Miguel is Cuban American, with the accent on American. But beneath the surface of his sun-drenched Mimai lifestyle lurks an evil that theatens to destroy him. The chance reading of a newspaper article reporting a theft and the ritualistic murder of a drug dealer pitches Miguel into battle with an underworld dominated by santeria in this spell-binding novel.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Curtis (a professor and author of two works of nonfiction) has a smart idea in this novel about a Cuban American graduate student in Miami drawn into the occult world of Santeria, but artless delivery and one-dimensional characters render this effort flat and amazingly dull for a story with so much gore and sex. Miguel is a fully assimilated American student hanging out on the beach with his Anglo, former-cheerleader girlfriend, Vicki, when he happens to read a newspaper article about a skull being stolen for a Santeria ritual. Intrigued, he and Vicki visit a botanica, where they meet an obese man and a beautiful young woman, Ileana. Miguel approaches an ethnography professor about researching Santeria for his course, and the two quickly become involved in a police investigation involving the original skull theft-apparently a signal that murder is in the offing. Miguel and Ileana become lovers, although it is never quite clear whether this occurs because they are attracted to each other or because Ileana mixes their bodily fluids in a jar. The narrative is in the past tense, but occasionally characters reminisce in the present; and certain sections are related in the present tense-presumably to add drama-but the narration then slides back into the past without any demarcation. These shifts are just part of the sudden changes in both narrative and characterization that burden a weak story.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Young Cuban American Miguel is just beginning graduate school in Miami when he reads a newspaper report about a bizarre and grisly crime. A grave has been opened, the head of the corpse removed, and a decapitated pigeon and rooster left behind. The crime is believed to be the work of practitioners of Santeria, a voodoolike Afro-Caribbean religion. Intrigued by the cult, Miguel contacts Professor Krajewski, an authority on the subject. They eventually cross paths with Detective Gutierrez, a sartorially crisp man of retirement age who is investigating the case. Miguel is drawn into the dark and strange world of Santeria, which involves blood sacrifices, dolls, animals, offerings to spirits, even the transformation of human beings. Things become more threatening, however, as Gutierrez predicts that another murder will occur in two weeks, with Miguel and the professor as targets. Though a unique contribution to the mystery genre, as well as a fascinating lesson in a religion unfamiliar to most U.S. citizens, the novel is rife with irrelevant details and burdened with stereotypes. But Curtis is an acclaimed author of two award-winning nonfiction books, so his first novel will attract attention. Greg Burkman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
AWFUL!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Shango (Paperback)
I had the unfortunate experience of having to read this poor representation of inspiring and intelligable literature for my Latin American culture class. The novel has a mediocre plot and a boring cast of characters. I resented the fact that I had to read this cheap piece of vulgar literature as part of the class course. This book gives no insight or appreciation for Carribean culture. This book is a disgrace to Afro-Cuban culture and is a big let down for the culturally inspired geographer that is seeking to learn about unique cultures. Don't waste your money on this hideous novel. You can find better reading material at your local supermarket. What a horrible novel!
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shango is AWESOME!!!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Shango (Paperback)
I recently had to read this book for a literature class and thought this book was really good. The characters were perfect, having your graduate student Miguel who has forgotten much of his Cuban heritage. However, as he learns about Santeria, he has to pass through many obstacles. If you are looking for Afro-Caribbean culture in this book, its there if you read into it and have knowledge of what Santeria is. I would recommend this book to everyone.
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