An adventure to the California Gold Fields of 1849

This is an interesting historical fiction about a Chilean woman, Eliza Sommers, who comes to San Francisco during the California Gold Rush. She is hunting for her lover, Joaquin Andiata, who left Chile for the gold fields of California.

The book is well written and researched. Allende states she spent seven years researching this book. So many books have people coming from Europe to the California Gold Rush. It was great to read a story where the key people come from South America. Allende is a great storyteller, and I felt I was with Eliza in Chile, on the ship and in California. I could almost hear, smell and see the scenes she described. The ending left me feeling as if the book was not over. Is this book part of a series or trilogy? I noted the book was published in 1998 in Spanish by Plaza & Janes and translated to English in 1999. It was featured as in Oprah’s Book Club in February 2000. I recommend this book.

The book is thirteen hours and nineteen minutes. Blair Brown does a good job narrating the book. Brown is a Tony Award winning actress. Brown also won the Ace Award and was nominated for five Emmy Awards. I wondered if the narration would have been even better if done by a person with a native Chilian/Spanish accent.

4 people found this helpful

I'm a believer of this type of love

The old fashioned novel have a place but this books also has a place in getting to know yourself as female. I got to reflect in many aspects of my life and verbalize what it was missing. The author not only explored the role of a female in many layers of society, she also explore topics that we are still living today without fantasizing the details.

2 people found this helpful

I thought this book would never end!

I think the first half of this book could have been more condensed. It went on and on, then the plot became more interesting. If it hadn’t been a book club book, I would have laid it down after the first 100 pages.

Isabel Allende never disappoints

I discovered her books a few years ago and enjoyed every one. This is no different. A delightful and engrossing story although I am still struggling with the ending. Great narration.

Did not Disappoint

I am always looking forward to reading or listening to the style of writing of Isabel Allende. The narrator 's voice was perfect. I would have like to know more of the characters future.