What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lazarus Rumba: A Novel
This extraordinarily ambitious novel sets out to portray the spiritual landscape of the Cuban people in the wake of Castro's revolutionary upheaval. Like Cervantes' Don Quixote, The Lazarus Rumba describes a country beset by social dislocation and personal confusion, a country whose soul is best captured by a lush magic realism woven from innumerable tales told in voices both melancholy and lively, lyrical and coarse, delicate and grotesque. As intensely political as Manuel Puig's Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Lazarus Rumba centers around three generations of woman in the Lucientes family and follows the story of Alicia Lucientes as, almost inadvertently, she becomes the most famous dissident on the island.
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
7 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 27, 2015
I admit, when it comes to magical realism, I can be somewhat of a snob. I compare everything to Marquez, which makes everything fail. I try not to do this, but I can't help it. Aside from Allende, this is the first book I've read that can be placed on the same level as One Hundred Years of Solitude. It's like a rich fabric of history; a tapestry that alternates between the truth of things that really happen and a flowing, magical perspective that navigates through the tragic stories of the people who lived that history.
I picked this book up at a thrift store YEARS and YEARS ago. I don't know why I waited so long so read it. My only complaint is that sometimes there are random untranslated sentences, and in some cases, whole paragraphs. Luckily, my sister-in-law is Cuban, which, I might add, made reading this even sweeter, and I will definitely pass this along to her to read, and she was able to translate those parts for me.
I picked this book up at a thrift store YEARS and YEARS ago. I don't know why I waited so long so read it. My only complaint is that sometimes there are random untranslated sentences, and in some cases, whole paragraphs. Luckily, my sister-in-law is Cuban, which, I might add, made reading this even sweeter, and I will definitely pass this along to her to read, and she was able to translate those parts for me.
August 10, 2022
It is quite hard to describe this book, let alone how I feel about it. The one thing I can say for sure is that it was a trip (of the acid variety). I was excited to run across a description of this book, as I really like Latin American magical realism, and here was one from a Cuban author talking about post-revolutionary life. I did not expect how very, very gay this book is. It should be noted, though, that “good representation” of anyone isn’t really what you should look for here. I couldn’t help thinking of some of the writing choices as being “pre-social-media edgelord” choices. Along with aspects that are confusingly dreamlike and aspects that are really dark – which readers of the genre would expect – some parts of this book are just gross. However, it is also clear that the whole thing is being deliberately transgressive, and I can respect and even enjoy that. Even when it is horrifying, though, the prose remains remarkably beautiful at the same time.
I have to admit, I didn’t connect much to Alicia, who the blurb claims is the main character, possibly because I don’t fully understand the choices she makes. However, we don’t actually spend that much time with her, and I really enjoyed some of the other perspective characters, particularly Triste and the gay rooster who possibly could raise the dead, and side characters. La Vieja is both an embodiment of my badass old lady goals and of the revolution as it should have been – which obviously means she doesn't survive to the end! However, she does go out in a fairly heroic manner. Héctor is more of a tragic figure. We learn early on that he is Alicia’s cousin and the father of her daughter (yeah, I know, but out of several incestuous pairings in this book, this is the one that wouldn’t have been considered weird!), and that he died in a “re-education” camp for gay men. As I hoped, the story does circle back around to him eventually, and we learn more about his rather traumatic childhood, his career in the circus, his long-term relationship with Triste, and the details of their imprisonment and Héctor’s death. That story that Triste tells in chapter 8 was published prior to the novel as a short story, and is probably one of the best and most heart-rending parts.
Regarding the representation thing… I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it initially, as there is more than one gay-and-predatory character in this. However, I think the author is trying to explore the range of M/M sexual encounters and perhaps how an environment that deems all of them equally deviant (unless it is about asserting power over a deviant - making you, paradoxically, more macho) makes love harder and might give some people an excuse to go “well, might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb, eh?”…but doesn’t entirely preclude joy. Those encounters that are truly wanted on both sides, where there is affection and trust, are written as playful and magically beautiful (though still “earthy”). In some of these cases, there is also a family member who understands and is protective - not a small thing, given the setting! Where there is an imbalance of age or power that would make proper consent impossible, it is clear from the framing that the perpetrator is seeking his own satisfaction, with any concern for the other’s pleasure being mainly to stroke his own ego. There is a somewhat melancholic air to these passages even if the victim doesn’t see himself as a victim; Sometimes there is also another character who clearly thinks that what happened wasn’t right. Appropriately, the cases where the victim has no agency at all are downright nightmarish!
Besides the content warnings that should already be obvious (homophobia, rape, incest, pedophilia), let me add: police brutality, torture, suicide, death of animals, body horror, and just a whole bunch of every bodily fluid imaginable. I would therefore not recommend this book to everyone; if you think you might be interested but are unsure, maybe see how you fare with 'The House of the Spirits'. It also needs a list of similar content warnings - including spousal abuse - but doesn't have suicide, actually-carried-out incest or pedophilia, or shocking animal deaths, and the descriptions are just generally less...involved. I tend to recommend that one as a place to start with the more politically realistic side of magical realism because I read it when I was 15 and did have a couple of nightmares, but also decided I wanted more! A much gentler starting place is 'Wild Beauty'...but that wouldn't be sufficient preparation for this novel at all!
To get into the political side and some of the other themes…I’ll have to think a bit longer before I post my full blog review!
I have to admit, I didn’t connect much to Alicia, who the blurb claims is the main character, possibly because I don’t fully understand the choices she makes. However, we don’t actually spend that much time with her, and I really enjoyed some of the other perspective characters, particularly Triste and the gay rooster who possibly could raise the dead, and side characters. La Vieja is both an embodiment of my badass old lady goals and of the revolution as it should have been – which obviously means she doesn't survive to the end! However, she does go out in a fairly heroic manner. Héctor is more of a tragic figure. We learn early on that he is Alicia’s cousin and the father of her daughter (yeah, I know, but out of several incestuous pairings in this book, this is the one that wouldn’t have been considered weird!), and that he died in a “re-education” camp for gay men. As I hoped, the story does circle back around to him eventually, and we learn more about his rather traumatic childhood, his career in the circus, his long-term relationship with Triste, and the details of their imprisonment and Héctor’s death. That story that Triste tells in chapter 8 was published prior to the novel as a short story, and is probably one of the best and most heart-rending parts.
Regarding the representation thing… I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it initially, as there is more than one gay-and-predatory character in this. However, I think the author is trying to explore the range of M/M sexual encounters and perhaps how an environment that deems all of them equally deviant (unless it is about asserting power over a deviant - making you, paradoxically, more macho) makes love harder and might give some people an excuse to go “well, might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb, eh?”…but doesn’t entirely preclude joy. Those encounters that are truly wanted on both sides, where there is affection and trust, are written as playful and magically beautiful (though still “earthy”). In some of these cases, there is also a family member who understands and is protective - not a small thing, given the setting! Where there is an imbalance of age or power that would make proper consent impossible, it is clear from the framing that the perpetrator is seeking his own satisfaction, with any concern for the other’s pleasure being mainly to stroke his own ego. There is a somewhat melancholic air to these passages even if the victim doesn’t see himself as a victim; Sometimes there is also another character who clearly thinks that what happened wasn’t right. Appropriately, the cases where the victim has no agency at all are downright nightmarish!
Besides the content warnings that should already be obvious (homophobia, rape, incest, pedophilia), let me add: police brutality, torture, suicide, death of animals, body horror, and just a whole bunch of every bodily fluid imaginable. I would therefore not recommend this book to everyone; if you think you might be interested but are unsure, maybe see how you fare with 'The House of the Spirits'. It also needs a list of similar content warnings - including spousal abuse - but doesn't have suicide, actually-carried-out incest or pedophilia, or shocking animal deaths, and the descriptions are just generally less...involved. I tend to recommend that one as a place to start with the more politically realistic side of magical realism because I read it when I was 15 and did have a couple of nightmares, but also decided I wanted more! A much gentler starting place is 'Wild Beauty'...but that wouldn't be sufficient preparation for this novel at all!
To get into the political side and some of the other themes…I’ll have to think a bit longer before I post my full blog review!
March 19, 2008
Richly detailed and intense, the book presents a stunningly large-scale narrative of the Cuban experience, in a uniquely surreal style.
The story occasionally drags under its own (admittedly hefty) weight, and knowledge of at least rudimentary Spanish is a must, as well as some basic Caribbean culture lessons.
Given the requisite background, the intense story and unique flavor make the investment that it takes to this read novel a rewarding endeavor.
The story occasionally drags under its own (admittedly hefty) weight, and knowledge of at least rudimentary Spanish is a must, as well as some basic Caribbean culture lessons.
Given the requisite background, the intense story and unique flavor make the investment that it takes to this read novel a rewarding endeavor.
April 7, 2009
I've spent the last 15 minutes trying to find a way to accurately describe this book. Everytime I cracked open this book I felt like I was stepping into Cuba in the 50's. This is by far the best book I have read since Huckleberry Finn. If you liked Water for Chocolate you will be enthralled by "The Lazarus Rumba".
February 10, 2015
I wanted to like this book more... I just couldn't past the disgusting nature of many of the scenes. I don't do well with large quantities of flies, let's just say. Yeccch. And pedophilia is not my thing, either. I understand that all sorts of weird can happen in the name of magical realism, but, eew, I just couldn't keep going after a while. Sorry, Mestre-Reed.
July 30, 2021
Lyrical and haunting. A sad book.
September 28, 2015
Wonderful magical realism written in English, so not dealing with a translation. Uses many Spanish phrases, much of them slang and not in my two dictionaries. After a while I gave up on the dictionaries and just got most of it from context. Immersion, as the whole novel is. This is my preferred way to get a better understanding of the complex politics of the Cuban revolution. Nuanced politics, together with deep love and connection with the land, and surreal fanatastical stories and characters. Didn't give it 5 stars because so long (almost 500 pages - am I getting lazy?). Yet immersing in it was like submerging into a dream world.
April 14, 2015
I don't know how to describe this book or what to say. 480+ pages about Cuba during and after La Revolucion, told through a mind-boggling (in a good way) combination of fact, fantasy, and metaphor - and beautiful imagery (well, beautifully written. The images are rarely beautiful.) Despite the 66 characters (I think), it left me with an overwhelming feeling of loneliness. I'm sure there's a lot that I didn't understand, or that went over my head, so I'd really like to read it again someday. But for now I just need to let it sink in.
April 24, 2014
This was a tough book to read and I read half then walked away and read the other half 6 months later! I like the style and appreciated the full spectrum of what Mestre-Reed was trying to accomplish. I also love Cuba and reading all things Cuban. As others mentioned, I found the extensive gay sex tiring; perhaps a mix of some hetero sex would have helped!? That said, he took on a monumental task of history, culture, plot, great extensive character development, and style.
March 7, 2009
I enjoyed this kind of but I was relieved when it ended- it's long and unrelentingly sorrowful.
If you read this make sure you have a Spanish/English dictionary handy at all times- there is a lot of Spanish, especially curse words (which are fun to look up)
If you read this make sure you have a Spanish/English dictionary handy at all times- there is a lot of Spanish, especially curse words (which are fun to look up)
Want to read
July 24, 2008I wanted to read this book, I started it and then felt no desire to continue reading it... This seems like a summer time book to me. To bulky for the winter
January 23, 2008
I've read it twice, and I thought it was absolutely fabulous!
January 23, 2008
The best novel about Cuba after the revolution that I've ever read!
September 9, 2013
Un mundo mágico donde la realidad y sobre naturaleza cubanas se conjugan para presentarnos testimonios variopintos pre revolucionarios y pos revolucionarios .
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews