Dancing to Almendra

by Mayra Montero, Edith Grossman (Translator)

Havana, 1957. On the same day that the Mafia capo Umberto Anastasia is assassinated in a barber's chair in New York, a hippopotamus escapes from the Havana zoo and is shot and killed by its pursuers. Assigned to cover the zoo story, Joaquín Porrata, a young Cuban journalist, instead finds himself embroiled in the mysterious connections between the hippo's death and the mobster's when a secretive zookeeper whispers to him that he "knows too much." In exchange for a promise to introduce the keeper to his idol, the film star George Raft, now the host of the Capri Casino, Joaquín gets information that ensnares him in an ever-thickening plot of murder, mobsters, and, finally, love. The love story is, of course, another mystery. Told by Yolanda, a beautiful ex-circus performer now working for the famed cabaret San Souci, it interleaves through Joaquín's underworld investigations, eventually revealing a family secret deeper even than Havana's brilliantly evoked enigmas. In Dancing to "Almendra , " Mayra Montero has created an ardent and thrilling tale of innocence lost, of Havana's secret world that is "the basis for the clamor of the city," and of the end of a violent era of fantastic characters and extravagant crimes. Based on the true history of a bewitching city and its denizens, Almendra is the latest "triumph" ( Library Journal ) from one of Latin America's most impassioned and intoxicating voices.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Spanish Literature, World Literature, Latin American

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 2, 1985

About the author

Well-known Cuban-Puerto Rican author and columnist.

Reviews

[Janet Howard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up based solely on the description on the wrapped book around Valentine’s Day from Bookman’s Used Bookstore. I adore hippos so naturally I had to get this book! I was distressed upon seeing the cover with a deceased hippo but pressed on.

This was a weird book, based on historical events surrounding the mafia, Cuban casinos and gangsters, and the hectic time in the 1950’s leading up to the Cuban revolution when Castro took power on January 1, 1959. It follows a young reporter who learns the hippo was killed as a message for Umberto Anastasia. As he investigates further he travels to New York just as the Apalachin mafia meeting is raided by the FBI. The more he digs into the story, the more danger he finds himself in.

What I liked: the factual stories tied to this book starting with Anastasia’s murder in New York in October 1957, the FBI raided Apalachin meeting of mafia bosses a month later, the frenzied activity by gangsters trying to make Havana the next Vegas. I even went back and watched The Godfather part II as much of the plot involves Cuban casinos.

What didn’t work: the book is just odd. It tried to throw so many characters into the story the plot got lost at times. There are strange diary entries by a lover of the protagonist that were completely unnecessary. It felt like an SNL Stefon skit: This book has everything: dead hippos, mobsters, a one armed woman, a zookeeper who idolizes George Raft (American actor with mob connections), Meyer Lansky in his underwear intimidating the protagonist.

The facts were more interesting than the story and sent me down many rabbit holes while reading this.

2.5 ⭐️

[Makmild · Rating 2 out of 5]

เศร้าชิบหายเล่มนี้มีทุกอย่างที่เราชอบ

✅ อิงประวัติศาสตร์ คิวบาช่วงปฏิวัติ 1950
✅ แก๊งค์มาเฟีย
✅ ความพิลึกพิลั่นของเรื่องราว ฮิปโปที่ถูกฆ่าตายในคิวบากับมาเฟียที่ถูกยิงตายอยู่นิวยอร์ค

แต่แม่งไม่สนุกเลย อ่านแล้วแบบ เมื่อไรจะจบ อยากอ่านเล่มอื่นต่อแล้ว จริงมันอาจจะสนุกแหละ แต่เราไม่ชอบสไตล์การเขียนเลย มันกลางๆ ไปหมด จะตลกเหมือนโคทาโร่แต่ใส่ความเพี้ยนก็ไม่ถึง จะจริงจัง ดุดันเดือดเลือดพล่านเหมือน Llosa ก็ไม่ได้ หรือจะไปแนวแดกดันเหมือนแก้งค์อิตาลี หรืออย่างมาทาดอร์ก็ไม่ไหว

เสียดาย อยากสนุกและชอบกว่านี้แท้ๆ

[Robert Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

--From my 2007 review in The San Juan Star--

Let us return to those good old days in Havana, B.C. (Before Castro) when Meyer Lansky and the Mafia ran the hotels, fading movie stars like George Raft ran the casinos and hippos were let loose from the zoo to run in the streets before being "whacked" in a mob war. When shows at the famed Tropicana made Las Vegas extravaganzas pale by comparison. When the forces of Fulgencio Batista stuffed identity cards into the mouths of the tortured dead bodies of would-be revolutionaries.

When an affair of sorts takes place between Yolanda, a beautiful one-armed former circus magician's assistant, and Roderico, a leprous homosexual choreographer (who is anything but "gay," personality-wise); when an investigation by Joaquín Porrata, a naive young reporter, leads him to the top underworld figures of the time and to chopped-up bodies fed to the lions at the zoo.

It's all in Dancing to Almendra, the latest of nine novels by Mayra Montero , who has spent twice as much time living in Puerto Rico as in Cuba, where she was born, and whose works have led critics to place her in the top rank of today's Latin American writers.

And let us note that Almendra also is a moving, sensitive story of improbable loves and unraveling family ties and distinctive, dissenting lives in the flamboyant, lovely, surreal Havana of 1957.

Among those other works is Captain of the Sleepers, a novel suffused with mystery, memory and death, set mostly on Vieques in the 1950s and dealing with, among other things, the Nationalists' uprising of the time.

Montero has the true writer's ability to pull the reader into the story from the opening paragraphs, deepening that involvement on every proceeding page until the eyes, the heart and the mind race along to the finale. By accomplishing this, she assumes the burden that the ending—the most difficult part for many novelists—better be more than just good, as it certainly is in Almendra.

[Brayden · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the surface this is the perfect book for me as it is both historical fiction (taking place on the eve of the Cuban revolution) and a book about the Mafia. A young Cuban journalist, Joaquin Porrata, discovers that on the same day that a hippo was killed in the Havana zoo, a mafia leader, Anastasia, was assassinated in a barber shop in NYC. Nobody sees the connections between the two killings except for Joaquin and a poor zoo-hand. Joaquin starts putting the pieces of the puzzle together once he begins embedding himself in the dark underworld of the Mafia, traveling to NYC to visit the scene of the crime (which he never actually does) and beginning a sexual relationship with a Mafioso's mistress.

Despite its promising topic and sometimes intriguing plot, why didn't I love this book? I guess the problem for me was Montero's writing. Montero neither has the bite of a neo-noirish style like James Ellroy nor does he write with a compelling sense of dread like his fellow Latino author Roberto Bolano. The Cuba that Montero writes about seems thoroughly unenchanted, which is a major let-down if you think there's something fanciful about Cuba on the eve of revolution.

Sadly, the book never captured my interest and so I read the last hundred pages half-heartedly and anxious to begin a new book.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tr Edith Grossman. This doesn’t seem to have had much love on Goodreads but I enjoyed it. I realised that I have a surprisingly superficial grasp of gangster activity in the fifties even if I have probably watched a multitude of films about it, so I loved reading around the real life characters that appeared here and getting shocked at their reach and audacity. Again, although I knew that these American gangsters did have a huge impact on Cuba and Havana through their casinos in particular, I also liked this as the main setting for the book. The characters are a bit weird and not easy to like, but the set up feels a lot more natural than it sounds in the blurb with the narrator journalist, the circus and the casinos weaving together in a way that made sense. Not really my usual fare but I suspect that the low rating has something to do with the fact that it is a literary rather than pure ‘noir’ read so suspect that it may have disappointed readers expecting something different.

[Karl H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dancing to "Almendra" is a noir book set in pre-revolution Cuba with a one armed woman, a lion feeder who is a celebrity doppelganger, and a childhood best friend who is also a pimp. Based on the summary, the story sounds colorful and exciting- so why did it wind up being such a slog? There are a lot of pieces assembled and back stories that might be interesting if done right but it never really takes off. The problem is these stories never really add up to much or go anywhere. The plot kind of peters out, and even though there are some interesting turns of phrase, the clever parts are far too small to sustain interest. Too much mobster name-dropping is another problem. Its almost as if Lucky Lusciano or Meyer Lansky showing up is supposed to keep us engaged in a story that has little urgency or point. By the end, my interest had pretty much flagged.

[Li Misol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es un libro que se ubica en la Habana anterior a la revolución de Castro, en tiempo de mafiosos, casinos y trifulcas por el territorio.

Un joven periodista, Joaquín, empieza a involucrarse en ese mundo buscando desesperadamente salir de el asqueroso trabajo que le han asignado en la seccion de espectáculos del periodico. Joaquin busca un reportaje serio, y decide que su historia estara centrada en el reciente asesinato del mafioso Umberto Anastacia en Nueva York y las conecciones del suceso entre la mafia habanera.

El libro es emocionante y con un toque garciamarquiano que le otorgan las historias de las mujeres que pasan por la vida del joven periodista.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. At first, I was not certain whether a book about Cuba and the mafia would interest me, but there is so much more to the plot than meets the eye. The characters--a one-armed former circus performer, the gay leper she loves, the young journalist who gets mixed up with both them and the mafia--are so unique. And the world is so vivid and crazy that I couldn't put the book down and was sad when it ended and I had to. I'd definitely reccomend this book for those with an interest in the subject matter, but I'd also reccomend it for those who are willing to give something completely different a try. You may be surprised as I was.

[Christopher Rex · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weak. The theme sounded great (pre-Castro, mafia-infested Cuba). I didn't know the author, but the translator is "famous" (she translates for Mario Vargas Llosa) and the reviews were solid. Unfortunately, the book fails miserably. Though it doesn't win an Honorary Sebald-Austerlitz Award" for being total verbal shite, it is pretty much a slog. I finished it out of principle and the hope it would improve as it went on. It didn't. The characters were shallow and the story wasn't any bit mysterious or thrilling as it would sell itself. It is all just sort of "there". With all the great "Latin" literature out there, I would tell anyone to take a pass on this book.

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book fine, but I have no basis for judging whether it is referencing real events or not (my knowledge of the Cuban mafia being what it is). Weirdly enough, I find that that is the reason I can't get more excited about it. It also seemed kind of scattered and frantic, but I think that it would've flowed better in the original Spanish. Thoroughly average reading experience, all around.

[Featherbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alternating stories of a young journalist investigating the organized crime activity in gambling in 1950's Havana and the confessions of his girlfriend, a one-armed former circus performer. Strange and bloody tale and I found it hard to care about the characters, although the Cuban atmosphere was authentic and rich. You could almost hear the danzon music.

[Werebot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glowing review on the front of the Times Book Review! Translated by Edith Grossman! I have to read this! Well, I did, and -- eh. Very flat, kind of dull.

[DeAnna Knippling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latter days of pre-revolutionary Cuba, seen through the eyes of a young reporter.

This is an atmospheric book about what we know, what we don't know, and how little it means whether or not we know--until it's a matter of life and death.

The book is very engagingly written, the sort of book you'd read to step out of your current environment and be taken somewhere else (1957 Cuba), but not in a facile escapist way, or even in a way that answers historical questions. It just feels like you're there, like you're reading a memoir and not a novel.

Why did the Cuban revolution happen? No idea. Why were the mob so invested in Cuba before then? Dunno but they were. Why was the main character romantically involved with the person he was? He tries to explain it but the logic doesn't hold up. Ultimately it doesn't matter.

If you're the kind of person who Wants Answers, this is not the book for you. If you like being able to envelop yourself in a historical atmosphere and don't need everything wrapped up tightly, this is a wonderful book.

Recommended for readers of memoirs and literary historical fiction.

[Luis Cortes Mendez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ha sido una lectura agradable. Seguramente el fondo de la historia no es lo que más me haya impresionado, pero si la vida de algunos de los personajes de la novela. Me ha recordado la imaginación de Garcia Marquez con personajes de circo y de amores que duelen. No tiene sentido comparar ambos escritores, pero tal vez esta imaginación es lo que más he disfrutado de su lectura. Creo que solo en algunos escritores sudamericanos he encontrado esta inventiva.

Aunque la novela es redactada por un hombre, el papel principal se va encaminando poco a poco a las mujeres que le rodean. De hecho la mitad de la novela, donde prevalece el papel de él y de todos los capos de la mafia del libro, podría sobrar y haber quedado una novela muchísimo más amena y dramática solo con la vida de estas mujeres. Para mi, solo por las mujeres, merece la pena haber leído la obra.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a word: confusing. This book kept my attention for the mystery of it all, although it got hard to reconcile code names and actual names. There are elements that seem so unnecessary. I don’t understand what I was supposed to get from the entire story, but it did come full circle in a way that was at least a bit amusing if not even more confusing. I don’t get the point of Yolanda’s passages in italics other than some information. This is not a well thought out story. It doesn’t function properly. The glimpses of story present did do well. There are some graphic details and uncomfortable scenes all through this. Not for the squeamish or tender hearted. Definitely not a light read, although the writing style is distanced enough to feel mostly impartial to everything.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

There could be a fascinating, exotic, dark-tinged novel set against the backdrop of the mob-run casinos and clubs of late 50s Havana. This isn't it. There is nothing to like about this book - not the story, not the writing, not the characters. Especially not the narrator, a self-centred cub reporter who hopes to make a name by publishing articles about the secrets of the top mafiosi in Havana. His unending disdain for everyone - colleagues, informers, family, lovers - becomes so tedious that you don't even care when his naive stupidity gets him into deep trouble with the mob. I did finish this - barely. If you run across a better Havana book, let me know.

[Mónica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesante relato sobre la mafia. En este libro se nos relata la corrupción que se forma alrededor del anuncio de la próxima construcción de cincuenta hoteles un Cuba, y naturalmente todos desean su parte del paste, mafiosos-políticos-constructores... Eso sí, todo aquel que se vaya de la boca será ejecutado, no se andan con remilgos.

[Susan Beecher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting novel about a young journalist in pre-Castro Cuba investigating Cubanand American mafioso investing in hotels and casinos. It is also the story of his lover who lost part of her arm during a magician's "cut the lady in half" magic trick.

[Diasamidze Ayse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Çok büyük bir keyifle okudum, yazarın ilk okuduğum romanı ve diğer eserlerini çok merak ediyorum. son on sayfada bitmese keşke diye diye sayfaları güç bela çevirdim...:)

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh.

[Manuel Canul Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es una novela clásica de misterio y como tal funciona bien, el cruce con las cartas mistifica muy bien a los personajes y al entorno.

[Melissa Lerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blend of surrealism, historical fiction and metaphysical themes. Fascinating novel.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

My best description to give is this book is a mix between The Godfather and the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but set in Cuba.

[Grace Applegate · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Read for class) This book exists within the context of the Cuban revolution. If one does not know the historical background of the events taking place, much of the content and meaning of the book is lost. The writing style, lack of redemption within the characters, and morally ambiguous narrator made it hard to take the novel seriously; that said, perhaps this discomfort is meant to be instructive and inspire us to seek redemption in our own lives. With books like these, how important is it that a reader enjoys their reading experience if they are learning?

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot, a well paced narrative, is set in Cuba during its golden years. Fulgencio Batista was the dictator and ruled with strong fist. The setting is 1957 and Fidel Castro had started the revolution in Sierra Maestra. A journalist is sent to cover the story of a hippopotamus that escaped from the zoo and was shot. The death of the hippo is connected to the death of mobster Umberto Anastasia. The journalist keeps investigating and comes accross information of the mobsters controling the gambling and other rackets in Cuba and backed by goverment agents. Meyer Lanski and Santo Traficante were in control and they were sending millions of dollars in cash to Miami where they were banking it safely. There is counter story of Yolanda, who was sort of a contortionist and had lost an arm, of her love to Roderico, the great Rodney. Between 1960-1963 I hapen to have spoken to many Cubans that were lucky to get out of Cuba and they gave me a good idea of how things were with the Batista regime and mobsters with their casinos.
I forgot to mention that "Almendra" is a danzon. The music is more likea waltz of minuette. They dance in a very formal way which is beautiful to watch but much better to dance.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Montero's book is set in Cuba just as the Revolutionaries start their successful campaign to (re)claim the country. It is a layered book with one layer focused on a gangster/mafia story (the setting of Cuba's casinos is perfect, obviously), a complicated love that has an intimate connection to a circus and magicians plus a layer (really a backdrop) of the horrors of violent revolution. And, yes, the zoo features, too. Having studied "literature in revolution," this book would qualify and does not disappoint. It's not my favorite in the genre, but it is a new addition worthy of a read. I still think I need to learn Spanish, though, as this book must be excellent in the original language. Nevertheless, the translator (Edith Grossman) does a good job ensuring that the context and feel are right. Given she's translated for authors such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, I trust it's a good translation.

[Scot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not great. I really enjoyed the historical narrative focused on the activities of the mafia as it related to Cuba in the 50's prior to Fidel's uprising. That aspect was really interesting. Unfortunately the quirky characters just did not cut is as the messengers for that story and though they were the central plot they took away from what was such an interesting story. Maybe I set too high of expectations based on my love of Mafia stories or maybe this just proves that I do not love mystery style books. I hate to end this way, but I think this would make a much better movie than a book... especially if it is black and white and Noir style.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading the reviews of the book and the back cover, I was really excited about it. It seemed like it was going to be a cross of "Devil in the White City" and "Dancing with Elephants". The more I read, the more I hoped the author would tie the main characters, historical references and the slaying of the hippo. Unfortunately, I never really got fully engaged with the character. Nor did I see the connection between the gangster's murder and the hipo's slaying, even after re-reading sections. I think the book has lots of potential.

[RuthAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would recommend: Probably not

Good things about this book: beautiful language, immersive atmosphere, intriguing characters and back stories.

Bad things about this book: the ending, and how it was completely disappointing.

I rarely read mysteries, so maybe I'm just not keyed in to the genre, but I sort of expected to know what the heck happened at the end of the book. Did I miss something? After getting attached to the characters, I felt like I had been cheated by the fizzled-out ending.

[Daniel Simmons · Rating 1 out of 5]

Were I more well-versed in 1950s gangsterism I might have enjoyed this slim but interminable novel more -- real historical capos and desperados pop up with such frequency that it's nearly impossible to keep them all straight. I found the plot (which flits back and forth in time and between events in Cuba and New York) muddled, the characters hard to swallow (a one-armed carny falls in love with a gay leper?), and the pacing all over the place. There's a good story in here somewhere amid all the smoky parlor room intrigue, but I couldn't find it.