Oscar Hijuelos

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love now writes a haunting story of a man reflecting upon his life through the lens of Christmases past. When his son, who is studying for the priesthood, is killed violently at Christmas, a man who had believed he was on his way to pursuing a typical American dream, begins to question the very foundations of his life.

In 1949, two young Cuban musicians, brothers Cesar and Nestor, leave Havana for New York. By day they work hard, by night they are the Mambo Kings: packing out clubs, dance halls and theatres with their sensuous, pulsing Latin music. This is the captivating story of charming, vivacious womanizer Cesar and quiet, romantic Nestor - still nursing an unrequited love for 'beautiful Maria of my soul' - ...