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A review by book_concierge
Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
4.0
4.5****
Audio book performed by Blair Brown.
This is an historical novel set during the mid-19th century and taking the reader from South America to China to California during the Gold Rush. The story begins in Valparaiso, Chile, where a baby is left on the doorstep of wealthy British importers. Raised as their child, Eliza Sommers is now a young lady and her family begins to screen available young men to find the perfect suitor. But Eliza has a mind of her own. She falls for a handsome, fiery clerk – Joaquin Andieta – and they become lovers. Six weeks after he leaves for California to make his fortune and prepare the way for her, Eliza discovers she is pregnant. With the help of Tao Chi’en, a Chinese shipboard cook, she stows away on a ship bound for San Francisco and disappears from her family’s lives.
This is a sweeping historical epic full of interesting and varied characters and situations. At the core is a search for self, and a look at the roles society assigns to men and women. Allende weaves a seductive story, keeping the reader guessing as to what may happen next. As we careen from adventure to adventure the plot does get a little over-the-top in places, but I forgive Allende her excesses because it’s just such a darn good yarn! I was captivated and enthralled. And I love the ending!
Blair Brown does a wonderful job narrating this epic. There are a lot of characters to keep straight, though most scenes involve only two or three at one time. Her pacing was good, her pronunciation of Spanish names and words perfect, and she kept me totally immersed in the story.
Audio book performed by Blair Brown.
This is an historical novel set during the mid-19th century and taking the reader from South America to China to California during the Gold Rush. The story begins in Valparaiso, Chile, where a baby is left on the doorstep of wealthy British importers. Raised as their child, Eliza Sommers is now a young lady and her family begins to screen available young men to find the perfect suitor. But Eliza has a mind of her own. She falls for a handsome, fiery clerk – Joaquin Andieta – and they become lovers. Six weeks after he leaves for California to make his fortune and prepare the way for her, Eliza discovers she is pregnant. With the help of Tao Chi’en, a Chinese shipboard cook, she stows away on a ship bound for San Francisco and disappears from her family’s lives.
This is a sweeping historical epic full of interesting and varied characters and situations. At the core is a search for self, and a look at the roles society assigns to men and women. Allende weaves a seductive story, keeping the reader guessing as to what may happen next. As we careen from adventure to adventure the plot does get a little over-the-top in places, but I forgive Allende her excesses because it’s just such a darn good yarn! I was captivated and enthralled. And I love the ending!
Blair Brown does a wonderful job narrating this epic. There are a lot of characters to keep straight, though most scenes involve only two or three at one time. Her pacing was good, her pronunciation of Spanish names and words perfect, and she kept me totally immersed in the story.