Mambo Peligroso

As mesmerizing in its language as it is in its breathless plot, Mambo Peligroso felt like something of a dangerous dance itself, refusing to let you off the floor to catch your breath (or make dinner, or what have you; I devoted an entire day to the book, unable to put it down.) Others have done a fine job of outlining the plot, so I'll just second their advice: read this book. You'll be glad you did.

I just finished reading this book and had to share my thoughts. The experience was so vivid, I feel as if I just watched a really great movie. The characters, descriptions and world that it creates are so incredibly energetic and alive, I feel as though I know what each person looks like, feels like-how they smell, and taste. I feel like I know what it's like to make love to the passionate, sexy women of Mambo Pelligroso (and couldn't help fantasizing about Ms Chao while I was reading). The structure is unusual and risk-taking. Part screenplay, part character study, part political thriller. The amazing thing is that it all works. I was engaged from start to finish. It is obvious Ms Chao has not only done her homework on the world of Latin dance, but also lives and breathes it. I can only be grateful that she did all the heavy lifting so that I could enjoy the genius of a writer who has the capacity to immerse the reader in this fascinating world.

As a member of the NYC mambo scene, I found this book mesmerizing and disarming in its ability to describe the emotional life of a salsa dancer in New York. Although my own experiences have not been quite as dramatic as Chao's characters (which is probably a good thing!!), I found that her writing beautifully captured the intensity of the salsa scene, as well as all the beauty, sensuality, and pride that distinguishes this dance from others. Chao's details about New York are accurate and fun to read, and the structure she uses to introduce each chapter is heartbreakingly beautiful. The plot is a page turner, but more importantly the characters are wonderfully drawn - in the end I was reading because I cared what happened to each one of them. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever danced in New York, anyone who would ever aspire to, or simply to those who are looking for a window into this passionate and "peligroso" world.

The plot, the characters, the passion, the energy: it's all here, and we'd expect nothing less from the author of the gorgeous "Monkey King." I kept trying to turn the pages slowly so this treat would last, but the tension Chao creates and maintains wouldn't let me. Highly recommended to anyone who loves literature and/or life. How long must we wait for Chao's next novel?

This was like a rollacoaster. So much dance, and more dance. And sex too, tons of it. But what really got me was her writing. Her language has the sort of calm elegance that contrasts so remarkably with the hypnotic rhythm of the book. It's addictive!