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Daughter of Fortune
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Daughter of Fortune
Author: Isabel Allende

Book Information
Publisher: Perennial
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780060932756 - ISBN-10: 0060932759
Publication Date: 9/2000
Pages: 416


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio CD (Unabridged), Audio Cassette (Unabridged)

Book Description:

An Orphan raised in Valparaiso, Chile, by a Victorian spinster and her rigid brother, young, vivacious Eliza Sommers follows her lover to California during the Gold Rush of 1849.  She enters a rough-and-tumble world whose newly arrived inhabitants are driven mad by gold 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 lover gradually turns into another kind of journey, and by the time she finally hears news of him, Eliza must decide who her true love really is.



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PaulaRetrato En Sepia: NovelaPortrait in SepiaThe House of the SpiritsEva Luna


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Top Member Book Reviews

Megan (bananapancakes) wrote on 5/2/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

I have read this several times.. the only reason i am giving one up is because i received one as a gift. All of Allende's books are great.

Grayce P. (yorkfield) wrote on 8/15/2006...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

A terrific, well researched, tale of life during the Gold Rush of 1849. You can read it as the search of a woman for her lost love, or you can read it for details of life at that time and in that place. After I finished it, I followed with a history of the Gold Rush.

Candy B. (candieb) wrote on 2/8/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

This one started out really very slow for me. The first 75 pages or so really drag out the set up to this novel. The middle section is really good, the parts once they reach SFO are fascinating. Then it ends. Really abruptly. I'm left feeling that the author didn't finish the story. Where's the rest of it? Did she reach some pre-determined page count and then had to stop? A pretty good book, would be better with less at the beginning and more at the end.

Kristin (CozyLover) wrote on 8/26/2005...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

It took me a long time to get into this book. It was very slow moving and not as captivating as I had hoped. Although it received rave reviews, I found it lacking in substance.

Terri V. (MaddieFAM) wrote on 6/20/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

To be honest, I'm still not sure if I liked this book or not.

While the main character is listed as Eliza, it seems that nearly every character you come across has their own (lengthy) backstory that almost rivals hers. They're all inter-connected in some way but not to a degree that we really need to know all of that information.

Don't get me wrong, Allende has a fantastic way of writing that brings the details to life. It was a quick and easy read with beautiful imagery and interesting stories. It held my attention enough that I wanted to finish it but I thought it really started to shine towards the end of the novel. The end is so abrupt that I went online to make sure my copy hadn't had pages torn out.

Good read for historical fiction fans.

ANNA S. (SanJoseCa) wrote on 11/1/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

A historical novel "seasoned" by four cultures,--English, Chilean, Chinese, and American. Set during the California Gold Rush, this adventure story is filled with romance, passion and great storytelling!

Deborah T. wrote on 6/30/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book was historic, and brillantly delved into a gutsy young woman's travels to a Gold Rush California. This felt so real. It was enthralling.

Susan R. wrote on 10/27/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I loved this story. From Chile to the Gold Rush of California, the characters are rich and take you along with them on an adventure. "Portrait in Sepia" also by Allende, follows the characters and their families further in generations. Fantastic read!


Please Rate these Book Reviews

(J-R-) wrote on 4/13/2009...


This book seems like it would like to be the Chilean "Gone with the Wind," but it doesn't make it. Still, it's an interesting story with insights into the lives of 19th century women, much determined by class and status, and the spirit of one young woman that takes her from claustrophobic comfort in Chile to the freedom and danger of the California Gold Rush.


DARRELL S. (darrellsnodgrass) wrote on 8/31/2008...


Excellent family saga story line. The ending pleasantly suprised me on how loose ends came together.

Lindsay C. wrote on 3/28/2008...


She is amazing... I am now reading all of her books.

Jamie D. (JamieLynn) wrote on 6/3/2007...


Very well written. Interesting characters. Love it!

Ellen G. wrote on 5/6/2007...


Beautifully written, magical realism

Linda S. wrote on 3/26/2007...


A wonderful story of searching for love the back drop of 18th century Chile and California. Couldnt put down.

Tammie L. (tamm) wrote on 2/25/2007...


This is a Oprah Book club book. I like this book.

Abbey S. (lovesotters) wrote on 12/9/2006...


This was an interesting perspective on the California Gold Rush...

Susan D. wrote on 8/28/2006...


Historical fiction with a twist. Very good storytelling.

Nancy M. (ImL8) wrote on 8/12/2006...


Loved the history of California during the gold rush. A very good read, but I didn't realize that this wasn't the first in a series until after I was finished!! But, in this case, it didn't really matter.


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