My Blog List

Friday, July 1, 2011

Review Isabelle Allende's DAUGHTER OF FORTUNE



Set in mid nineteenth century covering four continents, innumerable races and languages this book is a translation from its original Spanish.

Eliza Sommers (mysterious origins) left on the doorstep of the Sommers residence - in a crate wrapped in a cardigan - and sometimes said in a basket with a mink blanket is brought up as the daughter of the house by Rose Sommers a spinster who is English and supposedly very correct. The other influence is huge is Mama Fresias an Indian servant from whom Eliza learns everything there is to know about culinary skills and native medicines.

At sixteen Eliza falls in love with an impoverished labourer knowing fully well that this alliance will not be tolerated by the Sommers. The liaison continues and Joaquim decides to join the Californian gold rush and disappears. Eliza follows in a cunningly detailed plot which is impossible to unravel, using skills she has hitherto not known she possessed.

Apart from Eliza whose character seems to be like Gemini - all the others occupying the Sommer residence seems to be similar. We have Rose seemingly correct with a hugely colorful past and future as well with her secret writings of erotica and then we have her brother John finally shown as Eliza's father which comes as a massive shock to the more orthodox brother Jeremy.

The book then turns to history which is brought magically alive. Again, my knowledge of the gold rush and the effect it had on America was almost zero. The discovery of gold and the people who came from far and near to exploit the mines, the miners and the way it changed that part of the world is beautifully written by Allende. The development and degradation of towns, the development of steam ships and the trade which resulted as a result of the gold rush are all documented with much detail.

The pursuit of Joaquin by Eliza and the story behind her travels in her trying to locate him is the main subject of the story.Involving very interesting characters from the Chinaman Tao to prostitutes with hearts of gold, a madam of a salon masquerading as a man Eliza's travels have a touch of fantasy and magic which make you want to see a happy outcome. Half way through the story we realize that Eliza is in pursuit of a dream because this is what she set out to do, her boats are burnt and there is no going back. She however has drifted away from her initial passionate love for him. Joaquin has turned vigilante and Eliza is never sure even at the end whether the vigilante Joaquin is her lover or not.


I am definitely going to look out for Allende's other books of which there are several - all coming highly recommended. This book was magic to read.

11 comments:

  1. I love historical fiction, will have to make a note of these two books, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I read two or three books by her years go and I really liked them. I should go back and read more ;:D

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your reviews, you always introduce me to great books that I've never heard of.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have seen her books for sale in the stores here-thanks for letting me see I would probably like them in your very well done review

    ReplyDelete
  5. i remember starting this in high school but i didn't finish it, don't know why 'cause it sounds so good here. great review as always :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I didn't read your whole review ... simply scrolled down to the end to see how much you liked this one, as it's on my TBR bookshelf already. Apparently, I have a treat in store!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really liked this one a lot; Allende always teaches so much all while throwing in that bit if magic realism that is so captivating.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks so much for your review! I have this book at home (still not read). I love fiction about the American gold rush, so this should be interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Stopping by from Cym Lowell's book review party.
    Historical fiction is great and so is Isabelle Allende.

    If you can stop by: http://bookboundmusings.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-aint-she-sweet-by-susan.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love historical fiction...this looks so good...thanks for the review.

    NEW FOLLOWER.

    Stopping by from Cym Lowell's Book Review Party.

    Stop by my blog to see my book listed on Cym's linky and for a giveaway of NIGHT TRAIN by Clyde Edgerton...courtesy of Anna Balasi of Little, Brown and Company.

    Contest is on until July 25.

    Hope to see you there.

    Elizabeth

    http://silversolara.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Glad to see you liked this book. I remember really enjoying it when I read it several years ago. If you want to read more Allende, I highly recommend Ines of My Soul and Island Beneath the Sea.

    ReplyDelete