Mascaras

Rating:
Summary: Delivers less than it promises.
Review: This novel takes many of the elements of "roman noir" and sets them in Havana. Superficially, the work is a murder mystery that focuses on a jaded cop's transformation as he interacts with a mysterious individual whom he meets while investigating the murder of a transvestite. Along the way, the novel raises interesting points about the various faces/masks that individuals wear depending upon given situations and the people with whom the individuals are interacting. The novel explores the need to create, zeros in on the thin line between friendship and romantic love, and teases the reader with notions of sexual ambiguity.

"Mascaras" is a quick and easy read. Unfortunately, it also raises issues in an off-handed mannaer without exploring them in any great depth. This superficiality is a disappointment, for the issues are interesting and Padura clearly has ideas that are worth the reader;s though. But without deeper exploration, the reader is left with unanswered questions and the prosaic and easily predictable police narrative.