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Search - Daughter of Fortune
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Daughter of Fortune Author: |
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Book Information
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio CD (Unabridged), Paperback, Audio Cassette (Unabridged)
Book Description:
Orphaned at birth, Eliza Sommers is raised in the British colony of ValparaÍso, Chile, by the well-intentioned Victorian spinster Miss Rose and her more rigid brother Jeremy. Just as she meets and falls in love with the wildly inappropriate JoaquÍn Andieta, a lowly clerk who works for Jeremy, gold is discovered in the hills of northern California. By 1849, Chileans of every stripe have fallen prey to feverish dreams of wealth. JoaquÍn takes off for San Francisco to seek his fortune, and Eliza, pregnant with his child, decides to follow him.
So begins Isabel Allende's enchanting new novel, Daughter of Fortune, her most ambitious work of fiction yet. As we follow her spirited heroine on a perilous journey north in the hold of a ship to the rough-and-tumble world of San Francisco and northern California, we enter a world whose newly arrived inhabitants are driven mad by gold fever. A society of single men and prostitutes among whom Eliza moves--with the help of her good friend and savior, the Chinese doctor Tao Chien--California opens the door to a new life of freedom and independence for the young Chilean. Her search for the elusive JoaquÍn gradually turns into another kind of journey that transforms her over time, and what began as a search for love ends up as the conquest of personal freedom. By the time she finally hears news of him, Eliza must decide who her true love really is.
Daughter of Fortune is a sweeping portrait of an era, a story rich in character, history, violence, and compassion. In Eliza, Allende has created one of her most appealing heroines, an adventurous, independent-minded, and highly unconventional young woman who has the courage to reinvent herself and to create her own destiny in a new country. A marvel of storytelling, Daughter of Fortune confirms once again Isabel Allende's extraordinary gift for fiction and her place as one of the world's leading writers.
So begins Isabel Allende's enchanting new novel, Daughter of Fortune, her most ambitious work of fiction yet. As we follow her spirited heroine on a perilous journey north in the hold of a ship to the rough-and-tumble world of San Francisco and northern California, we enter a world whose newly arrived inhabitants are driven mad by gold fever. A society of single men and prostitutes among whom Eliza moves--with the help of her good friend and savior, the Chinese doctor Tao Chien--California opens the door to a new life of freedom and independence for the young Chilean. Her search for the elusive JoaquÍn gradually turns into another kind of journey that transforms her over time, and what began as a search for love ends up as the conquest of personal freedom. By the time she finally hears news of him, Eliza must decide who her true love really is.
Daughter of Fortune is a sweeping portrait of an era, a story rich in character, history, violence, and compassion. In Eliza, Allende has created one of her most appealing heroines, an adventurous, independent-minded, and highly unconventional young woman who has the courage to reinvent herself and to create her own destiny in a new country. A marvel of storytelling, Daughter of Fortune confirms once again Isabel Allende's extraordinary gift for fiction and her place as one of the world's leading writers.
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Top Member Book Reviews
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a very engaging book and I felt interested throughout. I hope you like it as much as I did!
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Allende is a great writer. I couldn't put this book down. A great story and great adventure.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Beautiful story of a young woman's journey in pursuit of her love to 1849 San Fransisco.
Mary B. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have read every one of Isabel Allende's book and this one was just as engaging as all of the others. Full of interesting characters, a hint of the paranormal, fascinating looks at other cultures,a bit of adventure and uncensored peeks into the trials faced by some immigrants. Highly recommended.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a wonderful historical fiction story of a young, independent woman who runs away from her home in Chile to follow her "true" love to California during the Gold Rush. Along the way she endures many hardships and learns a lot about who she is and what she wants out of life. This is a great book for a book club because there are many topics to discuss - the role of women in society, nature vs. nuture, racism, the Gold Rush to name a few. You learn a lot about the Gold Rush, which is a facinating subject unto itself.
Merry H. reviewed 5/3/2009...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of my favorite authors has created yet another masterpiece. This story takes you back in time and elevates your consciousness to feel the compassion for the trials and tribulations that the characters endure. If you loved the other Chilean author Isabelle Allende tales of passion like I did, "Of Love and Shadows", "Stories of Eva Luna", "House of Spirits", etc., you'll also love "Daughter of Fortune". As is typical of Allende stories, she builds a magical journey for her characters and you feel like you are along for the ride.
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If you haven't read this great book....you should!! What a wonderful author to spin the stories that suck you right in! Make it yours!
Paper S. (The Gold Rush Days as I had not seen them, A learning experience for me!
Very interesting - especially how the story comes full circle. Would definately try another one of this author's books.
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