Carlos Rubio

After reading forgotten Objects by Carlos Rubio, I was curious about his other works and chose Orpheus’ Blues as my next read. When I began reading this novel, I was not terribly interested in the world of jazz. However, with Rubio’s ability to draw the reader into the story, I found myself wanting to learn more about the subject. Jack, the main character, has challenges with his life and although he seems to attract people that are willing (and eager) to help him, he appears rather cold and detached until the end of the book. At the end, Jack experiences a devastating loss. At that time, he appears to find himself and the reader is left wanting to know what happens to him after the story ends. Rubio adds characters throughout the book who always have a message for Jack (although the message is often not obvious). From George and Hans, to Carolyn and Lorraine, each of these people could easily have a book of their own, so strong are their personalities and stories. Whether you love jazz or not, you’ll love this fabulous story.… (more)

Once again, author Carlos Rubio draws us into his character as if we were walking alongside him. While this book could be considered depressing reading, it really is not - it merely represents one man's desire to be with the love of his life, his deceased wife. It doesn't matter what he has to do to accomplish that goal, and when he finds a valid reason for taking that next step, it seems a natural thing to do. The main character was a minor character in Forgotten Objects, and provides the answer to the "what happens to this guy" question. A fairly short, but very complex, book to read. I'm only sorry I am unable to read Spanish so I could enjoy other of Rubio's works.… (more)