To damn the demons of tragedy, 13 Jun 1999
Despite the horrors revealed in this mini-autobiography the true story must never be lost. Reinaldo Arenas never surrendered to the demons of self-pity and delusion, despite the hell he encountered on the road to Calvary. What a journey! What a man!

This is one of the best pictures of Cuba's reality., 06 May 1999
I really enjoyed this book. As I said before, Reinaldo Arena described in a very Cuban way the reality of the gay community in pre-revolutionary time, the persecution and the double repression he had to suffer because his duality as a gay and as an independent writer censored by the Castro machinery.

Wonderfully disturbing and poignant, 15 Apr 1999
I learned more about Castro's regime than in any history book I've ever read. Its frightening to know that such terrible ostracities occur so close to our shores, as I don't doubt they are still happening. It is also inspiring to read about the human spirit and its fortitude. I have purchased Arena's other books to read. His style is a clash between raw earth and intellect. I recommend for serious reading.

really great -- really harsh -- really funny, 11 Oct 1998
This book is a pleasure to read, though the subject matter is quite harsh. Arenas writes in such a manner as to draw the reader in. His themes are treated with wonderful humor that does not diminish their power.

To damn the demons of tragedy, 13 Jun 1999
Despite the horrors revealed in this mini-autobiography the true story must never be lost. Reinaldo Arenas never surrendered to the demons of self-pity and delusion, despite the hell he encountered on the road to Calvary. What a journey! What a man!

This is one of the best pictures of Cuba's reality., 06 May 1999
I really enjoyed this book. As I said before, Reinaldo Arena described in a very Cuban way the reality of the gay community in pre-revolutionary time, the persecution and the double repression he had to suffer because his duality as a gay and as an independent writer censored by the Castro machinery.

Wonderfully disturbing and poignant, 15 Apr 1999
I learned more about Castro's regime than in any history book I've ever read. Its frightening to know that such terrible ostracities occur so close to our shores, as I don't doubt they are still happening. It is also inspiring to read about the human spirit and its fortitude. I have purchased Arena's other books to read. His style is a clash between raw earth and intellect. I recommend for serious reading.

really great -- really harsh -- really funny, 11 Oct 1998
This book is a pleasure to read, though the subject matter is quite harsh. Arenas writes in such a manner as to draw the reader in. His themes are treated with wonderful humor that does not diminish their power.

The best Book I ever read (Christophe, 21), 19 Nov 1998
Areinas is what Picasso and Dali are to painting. In the Doorman, he details many aspects of human being personnalites who often are not human... A lot of humour, love, surrealism... and a great escape for your imagination