The Lost Steps, a novel by a Cuban born author, Alejo Carpentier, tells the story of a man departing what he holds to be an unworthy and empty existence in New York City where he works as a composer. In the novel, the narrator leads a life by day constrained to society and by night, a life encompassed by excessive vices such as his sexual endeavors and explicit drinking. The narrator of the story goes on a journey, deep into a glorious forest, untouched by the civilization he associates himself with: 8 hour work days, nights spent wallowing into the bottom of alcoholic bottles- never-ending cycle. He must go into the jungle not only for escape but for his own type of business- his search for self worth and self meaning. Is his existence limited to nightly flings with his mistress and by day hastily working on musical composure...