Helpful Score: 2
I'm not sure if you can REALLY like this book unless you intensely like The Great Gatsby. The book is, in large part, a re-figuring of Jay Gatsby as a drug-dealing, albeit highly idealistic, NewYorican real estate mogul. Changing the East Egg/West Egg setting to Spanish Harlem is effective and makes the reader contemplate the evolving nature (has it evolved?) of the American Dream. I really enjoyed this book. I also really enjoy teaching TGG every year!
A decent novel, somewhat boring and cliched, but is a commentary on urban life and the decisions we all make in life.
Ernesto Quinonez's novel is an exciting preview of what life in New York City's Spanish Harlem was during the 70s and what it is like today. His book is very well written, with excellent use of the vernacular, sprinkled with Spanish and spanglish through. It will take a "nuyorican" back "home" through it's pages. His characters are well-drawn, believable, and vivid, and they live in the novel through an interesting mystery plot that is sure to thrill any reader. I highly recommend this book.
I loved this book. As soon as I began reading it, I felt compelled to continue to learn about the characters, a sign of good writing.
