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STARRED PW REVIEW. "Dressed in the grungy trappings of a crime drama, this literary tour-de-force from Padura offers a colourful cultural history of Cuba and the island’s historical contact with Europe that helped to shape its people’s religious beliefs."
"A grandiose novel of social and magical realism." Wall Street Journal
In this solid spin-off from Cuban author Pedro’s Havana Quartet, police detective Mario Conde investigates the 1989 murder of 73-year-old Pedro Cuang, a dry cleaner, in Havana’s Chinatown. Fans of the Havana Quartet will welcome Conde’s return. Publishers Weekly
How nice it is to watch a high-powered talent at work on a form that too often relies on flat-footed prose. Booklist
Padura on his very best form. Once again, we have Padura’a irresistible combination of quirky storytelling and a vivid evocation of the city of Havana –the translation by Peter Bush does full justice to the novel, which was inspired by the author’s work as a journalist when investigating the history of Havana’s Barrio Chino. ELN Barry Forshaw
The intensive, richly detailed narrative is at once a portrait of Daniel’s Cuban upbringing, a meditation on anti-Semitism, and an intriguing account of the painting. Highly recommended. Library Journal
This is a major novel and a testament to Padura’s stature as a writer. Booklist
