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the_mighty_finn17's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
karireads's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jorgjuar's review against another edition
3.0
Pasado perfecto narra la investigación realizada por el Tte. Mario Conde tras reportarse la desaparición de un alto mando del Ministerio de Industrias, quien es descrito por prácticamente todos sus conocidos como alguien ejemplar, y con quien Mario Conde tiene una historia personal desfavorable.
No había leído antes nada de Leonardo Padura, pero encontré una novela entretenida que, si bien es policiaca, no diría que califica como novela negra.
La historia está situada a finales de los 80's en la Habana, aunque bien podría ser la época actual. En términos generales lleva un buen ritmo, mientras que el desarrollo de los personajes se narra de forma paulatina intercalando los eventos actuales con los pasados, sin embargo, muchos de estos últimos en realidad no tienen relación con la trama; en ocasiones son para dar contexto a algunos de los personajes, pero L. Padura se extiende demasiado en detalles que no van a ningún lado. Por otro lado, el personaje de Mario Conde es excelente, y diría que eso compensa las fallas en algunos de los otros personajes.
En resumen, Pasado Perfecto es una novela entretenida que se lee bastante rápido. Debido a la simplicidad de la trama, es recomendable para lectores que han leído poco o nada de novela policiaca.
No había leído antes nada de Leonardo Padura, pero encontré una novela entretenida que, si bien es policiaca, no diría que califica como novela negra.
La historia está situada a finales de los 80's en la Habana, aunque bien podría ser la época actual. En términos generales lleva un buen ritmo, mientras que el desarrollo de los personajes se narra de forma paulatina intercalando los eventos actuales con los pasados, sin embargo, muchos de estos últimos en realidad no tienen relación con la trama; en ocasiones son para dar contexto a algunos de los personajes, pero L. Padura se extiende demasiado en detalles que no van a ningún lado. Por otro lado, el personaje de Mario Conde es excelente, y diría que eso compensa las fallas en algunos de los otros personajes.
En resumen, Pasado Perfecto es una novela entretenida que se lee bastante rápido. Debido a la simplicidad de la trama, es recomendable para lectores que han leído poco o nada de novela policiaca.
paulataua's review against another edition
2.0
Cuban Noir? Sounded interesting but really didn’t deliver. Not much plot, even less character development, and it just seemed to end so suddenly. I doubt I will move onto the second in the series, at least until the memory of this one has faded.
esther_habs's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
amelie5m's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
andrew61's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable crime novel set in late 1980's Havanna. An important party bigwig goes missing and police detective Manuel Conde is dragged in from his new year holiday and hangover to investigate. The plot involves the search against the backdrop of party politics and corruption and Conde's personal dealings with the lost Rafael at college and his renewed relationship with Rafael's wife Tamarra. Interesting in the context of Cuban life but not so compelling as I will rush to read the remainder of the series.
catalystcafe's review against another edition
2.0
Este libro... es suboptimal al mejor decir. El Conde, nuestro carácter principal, sigue el machismo presente en todo de Cuba, es personaje poco interesante, y Padura nos falta en diciéndonos tanto comentario sobre la sociedad de Cuba en un tiempo muy interesante en su historia.
Como trama, el caso no fue muy pesante a leer. Ya al principios de la novela, es obvio que la persona que es el culpable es sospechoso en sus maneras de actuando, entonces esta novela no es una puzzle alucinante, sino que una confirmación de lo que tú ya sabes. No es entra buena en el género de la novela negra.
Como trama, el caso no fue muy pesante a leer. Ya al principios de la novela, es obvio que la persona que es el culpable es sospechoso en sus maneras de actuando, entonces esta novela no es una puzzle alucinante, sino que una confirmación de lo que tú ya sabes. No es entra buena en el género de la novela negra.
elenatanasoiu's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I wouldn’t recommend this book unless you have an interest in Cuba.
The review:
Caribbean communism is an interesting mix. On the one hand you’ve got the usual poverty brought on by scarce resources, the pain of having to sit in bread lines, the desperation for obtaining modern comforts and the ever-watching eye of the state. On the other hand, you’ve got amazing weather, good rum, good music and dancing, an appreciation for the arts and a strong desire to be happy.
But out of all of that, the most important resource the Cuban people have in abundance is imagination. Which is what makes them good storytellers. I think it must have something to do with being isolated because it puts you chiefly in charge of coming up with entertainment for yourself. In a way, it feels very similar to the way stories used to be found in every village in Romania in the past. Each place has its local stories about love, heroism, witches, ghosts etc.
It’s nice to see a people that lives modestly but has this ability to generate art (music, dancing, stories) that weaves the Cuban identity as we know it today.
You get to see all of these things in the background as our detective story unfolds. I found it a bit naive at times, and the objectification of women left and right made me a bit bitter with it, but that’s what life was like in the not too distant past for a lot of women. All in all it was still a nice change of pace.
The review:
Caribbean communism is an interesting mix. On the one hand you’ve got the usual poverty brought on by scarce resources, the pain of having to sit in bread lines, the desperation for obtaining modern comforts and the ever-watching eye of the state. On the other hand, you’ve got amazing weather, good rum, good music and dancing, an appreciation for the arts and a strong desire to be happy.
But out of all of that, the most important resource the Cuban people have in abundance is imagination. Which is what makes them good storytellers. I think it must have something to do with being isolated because it puts you chiefly in charge of coming up with entertainment for yourself. In a way, it feels very similar to the way stories used to be found in every village in Romania in the past. Each place has its local stories about love, heroism, witches, ghosts etc.
It’s nice to see a people that lives modestly but has this ability to generate art (music, dancing, stories) that weaves the Cuban identity as we know it today.
You get to see all of these things in the background as our detective story unfolds. I found it a bit naive at times, and the objectification of women left and right made me a bit bitter with it, but that’s what life was like in the not too distant past for a lot of women. All in all it was still a nice change of pace.