Tales from the Cuban Empire

by Antonio José Ponte, Cola Franzen (Translator)

In the manner of fabled storytellers, Ponte creates a vivid picture of contemporary Cuba—its real and imagined place in the world—through stories told by a foreign exchange physics student, urban planners who discover an underground metropolis in their own neighborhood, a traveler stranded in an airport restroom, a suspicious stranger listening to stories spun in a barbershop, and a Chinese butcher in love with a beautiful daughter of Ochún. This inventive brew of fantasy, popular religion, science and science fiction, travel adventure, and tall tales celebrates the Cuban spirit at home and abroad.

Antonio José Ponte (born 1964 in Matanzas, Cuba) lives in Havana. He is the author of poetry, essays, novels, and stories.

112 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Antonio José Ponte was born in 1964 in Matanzas, Cuba. He moved to Havana in 1980, where he completed studies in hydraulic engineering at the University of Havana, and worked five years as an engineer. He left engineering to write for film, completing scripts for two full-length films and a documentary.

Reviews

[Jordan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This inventive book provides a window into a Cuba that is largely unknown - one of exotic culture, beautiful landscapes, and an array of characters.
This book is strikingly simplistic while grippingly eloquent.
"Tales From the Cuban Empire" is made up of 5 short stories, including the story of a woman who hides in restrooms due to her fear of men, a parable on an over-crowded house, a book who brings its owners to untimely deaths, a butcher who steals an elephant, and an old man who tells farfetched stories about faraway places.
I loved each and every story told here, and enjoyed "A Knack for Making Ruins" the best.
Ponte has a distinctively natural writing style that reminded me of Jorge Luis Borges, my favorite author of all time. I am greatly looking forward to finding more of this brilliant author's work as soon as I can. Not to be missed!

[John Mcinerney · Rating 4 out of 5]

i don't know, I didn't quite connect to it. I def got parts from being in cuba but wasn't able to follow the emotion like some others. what is this style anyway?