde, the most important things in life are friendship, coffee, cigarettes, rum, women, music, and literature. He also holds firmly to his dream of one day living as a writer in that wooden house by the sea.

Narrative Form and Language
This time, there are two stories told in this crime novel. We follow Mario Conde chronologically during the day through his intense research with Lieutenant Manuel Palacios, and through the intense nights with his friends. The second story takes us back to the first days of October 1958, to Ernest Hemingway and his Finca La Vigía near Havana. So as readers, with our knowledge, we sometimes get ahead of El Conde's research, yet here too, the events are described in a chronological sequence, so the plot remains exciting throughout and leaves plenty of room for our own considerations. Even though it's a novel, this story is closely and skillfully intertwined with the known facts from Hemingway's life, a perfect mixture in which Padura also critically engages with the famous writer Hemingway.

Conclusion
An exciting and interesting literary crime novel from Cuba, with the ex-policeman Mario Conde and the writer Ernst Hemingway at its center.

I'd give it 3 1/2 stars if that were an option.

I really liked this book. However, I had to read some of it aloud to truly understand what was happening. I suspect it might have been more straightforward to read if I had read it in Spanish, which I believe is the original language it was written in. But my Spanish is rather poor these days, and I would have missed out on a great deal.

I have a great love for the mystery within the story and the shifting viewpoints. Nevertheless, I have no clue what the overall point of the novel was. I don't know what the protagonist learned at the end, except that our heroes often fall from grace and sometimes we are extremely wrong.

I'm not a die-hard Hemingway fan, but the use of him as a kind of character piqued my interest in his life, especially those final years, particularly those spent in Cuba. It was a good read, an interesting mystery, but everything was neatly tied up. In the end, nothing truly significant seemed to have happened.

This book is not my favorite work by this author, but it is still a good read.

The story has its own charm and吸引力. Although it may not have reached the level of my absolute favorite, it still managed to hold my attention throughout.

One aspect that I really liked was the ending. It was unexpected and yet, in a strange way, satisfying. It tied up the loose ends of the story in a way that made me feel a sense of closure.

The author's writing style is also quite engaging. The descriptions are vivid and the characters are well-developed.

Overall, while this may not be my top pick from this author, it is definitely a book that I would recommend to others who enjoy reading. It has its flaws, but it also has its strengths, and it is worth giving a chance.

Mi primer libro sobre el gran Mario Conde, el detective devenido a menos, es realmente fascinante.

Como todo gran personaje principal de una novela policial, él tiene una pasión por la literatura y anhela ser un escritor, con la viva imagen de Hemingway como inspiración.

La aparición de un cuerpo en la finca que el escritor estadounidense tenía en Cuba plantea una serie de interrogantes: ¿asesinato? Si lo fue, ¿habrá sido el mismo escritor?

Esta es la premisa de esta pequeña novela de Padura, que se lee a una velocidad asombrosa. Te entretiene y te sumerge en la maravillosa Habana.

Es una gran lectura para las tardes calurosas. Además, las conversaciones en la novela son muy interesantes.

Por ejemplo, la discusión sobre la muerte de Hemingway y la idea de que uno podía vivir en Cuba sin haber leído a sus escritores.

Además, la sugerencia de que Mario Conde se olvide de la historia y se dedique a escribir para convertirse en un verdadero escritor es también muy intrigante.

En general, este libro es una joya literaria que merece ser leído.