Rated 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 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 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 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 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 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.
A bold, mesmerizing novel about the woman known as "Typhoid Mary," the first known healthy carrier of typhoid fever in the burgeoning metropolis of early twentieth century New York.
Stranger than fiction, blending tragedy and farce, How to Create the Perfect Wife is an engrossing tale of the radicalism, and deep contradictions, at the heart of the Enlightenment.
Z, the novel about the life of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald is at points charming and; like another reviewer, I kept thinking of the movie, "Midnight...
read more
Although heavy on the scientific details, which slowed down the story for me (OK, I admit, I was one of those liberal arts majors who skipped out on...
read more
Loved this book. Magical, quirky, enchanting I could go on. All books do not have to be literary fiction, sometimes it is just so comforting to read...
read more
U.S. ebook sales up in 2012, but rate of growth is slowing(May 16 2013) In 2012, trade book sales (i.e. non academic book sales) rose 6.9%, to $15.049 billion, and e-book sales continued to grow, although the rate of growth...
Full Story
of 5
by Allende fan 
of 5
by Barbara 
of 5
by Amanda 
