The novel weaves together two distinct eras of Cuban history:
The title questions what it means to be "decent" in a society where corruption and opportunism are often required to survive.
A historical narrative following Alberto Yarini, a real-life legendary pimp and "king" of the Havana underworld, during the peak of the Cuban Republic. Core Themes
Mario Conde continues to be one of Spanish-language literature's most relatable, weary, and nostalgic protagonists.