Latin Moon in Manhattan

Like Manrique, the narrator and protagonist of this debut novel is a Colombian poet transplanted to New York City. Santiago Martinez has come from Bogota 18 years ago, ``from one cocaine capital to another.'' Santiago struggles--with his overprotective mother, who refuses to accept that he is gay; with his nephew, Gene, who wants to be Marlon Brando but works as a messenger for coke dealers; with his cat, Mr. O'Donnell, who is dying; and, fundamentally, with his epic poem on the life of Christopher Columbus. From such highly colored material Manrique fashions this often hilarous and sometimes touching entertainment around the theme of letting go of inhibitions and preconceptions. He casts a knowing eye on the habitu al homesickness of emigres, recording their efforts to recreate their homelands. wherever they settle. The result is a surprisingly sweet work, appealing in its warmth and elegant in its language. (Feb.)