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Havana
- A Subtropical Delirium
- Narrated by: Fleet Cooper
- Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
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Havana
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Publisher's Summary
Award-winning author Mark Kurlansky presents an insider's view of Havana: the elegant, tattered city he has come to know over more than 30 years. Part cultural history, part travelogue, with recipes throughout, Havana celebrates the city's singular music, literature, baseball and food; its five centuries of outstanding neglected architecture; and its extraordinary blend of cultures.
Like all great cities, Havana has a rich history that informs the vibrant place it is today - from the native Taino to Columbus' landing, from Cuba's status as a US protectorate to Batista's dictatorship and Castro's revolution, from Soviet presence to the welcoming of capitalist tourism. Havana is a place of extremes: a beautifully restored colonial city whose cobblestone streets pass through areas that have not been painted or repaired since long before the revolution.
Kurlansky shows Havana through the eyes of Cuban writers, such as Alejo Carpentier and José Martí, and foreigners, including Graham Greene and Hemingway. He introduces us to Cuban baseball and its highly opinionated fans; the city's music scene, alive with the rhythm of Son; its culinary legacy. Through Mark Kurlansky's multilayered and electrifying portrait, the long-elusive city of Havana comes stirringly to life.
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What listeners say about Havana
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- IF
- 2020-01-02
Tough to get past impersonation of Spanish accent
The way the narrator speaks Spanish as if he is impersonating someone with a Cuban accent (with an exaggerated nasal quality, as a comedian might) is just too cringeworthy. I found it way too distracting to focus on the story. :(
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Greg
- 2018-11-20
Brilliant condensed history of Cuba
I was so sorry when the book ended as I enjoyed the informative and entertaining dialogue so much. The narrator is excellent; a wonderful voice and he was so passionate that I was surprised when I saw that it was not the author himself that was narrating.
This is a perfect read for those heading to Cuba who haven’t left much time to research the history and culture. It will enrich your visit and give you a better understanding of the country and its people. Loved the anecdotes and there were even a couple of recipes thrown in!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- See Reverse
- 2018-03-31
Havana was Nice, But Salt is Better
I've been an avid listener of Mark Kurlansky's work, so I was doubly excited to hear that this book was released and it was a decent departure from the Salt/Basque storyline that I've so enjoyed from the earlier books.
While Havana is interesting in its coverage of the relatively tumultuous history of the city, it doesn't have the same feel as Kurlansky's other work. I'm not disappointed, this book definitely gave me a better feel for the deep rooted place Havana holds in American Culture (Sloppy Joe's!)
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- L. Jensen
- 2023-04-08
Enthralling historical book
For those interested in history Mark Kurlansky never disappoints. This book is like all of his others, captivating and packed with historical knowledge.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gureet
- 2020-02-05
Great narration and well written
This gives great introspection to Cuban history and modern Cuba. Well written with great detail.
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