I truly love her as an author.

However, I have to admit that I don't think her writing has been on par with what it used to be.

When I first heard about the theme of this book, I was a little disappointed.

I was quite certain that it wouldn't be to my taste at all.

Nevertheless, being a loyal fan, I still made my way to the bookstore.

It took me much longer than usual to get through this book.

There were several moments when I thought I wouldn't be able to finish it.

But then, to my surprise, she ended the book with a very emotionally affecting conclusion.

So, yes, this is by no means my favorite book of hers.

But it is definitely better than I initially expected.

Overall, it was an okay read that had its moments of brilliance.

I seem to be on a Dominican - Latin American - History read right now.

I have been reading "Oscar Wao," then "Saving the World," and presently I am engrossed in Isabel Allende's "Inés of My Soul."

It is truly fascinating to read them one after another. "Saving the World" served as an interesting transition. It bridged the gap between the present-day Dominican Republic/United States Diaspora and the historical fiction of a woman's story as she journeyed to the new world.

The different perspectives and time periods presented in these books offer a rich and diverse understanding of Dominican and Latin American history. Each book brings to life the struggles, joys, and complex identities of the characters, making the reading experience both educational and engaging.

As I continue to explore these works, I look forward to delving deeper into the historical and cultural context that shaped this region.

Lately, I have become completely and utterly obsessed with every single thing that Julia Alvarez has ever written. And this book is most definitely no exception.

Alvarez presents two truly compelling narratives in this novel. She alternates each chapter, with one narrative set in the nineties in Vermont and the other taking place in the 1800's during a sea voyage from Spain to the colonies.

With such vastly different narratives, it seems almost不可思议 that the book could work. But somehow, it does. Amazingly, I discovered that the everyday life of Alma, the protagonist in the more present-day narrative, was even more captivating than the historically-based narrative of Isabel and her journey with Balmis across the seas to bring the smallpox vaccine to the New World.

However, I remained thoroughly fascinated by the history that was revealed in the smallpox portion of the novel. In particular, the fact that twenty-two orphan boys risked their very lives to carry the vaccine across an unforgiving sea (even though they really didn't have much of a choice in the matter) was truly eye-opening. As Alvarez so poignantly asks in her afterword, "Must civilization always ride on the backs of those least able to defend themselves?" It's a profound and heavy question, one that is handled with great skill and a deft hand in this narrative.

Still, Alma as a character managed to win my heart completely. I found myself almost rushing through the smallpox chapters just so that I could get back to her story. (And that's why I gave it four stars instead of five.) Overall, though, this novel is written with such meticulous care and deep insight, while at the same time resisting any kind of moralism. I found the ending to be both unexpected and deeply resonant. Now, I simply can't wait to read my next Alvarez novel.

Final note: The amount of research that went into this narrative is absolutely astounding. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who has an interest in historical realistic fiction.

Enter the world of Alma, who is deeply suffering from writer's block regarding her book for which she has already received an advance.

On the other hand, there is Isabel, who is in charge of twenty-one orphans and they are vaccine carriers for a smallpox mission. Alma's husband Richard travels to the Dominican Republic for a humanitarian journey, expecting Alma to accompany him and visit her homeland. However, she chooses to remain at home, grappling with her writer's block and attempting to reconcile the story she was supposed to write with the tale of Isabel's journey that she desires to tell.

Researching and writing about Isabel and the mission to eradicate smallpox assist Alma in her struggle to move forward and reconcile her life with Richard's journey to battle the AIDS epidemic.

The book alternates chapter by chapter between the two characters, with Alma in the present and Isabel in the early 1800s. Each setting has its own allure, drawing the reader in and leaving a longing to know more, to experience a part of each woman's life for just a few more minutes. There is a sense of wishing there was a way to help when the tales take unexpected turns.

Admittedly, it was a little slow in the beginning. I had a tough time transitioning between the two worlds and getting to know the characters. But as the story progressed, their tales managed to capture my attention and draw me forward. Interestingly, I was more intrigued by the tale of Isabel and the smallpox expedition than by Alma's story.

Wow.

This is an absolutely amazing book that you can truly get lost in!

The writing is so hypnotic that it effortlessly takes you back into the past and into a world that is not always sane, as presented in the counterpoint story.

I have a great affection for it, yet it's not an easy read for a summer afternoon.

Rather, it's the kind of book that you would want to curl up by the fire and read several nights in a row.

During the day, you can let the story sink in and truly appreciate its depth.

As I've already mentioned, this book is excellent.

It really has the power to pull you in and place you right in the middle of all the action and emotions.

I thoroughly enjoyed every single page of it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and thought-provoking read.

A historical fiction novel unfolds, captivating readers with the remarkable story of Don Francisco Balmis. He was a courageous Spaniard who embarked on a momentous two-year voyage across the globe with a noble mission - to rid the world of smallpox.

He set sail from Spain accompanied by 22 orphan boys, who were live-carriers of the disease. Their purpose was to vaccinate people and thereby attempt to safeguard future populations from this deadly affliction.

Joining Balmis on this arduous journey was Isabel, the director of an orphanage. She not only accompanied them but also acted as a caregiver and a 'mother' figure to these boys.

However, the path was far from easy. Along the way, they faced hostility and skepticism. The travelers grew weary due to illness and the indifference they encountered.

Parallel to this historical tale, we are introduced to Alma, a modern-day Hispanic novelist. She is intrigued by the story of Balmis and Isabel.

Alma's husband, Richard, a well-intentioned do-gooder and an employee of HI (Help International), travels to the Dominican Republic. His aim is to set up a clinic to research the AIDS epidemic and assist the poverty-stricken population.

Unfortunately, Richard is taken hostage by a radical, yet youthful and inexperienced group. This incident shatters global-relations, diplomacy, and peacefulness.

In the face of this turmoil, Isabel discovers that she is drawing strength from the story of Isabel. She finds reserve in the calm that Isabel's gift as a story-teller brings, which soothes the fears of the orphan boys.

The two stories are told in tandem, immersing the reader equally in both tales as they attempt to meld together, creating a rich and engaging narrative.

This book was truly an extremely interesting and highly intriguing read.

I was completely captivated by the two distinct story lines that ran parallel to each other. It was a masterful construction that kept me engaged from start to finish.

The characters of the two women in the respective stories were so well-developed that I was drawn to them both. Their personal plights were not only touching but also deeply relatable, making me empathize with their struggles and triumphs.

In addition to the compelling fictional narrative, the historical information about the mission to eradicate smallpox was absolutely fascinating. It added a layer of authenticity and depth to the story, allowing me to learn something new while being entertained.

Moreover, I have always appreciated the Dominican culture that Alvarez brings to her books. It is like a rich tapestry that weaves throughout the story, adding color, flavor, and a sense of place.

Overall, this book was a wonderful combination of engaging storytelling, interesting historical facts, and a celebration of a unique culture. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and enjoyable read.

This story unfolds at two distinct points in history.

In the present day, the narrative is poorly written, leaving us deeply disappointed. So much so that we chose not to read that portion at all.

Conversely, the historical account is that of a woman who was persuaded by a man to take some children from an orphanage to the "New World" as carriers of the smallpox vaccine.

She is a well-developed character, as are most of the individuals in this tale. Having been the sole survivor of a smallpox outbreak that wiped out her entire family, she was not someone anyone would envy.

If the author had focused solely on her story, it would have been a book worthy of a much higher rating. However, when considering the work as a whole, I cannot give it the praise that this particular part merits.

It is a pity that the present-day section detracts from the otherwise engaging historical narrative.

Nevertheless, the strength of the historical characters and their story still manages to shine through to some extent.

Perhaps with some improvements to the present-day writing, the overall impact of the book could have been significantly enhanced.

As it stands, it is a somewhat uneven work that leaves room for improvement.

It took me the first hundred or so pages to truly immerse myself in the two stories that are intertwined within this one.

However, once I managed to break through that initial barrier, I found myself "infected with questions" regarding the profound meanings of saving the world, of love, and of learning to let go.

These questions lingered in my mind, captivating my thoughts and emotions as I delved deeper into the narrative.

By the time I reached the end of the book, I had developed a deep affection for it, just as I had for Alvarez's other works.

The story had touched my heart and made me reflect on the complex and beautiful aspects of life.

It was a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it through the pages of this remarkable book.

Historical fiction and contemporary fiction are combined in this story. Alma, a novelist from the Dominican Republic, is facing a terrible case of writer's block. Her husband has been sent to the Dominican Republic on business, which only adds to her stress.

Alma's writing interest then turns to the story of a Spanish woman, Dona Isabel, who is traveling with an expedition to eradicate smallpox throughout the known world. As Alma delves deeper into Dona Isabel's story, she finds herself more and more intrigued.

However, in the meantime, Alma's husband is taken hostage in the DR. This puts Alma in a difficult position as she tries to balance her writing and her concern for her husband.

Overall, while the character of Alma may not have been particularly likable, the historical character of Dona Isabel was a fascinating addition to the story. Her adventures and the challenges she faced made for an engaging read.

Alvarez does not pen fairy tales, and as a result, I found myself disappointed in the conclusion of the book. However, up until that point, she had managed to hold my attention.

Interwoven with the contemporary narrative is the historical account, fictionalized to some extent, of the Spanish mission in the early 19th century to eradicate smallpox. This aspect was truly captivating. I had no prior knowledge of it, and it opened my eyes to a fascinating period in history.

The way Alvarez combines these two storylines creates a unique and engaging reading experience. While the ending may not have lived up to my expectations, the overall journey through the book was still worthwhile. It made me think about the past and its impact on the present, and left me with a newfound appreciation for the efforts of those who came before us.

Despite my initial disappointment, I would still recommend this book to others. It offers a fresh perspective on history and a thought-provoking exploration of human nature.

I heard that In The Time of Butterflies by the same author was really good but haven't read it yet.

This book was interesting as it delved into a topic that I knew nothing about, which was the history of how the smallpox vaccine began.

There is rough language in the middle of the story, especially when spoken by angry teenage boys. However, it seemed appropriate in the context of the story.

The comparison of the two women and their relationships with the men in their lives is truly fascinating. It makes one think about the different ways in which women interact with and are influenced by the men around them.

Overall, this book has been a great read so far and I'm looking forward to seeing how the story progresses. I'm also intrigued to see if the author will explore more of the historical background of the smallpox vaccine and how it affected society at that time.

I'm sure that In The Time of Butterflies will be just as good, if not better, and I can't wait to get my hands on it and find out.