Havana Red

"Part of the reason I like his work so much is that it has a real noiresque feel about it. He has a very literary sensibility and a wonderful sense of narrative, and really knows how to build themes in a way that is rather beguiling. When I first started reading his books I said this guy has got a wonderful style, and it is reminiscent of something I like myself – and then I found out he was a big fan of my work. Yes, but that is not why I picked him. I liked his books before. I was doing a reading in New York recently, and someone stood up and said that he counted Mambo Kings as one of the most Cuban novels he had ever read. It was the biggest compliment that I had ever received, given that I am a homegrown New Yorker. And I really appreciate that Cuban texture in Padura’s prose. He is 10 years younger than me, which is something I never used to be able to say about good novelists! But it was somewhat nice to come full circle and find a kindred spirit in terms of prose. He is survival oriented and is always trying to work out an angle. What I also like about Padura’s novels is that he draws a good portrait of contemporary society in Cuba. He sees it from the inside, instead of hovering at a distance. I very much enjoy that. There is a real sense of authority in his books that is enchanting."