Three Trapped Tigers

Rating:
Summary: Amazing book
Review: "Three Trapped Tigers" is a mind-boggler, and the expected outcome is to be able to know pre-revolutionary Havana as Cabrera Infante knew it himself. Whether this is even a possibility is something the reader must discover. Clues to the puzzle are divulged along the way, but mostly in the last section of the work, so that the reader gradually learns who the characters are, their relationships to one another, and how (and why?) they are experiencing pre-revolutionary Havana night life. The language games - including distortions, mutations, creations - add a unique element of humor. It is this humor that covers and pushes away the subtle insinuations of a tragic reality - a country on the verge of falling apart. In a work that contains such an energetic use of language, perhaps the "truth" is to be found in the silences.

The English version of "Tres tristes tigres" is where Cabrera Infante is most at liberty to describe that reality he wishes to convey in his work. He is no longer hindered by censorship so that he is free to use the language and descriptions he desires, making the English version closer to his original intent.

"Three Trapped Tigers" offers a dizzying experience of nocturnal Havana, of language, and of intimacy.

Rating:
Summary: Aproximacion a un Ulises en castellano
Review: En mi opinion, esta es una de las obras maestras de la literatura hispanoamericana del siglo XX. A traves de sus paginas, el autor nos trasporta a la Cuba pre-castrista, en un estilo literario que exude sabor y ambiente tropical. Es una obra divertida, experimental, y a fin de cuentas, enternecedora...

Rating:
Summary: Cabrera Infante was a wonderful surprise for me 15 years ago
Review: I discovered Cabrera Infante's Tres Tristes Tigres (in Spanish) about 15 years ago and was so blown away that I searched for a copy in English so I could share it with my non Spanish speaking friends. I read the English version as well so I would know what I was recommending since I did not know how well it would translate, and found another book, equally funny--I believe he and a graduate assistant did the translation. Infante has an incredible way with language. It is certainly true that he should be read aloud. He painted an intriguing picture of a Havana which was probably almost as much a dream to him by that time as it was to me. I am buying this book today to give to a friend who introduced me to Felipe Alfau's Locos. I hope he will enjoy it as much as I have. Tres Tristes Tigres remains one of my favorite books.

Rating:
Summary: Astounding to say the least
Review: Infante has written a masterpiece. This book covers ( and plays on ) the styles of so many popular writers that it boggles the mind. On top of that the TRANSLATED version plays with the english language in a way that would make James Joyce proud,and maybe a wee bit jealous (and in all possibility giving the translator a nervous break down). Easily one of the best books I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing book
Review: To say it shortly, this is one of the best 10 books I have ever read (and I have read plenty of books). Please do not pass away without having read TTT.