“Allende is a master storyteller at the peak of her powers.” — Los Angeles Times From the sugar plantations of Saint-Domingue to the lavish parlors of New Orleans at the turn of the 19th century, the latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Isabel Allende (Inés of My Soul, The House of the Spirits, Portrait in Sepia) tells the story of a mulatta woman, a slave and concubine, determined … woman, a slave and concubine, determined to take control of her own destiny.
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The characters, of course, were brilliant. But also, I learned about a world I never knew, a world that explains so much about today. Loved it.
Gorgeous, haunting historical epic following several intertwined stories in Saint Domingue (Haiti) at the turn of the the 19th century, then following some of the same characters to New Orleans and beyond. Not for the faint of heart, with slavery, rape, violence and abuse prevalent throughout the story, but beautifully written by Allende, an …
Great story about slavery in the and the struggles they faced to survive.
I found this book fascinating. Slavery is a hard subject to read about and to try to comprehend. In this book based on the French owned islands in the early 1800 dealt with the uprising of the sugar cane plantations and a young slave that lived the best life possible a a kept woman of the owner but did that mean she had a good life….by no …
As ever, Allende writes beautifully. A history well told about a country’s history which is not well known. Her writing brings the times, history and characters to life. A wonderful read.
A very well written historical novel about the slave revolt in Haiti with great characters.
Not even close to her best book, but still an entertaining read. Speaks to what a wonderful gift we have in Isabel Allende
When I read Isabel’s books I feel I learn about another culture by way of interesting storytelling.
A beautiful and rich novel with depth, complexity, mysticism, and insight into the human condition. The entire time I was reading this book, I felt that the heat of the tropical setting (which felt like its own character) forced the other characters to live more closely to many of the more primitive elements of human beings — like lust, greed, …
Like all Allende books, this is compelling and well-written. It is a historical fiction about the slave uprising in Haiti and ultimate migration of many of the characters to New Orleans.
Such a wonderful read!
Isabel Allende knows how to write a classic.
With an ear to the nuances of language, Allende brings to life a horrible era in world history, slavery. She creates characters we want to survive–nor not. She presents unthinkable acts without resorting to lurid descriptions. She creates scenes of tenderness and beauty. Her language flows. She is one of that rare bred of truly literary authors …
Love the entire book. I recommend it
A book about the Haitian slave rebellion of 1830 may not seem like it would make good material for a novel but the wonderful Isabelle Allende certainly pulls it off. Quite a saga.
Allende tells the story of 30 years in the life of a slave who travels from a sugar plantation to New Orleans, and weaves in the history of France, the U.S., and slave rebellions. A wonderful look at people who thrive.
great period piece during times of slavery and relationships between masters and their slaves.
This is one of the best novels I’ve ever read. Zarité embodies the strength of women all over the world and the willingness to enjoy life and love in spite of hardship.
I read this book after visiting the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana where the focus is on the enslaved people who worked the sugar plantation. I chose this book to explore further the lives of those enslaved. It is a wonderfully written book and most informative that I highly recommend.
Fantastic and well, well written. Leaves you wanting more.