No Matter How Much You Promise to Cook or Pay the Rent You Blew It Cauze Bill Bailey Ain't Never Coming Home Again

The writer of the Publisher's Weekly review should be more thorough in their research before writing reviews. This is not Sr. Vega Yunque's "debut" novel. He has written and published, I believe at least two novels and at least one collection of stories and has published widely in journals/magazines. The man writes superbly and I was thrilled to finally have his beautiful book in print, after hearing so much about it. I'm... Read Full Review

When I heard that this author had spent sixteen years writing an epic novel having to do with jazz music, I said, "Here we go again," having just read the two other 600-page Great American Novels published in 2003 -- those of Messrs. Lethem and Powers-- which somehow dealt with ethnic identity and music. And the sleeper, Vincent O. Carter's epic of growing up in Depression-era Kansas City, while not specifically about music,... Read Full Review

To start with, I feel sorry for anyone who chooses not to read this novel based on some of the reviews posted about it. True, some of the scenes get to be a bit graphic at times, even uncomfortably so. Yet, for Yunque to have backed off would have robbed the reader of some vital touch of realness lacking in many authors, who are too chaste and concerned about what people will think to write what needs to be written. I find... Read Full Review

This is the most personal review I've ever written, and I'm somewhat embarrassed, but I don't think I care, because I can't talk about this book "objectively" anyway -- whatever that means. It has changed my life and will haunt me for a long time! The context is important to my reaction, but first . . . Other reviewers are all over the place, and that's fine. I love differences of opinion. One talks about contrivance,... Read Full Review

This is an absolutely amazing book, written by an exceptionally talented writer. Edgardo Vega has succeeded in becoming the best-known Puerto Rico-born American writer of all time, and this novel proves that his talent is worthy of legendary status. This is the first of Mr. Vega's work that I've read, but I intend to seek out more and after this engaging novel I am greatly anticipating his next publication.If you read one... Read Full Review