The MINUTE I saw the first paragraph I knew that this book was inspired (and sure enough it WAS) by "Compay Segundo", the "segunda voz", and beating heart of the group Los Compadres, and later, Buena Vista Social Club. Can't wait to read this book. I'm Cuban, like Compay Segundo, of African descent, and it's such a TREAT that this fabulous musician and composer, who is like a character of fiction in real life, has managed to get into legal fiction (which I LOVE!)

I was in Cuba for 3 weeks in Feb. this year (bicycling around western Cuba). Got to like the Cuban music esp. jazz. There were quite a number of public performances I just happened upon. From what I could tell, blacks still suffer discrimination in Cuba as well as elsewhere outside of Africa. I look forward to reading Goldstein's book! Right now I'm reading a novel by the Cuban author Reinaldo Arenas which is somewhat critical of the original Castro regime. This author ended up leaving Cuba and going to NYC.

Atticus Finch is fictional. 99% of real lawyers are not heroic.

I love Cuba, most especially the warm-hearted people, BUT separate fact from fiction, please.