Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
29(29%)
3 stars
38(38%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews
July 14,2025
... Show More
In the first half, it is a truly terrible book. The characterizations are clumsy, and the dialogues are dull. The exposition is long-winded, and there are loose plot threads that only come together in the second part of the mystery to form a rather exciting parallel story. However, this construction and its final merging remain completely conventional, unambiguous, and stylistically flat. Cuba and Hemingway seem more like templates than real entities, which is why the book leaves a rather hollow aftertaste.

I would like to draw a veil of silence over the linguistic atrocities in the sexual scenes of the novel.
July 14,2025
... Show More
For a detailed Hebrew review, the link to my blog -



https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/אדיו...

This blog post offers a comprehensive look at a particular subject in Hebrew. It provides in-depth analysis and insights that are sure to engage readers. The link takes you directly to the relevant page on my blog, where you can explore the review further. Whether you're a native Hebrew speaker or someone interested in learning more about the topic, this resource is worth checking out. So, click on the link and embark on a journey of discovery through the words and ideas presented in the review.
July 14,2025
... Show More

With a short but entertaining plot, we delight in what could have been the Hemingway myth in Cuba and his already popular and controversial figure. Mario Conde reminds me of the contemporary literary detective, like Zurdo Mendieta from Elmer Mendoza, a drunk, womanizing, nostalgic detective but with a sense of justice that we still hope exists in the people of our continent.


The story takes us on a journey through the streets of Cuba, where we encounter the colorful characters and the rich history that Hemingway so loved. We see how Mario Conde navigates the complex web of relationships and mysteries that surround him, using his wits and his intuition to solve the cases that come his way.


Despite his flaws, Mario Conde is a likable character, and we find ourselves rooting for him as he tries to make sense of the world around him. His adventures are both exciting and thought-provoking, and they leave us with a deeper understanding of the Cuban culture and the people who inhabit it.

July 14,2025
... Show More
This was the first book that I read from this author. I was completely captivated.

He/She is one of my favorite writers. I read it some years ago.

I will have to re-read it.

It's truly a remarkable piece of work. The story was engaging from the very beginning, and the characters were so well-developed that I felt as if I knew them personally.

The author's writing style is unique and captivating, making it a pleasure to read.

I remember being so immersed in the book that I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.

Even after all these years, the memory of that reading experience still lingers in my mind.

I'm really looking forward to re-reading this book and rediscovering all the wonderful details that I may have missed the first time around.
July 14,2025
... Show More
Very, very haunting.

This phrase immediately evokes a sense of mystery and an almost palpable presence that lingers in the mind. It makes one wonder what exactly is so haunting.

Perhaps it is a place, with its eerie silence and abandoned buildings, that seems to hold secrets from the past. Or maybe it is a memory, a moment that refuses to fade away, constantly resurfacing and leaving an indelible mark.

The word "haunting" implies a certain power, an ability to grip our emotions and imagination. It can be both thrilling and a little bit terrifying.

When something is very, very haunting, it has the capacity to stay with us long after we have encountered it. It may continue to influence our thoughts and feelings, shaping our perception of the world around us.

Whether it is a work of art, a story, or a real-life experience, the very, very haunting has a way of captivating us and making us feel a connection to something deeper and more profound.
July 14,2025
... Show More

Mario Conde, who retired from the police force to become a writer, gets a call from his friends still on the force to help investigate a 40-year-old murder. The body is found at Finca Vigia, and the murder suspect is Ernest Hemingway. To make matters more complicated, an FBI badge is found with the skeletal remains. Conde has a complicated relationship with Hemingway, having revered him in his youth and now loathing him. However, as he investigates, his true feelings start to vacillate. The book, written by Leonardo Padura Fuentes, effortlessly slides between Hemingway's mind in 1958 and Conde's present investigation. Conde's gut is telling him the truth, but he knows he needs more than that to close the case. I, Jeffrey, a bibliophile like Conde, have followed his cases and share his love for books. Conde is not only solving an old case but also coming to terms with his feelings about Hemingway. The Vigia house, with its collection of books, paintings, and hunting trophies, represents Hemingway's complex character. Conde can't deny the positive influence Hemingway had on his life, but he also can't ignore the offensive aspects. If you want to read more of my book and movie reviews, visit my website at http://www.jeffreykeeten.com.

July 14,2025
... Show More
Hemingway's Cuba is truly fascinating. He was an interesting and controversial character, and I knew little about his way of being and seeing the world. Once again, Padura showcases his talent with a short novel that is very well-written and has a vocabulary that delights.

It's as if Padura has the ability to transport us to that Cuba of Hemingway's, to let us experience the emotions and atmosphere that surrounded the famous writer.

The story unfolds in a captivating way, drawing the reader in and making them eager to discover more about the relationship between Hemingway and Cuba.

With his masterful use of language, Padura brings this short novel to life, making it a joy to read and a memorable exploration of a bygone era.

Whether you're a fan of Hemingway or simply interested in a good story, this novel is definitely worth picking up.
July 14,2025
... Show More
The Bunny says that time passes, but I believe that this is a lie.

However, if by any chance it is the truth, I hope that you continue to love us over there, because there are things that cannot be lost. And if they are lost, then we have truly screwed up. We have lost almost everything, but we must save what we love.

It is late and we are completely drunk, because we are sitting and drinking rum at the Kochimar: the Kokkaliaris, who is no longer a Kokkaliaris, the Bunny, who is not a historian anymore, and I, who am no longer a policeman and still cannot write a simple and touching story. Truly simple and touching...

And you? What are you and what are you not? We send you a hug and another one for Che Guevara, if by any chance you see him anywhere over there, because now we are Cuban Che Guevara-ists. When you receive this message, send us back the bottle, but full.

(p. 188)
July 14,2025
... Show More
This is an absolutely brilliantly engaging novel. It tells the story of a retired Cuban detective who is called back into action to solve a forty-year-old murder. No one knew about this murder until a tropical storm unearthed a corpse on Hemingway's former property in Havana, the Finca Vigia, which is now a museum. Fuentes has written four other mysteries featuring Mario Conde. By resurrecting him here, he passes onto his fictional detective his own complex obsession with Hemingway. At first, it was a deep admiration, bordering on hero worship. But then, as he learned of his hero's worst excesses, especially his tendency to betray his friends and mentors, it turned into deep resentment.

The present time in the novel is 1998, but the events that bring the story to life took place at the beginning of October in 1958. At that time, Hemingway was losing his health and faculties. He was a wreck of a man, with his mind and body breaking down prematurely at an accelerating rate, all due to a life of recklessness, excessive drinking, eating, and violence. This novel, which is primarily an entertainment, is surprisingly redemptive and offers a wonderful gloss on Hemingway's final days. It is terse, no-nonsense, smart, and moving. I was so impressed by how expertly and thoughtfully this novel was done, yet it still has all the bite and flavor of a great genre novel. It is first rate, without a doubt. It made me eager to read more works by Fuentes and also re-read some of Hemingway's works.

Overall, this novel is a must-read for anyone interested in mysteries, Hemingway, or Cuban culture. It is a captivating and thought-provoking work that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
July 14,2025
... Show More
We have the following materials:

Our beloved hero, Conte, the office of Padoura and a mystery case

with a great writer as the protagonist. Truth, do you want something more?

Y. G. Look for the annual editions of Kastaniotis, you will find gems with a very nice aesthetic.

Let's expand on this.

We are presented with a rather interesting set of elements. There is our dear hero, Conte, who is sure to bring an air of excitement and adventure. Then there is the office of Padoura, which might hold many secrets and perhaps be the starting point of our mystery. The mystery case itself, with a great writer as the protagonist, adds an extra layer of intrigue. We can't help but wonder what kind of story will unfold.

And if that's not enough, Y. G. suggests looking for the annual editions of Kastaniotis. These editions are said to contain gems with a very nice aesthetic. It makes us curious to explore and discover what treasures lie within those pages.

All in all, this combination of elements has the potential to create a captivating and engaging narrative.
July 14,2025
... Show More
Leonardo Padura's books are increasingly appealing to me.

Although I have only read five parts of the police series about Mario Conde, I am fascinated by the descriptions of life in Cuba.

The author's love for his country and his disappointment with the socialist regime are palpable.

The books in this series are much more than just noir novels.

"Adiós, Hemingway" also delves into the final stage of Hemingway's life - a period marked by depression and paranoia.

The story is centered around a supposed murder that took place at Hemingway's estate in Cojímar.

However, once again, the important aspect is not the murder or the investigation, but rather the description of the (alleged) state of mind of the great writer and what might have led him to commit suicide.

Padura's writing style is engaging and his ability to bring the characters and settings to life is remarkable.

His works offer a unique perspective on Cuban society and the human condition.

I look forward to reading more of his books and exploring the rich world he has created.

July 14,2025
... Show More

¿Hemingway mató o no a un oficial del FBI? Esta es una pregunta intrigante que mantiene en vilo a los lectores. El detective Mario Conde se enfrenta a la difícil tarea de esclarecer todo el misterio que gira entorno a un cuerpo encontrado en el patio de la casa de Hemingway en Cuba. Se embarca en una búsqueda apasionante de la verdad, enfrentándose a numerosos obstáculos y pistas confusas.


Es una novela corta, pero no por ello menos impactante. Su estilo de escritura es simple y accesible, lo que la hace fácil de leer incluso para aquellos que no son grandes amantes de la literatura. Sin embargo, a pesar de su sencillez, tiene el poder de cautivar a cualquier tipo de lector, arrastrándolo a un mundo de intriga y suspenso.


A medida que el detective Conde se acerca más a la verdad, los lectores se encuentran sumidos en una trama llena de giros y vueltas, no sabiendo qué esperar a continuación. Esta novela es una verdadera joya para aquellos que disfrutan de los libros de misterio y que quieren sumergirse en una historia que los mantenga al borde de su asiento desde el principio hasta el final.

Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.