Havana by Stephen Hunter
Havana
Stephen Hunter
ISBN: 0-7434-5797-8
2003
Havana… a thriller that wasn’t.
It’s Cuba in the fifties. Castro’s just starting out, trying to make a name for himself and the Mafia (among others) doesn’t like it. With the Cold War in full swing, the Soviet Union sends out a veteran agent to make sure Castro’s revolution succeeds, while the CIA summons their own ex-marine Earl Swagger, to make sure he fails. And thus the games begin.
This wasn’t a particularly bad book, but a thriller is expected to contain certain attributes that this one lacked. At no time was I on the edge of my seat in suspense, nor was I excited at the prospect of what would come next. What it boils down to is that I wasn’t engaged by this story. I wasn’t interested in what I was reading; I simply didn’t care.
The story itself felt like a cliché (hero good, government bad- very little gray area in that world) and somewhat contrived. It seemed there was a list of details the author was determined to include and regardless of how much these details spilled over the sides of the cart or had to be shoved in between the seat cushions, like it or not they were going to be there. If you’ve seen Pirates of the Caribbean III you’ll know what I mean: the story simply would not end.
The characters were two-dimensional, lacking both depth and personality past anything that was expected of their stereotypical roles. At times they also tended to be untrue to their natures. In the real world a strong, smart, morally upright person who supposedly lives and breathes for his family is not going to take on someone else’s fight for no good reason, but in this story the audience is supposed to gloss over such tiny inconsistencies. I should also mention that there was little innovation and the twists were lackluster at best with only the Russian agent bringing forth any sort of fun or interest.
If your kind of book revolves around the following: blood, guns, graphic violence, the seedy side of politics, sex/prostitution and still more violence, then this book is for you. If on the other hand you require a bit more to enhance your need for blood lust, say fast-paced action and satisfying dialogue, then you may be disappointed with this offering.