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book_concierge's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't care about the characters. I didn't care for the style of writing. I don't understand how this book could win an award. The person who recommended it to book club, had to go out of town so we never learned what she saw in it.
sarahrussell's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tlctbr's review against another edition
1.0
I really wanted to like this book, but I absolutely hated it. The only good thing about it was that my book club spent a good half hour arguing about the major reasons why we all would give it less than 2 stars.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
3.0
This is a historical novel about the very real person of Eliza Lynch, Irish courtesan, and how Franco Solano, the future dictator of Paraguay, met her in Paris and brought her back to Paraguay with him, along with all of the other items he'd purchased. Ella, stuck after her last relationship ends, is willing to become attached to this short, hairy South American, and to go back to his home country with him. He can't marry her, and she's viewed with distain by his family, but Ella nonetheless carves out a successful life for herself, raising Franco's children and being the center of Paraguayan social life. And then Franco declares war on pretty much everyone, leading to the disastrous Paraguayan War.
Tuck sticks to the historical record in this book, pulling excerpts from the letters and diaries of the many British and American professionals drawn to adventure and profit in Paraguay at that time. This lends it an authenticity, but means that there's less of a sense of who Ella was as a person instead of an historical figure. Ella Lynch led such an unusual life that just reciting the facts of her life make for fascinating reading, but I would have liked at least an imaginary attempt to get inside of her head.
Tuck sticks to the historical record in this book, pulling excerpts from the letters and diaries of the many British and American professionals drawn to adventure and profit in Paraguay at that time. This lends it an authenticity, but means that there's less of a sense of who Ella was as a person instead of an historical figure. Ella Lynch led such an unusual life that just reciting the facts of her life make for fascinating reading, but I would have liked at least an imaginary attempt to get inside of her head.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
3.0
ella lynch is franco lopez's lover. franco becomes the president of paraguay which is soon as war with brazil. a fascinating read that follows threads of several different characters. franco becomes a despotic leader yet ella stands by him during the toughest of times. set during mid to late 1800's.
kscaldwell's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
misajane79's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book, I really did. Political intrigue, women's history, all set in South America. But it was choppy and hard to keep track of characters. And there were a lot of characters. I know very little about South American history, so I can't speak to the historical accuracy of the book, but if I didn't like it much as a novel, I probably would find some issues with the history, if I bothered to look.
sushirito89's review against another edition
2.0
I appreciated the historical context since not much historical fiction about Paraguay is out there. There were too many characters to keep track of, and the Spanish typos irked me (like all the unnecessary eñes), especially if the author is going for authenticity. The gruesome scenes of war, disease, accidents, were interesting to read. Overall didn’t feel like much of a story arc was there.
robynryle's review against another edition
3.0
This was almost like a novel in flash. Short chapters. Fragmented. Still enjoyable.
jbojkov's review against another edition
2.0
I recall very little from this book, but I do remember I did not like it much. I think there was some violence that just seemed gratuitous- not necessary to the story- but it's been awhile since I read the book. Maybe b/c we read Bel Canto the month before- also set a South American country and it was much better.