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Daughter of Fortune

Daughter of Fortune
by Isabel Allende
Hardcover: Oct 1999,
416 pages.
Paperback: Sep 2000,
400 pages.

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Rated 1 of 5 of 5 by Allende fan
Daughter of Fortune Review
What could have been a brilliant work of fiction, what with its thorough research and exquisite writing, becomes instead a trashy novel, filled with immoral sexual activity and explicit pornographic details. Also a turnoff is the implied negativity aimed at Catholicism and the praise of witchcraft. Even Allende's ethereal way with words is not enough to atone for the pre-marital sexual activity. My recommendation: do not read this book; instead take up the Alexander Cold series -- well-written, imaginative and, best of all, clean.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Barbara
Daughter of Fortune
I really enjoyed Isabel Allende's "Daughter of Fortune." The plot is easily predictable, with Allende giving plenty of clues as to how the story will develop, even after the last page. But the intrigue wasn't in the story line, as much as it was in the wonderful descriptions of the characters' lives. The similar beginnings of Tao's and Eliza's lives, how their societies shaped their motivation, and their experiences as outsiders in a land full of outsiders was fascinating.

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Amanda
A good, easy read but still the same old romance novel. I was left disappointed with the ending, I wished it would have been more definitive. I have a hard time seeing the two characters together. I would compare it to Danielle Steel novels. They are fun to read yet somewhat lacking in substance. I thought some of the sexual descripitions were not needed for the story line. I think the sexual references would have been better had it been more about love and less about self-fulfiment.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by miburo
Well, I didn't like this book as much as my other novel, memoirs of a geisha. However, the details of the character's background, especially Tao Chi'en's, is really well prepared. A good read, even though the ending could be improved.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Margaret
This was a pretty good book. I usually just read a book to read it, but I couldn't do that for this one. I actually had to READ it. And it did go slowly in the begining, but I still felt compelled to finish, even if it was for school. It wasn't about all the glory about being a feminist in a male society. The character was very real. I finished reading the book much more satisfied then I was when I began. I may even read it again. Each character has a story of its own, and even though the plots are somewhat basic, theyare interwovenwithwounderful detial and feeling that make the book what it is.

Rated 1 of 5 of 5 by stephanie 1
I STRONGLY dislike this book. I am an avid reader but the strong sexual commentation in the book turns me away. I am seriously questioning wether or not I can finish the book, but I have to for english. If you do not like reading don't read this book. If you love reading don't read this book unless you 30-40 years of age. It just wont appeal to you.
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