Leslie Zemeckis's Blog - Posts Tagged "rum"
Havana Nocture
T.J. English's absorbing well researched book is as satisfying as a Rum Mob:
1 parts coconut milk
1 part rum
generously squeeze lime
and fresh grated ginger
pour over ice and enjoy learning about Cuba and how the mob infiltrated the tiny island 90 miles from Florida. The book is well-written and researched with Sinatra, the razzle-dazzle scheme that led tourists to lose fortunes, to prostitutes, showgirls and world class nightclubs like the Tropicana. And the mob was everywhere. The book chronicles the rise of Castro and the fall of Batista, the corruption and the seedy side of life. Its a sexy book, an informative book, an excellent book with an excellent rum punch!I was thrilled at the mention (small) of Harold Minsky and knew of the places some of my burlesquers played at. English brings this era to life.
1 parts coconut milk
1 part rum
generously squeeze lime
and fresh grated ginger
pour over ice and enjoy learning about Cuba and how the mob infiltrated the tiny island 90 miles from Florida. The book is well-written and researched with Sinatra, the razzle-dazzle scheme that led tourists to lose fortunes, to prostitutes, showgirls and world class nightclubs like the Tropicana. And the mob was everywhere. The book chronicles the rise of Castro and the fall of Batista, the corruption and the seedy side of life. Its a sexy book, an informative book, an excellent book with an excellent rum punch!I was thrilled at the mention (small) of Harold Minsky and knew of the places some of my burlesquers played at. English brings this era to life.
In the Time of the Butterfles
Rum, coke, dash of pineapple and squeeze of lime - pour over a tall glass of ice and enjoy Julia Alvarez's amazing novel about the Mirabal sisters.
Told from each of the four sisters points of view - all the while knowing the tragic outcome is toe-gripping "good fun", if one can call the "three butterflies" ending "fun". My favorite quote of Alvarez' is actually in her acknowledgement where she champions readers. "A novel is . . . a way to travel through the human heart." As Alvarez does skillfully. She teaches us that simple acts of courage by "simple" ordinary people can and do - and did in this case - make a difference, bringing the dreadful Trujillo regime to its end.
Told from each of the four sisters points of view - all the while knowing the tragic outcome is toe-gripping "good fun", if one can call the "three butterflies" ending "fun". My favorite quote of Alvarez' is actually in her acknowledgement where she champions readers. "A novel is . . . a way to travel through the human heart." As Alvarez does skillfully. She teaches us that simple acts of courage by "simple" ordinary people can and do - and did in this case - make a difference, bringing the dreadful Trujillo regime to its end.
