I gave this book two stars.

\\tTo be honest, it wasn't exactly what one would consider interesting. As I reached the middle of the book, the only thing that excited me was the thought of finishing it.

\\tHowever, instead of simply giving it one star, I felt it deserved another. The reason being that the feeling one got when reading it and the detail were really good.

\\tIt made you start to like the characters as the story progressed, but also feel sad for them later on when they were elderly and couldn't help themselves anymore.

\\tIn conclusion, it was an okay book, just not my personal style. It had its good points in terms of detail and character development, but overall, it didn't quite capture my interest as much as I would have liked.

I have a great passion for books that skillfully alternate between the narratives of two distinct individuals in two separate time periods. This particular book, "Saving the World," was an absolute delight for me as it precisely met my preference.

The story unfolds with two remarkable women, one from a bygone century and the other from the present. Both are engaged in humanitarian missions that not only aim to make a difference in the world but also serve as quests for self-discovery.

The tales of these two women are so captivating that whenever the story shifts from one to the other, I find myself filled with a sense of disappointment. However, within moments, I am irresistibly drawn back into the alternate narrative, completely engrossed in the experiences and emotions of the other woman.

"Saving the World" is a truly engaging and thought-provoking read that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eagerly anticipating each new chapter and the revelations that await.

I am a huge fan of Julia Alvarez, and her works usually captivate me. However, this particular one was a bit more challenging to read.

Its structure is rather didactic, with alternating narrators and stories that are divided between two women. One is the author herself, who has to cope with love and loss in Vermont. The other is her character, a fictionalized portrayal of a real woman who played a crucial role in bringing a smallpox vaccine to the new world.

Both narrative voices are engaging, yet neither of them is truly given sufficient attention. Instead, the overall intention seems to be to direct your focus towards the similarities between the two women, who are actually very different. But this becomes overly and painfully obvious, to the extent that it strains believability.

Having said that, despite a slow beginning, this novel is still quite readable. It is interesting and provides valuable information. And like all of Alvarez's novels, it contains grains of truth and a powerful voice on matters of love, especially, which will always draw me back to her works.

I have given this book a great deal of thought, and I find myself in a bit of a quandary when it comes to rating it star-wise.

There are certain aspects of the book that are exquisitely and ingeniously written, to the extent that I simply couldn't tear myself away from it. However, there are also sections that are rather tiresome and lackluster, causing me to frequently put the book down.

The central character is Alma, a writer residing in Vermont with her husband Richard. At the age of 49, nearly 50, she appears to be experiencing a bit of a midlife crisis as she struggles to complete a novel that is under contract with her publisher. Initially, I thought this would be the main focus of the book, but I was mistaken. With the numerous twists and turns in the plot, it actually delves into the theme of the "haves and have-nots" in developed and underdeveloped countries. While I am generally quite concerned about this issue, I was truly astonished when the book took this unexpected turn, and I felt completely unprepared for it. Unfortunately, Alma can sometimes be a bit whiny and trying, which prevented me from rating the book as highly as some of its other sections deserved.

The contrasting story in the novel is about Isabel, a woman who embarked on an expedition to Central and South America and beyond in 1803 with the aim of inoculating the people against smallpox. As it turns out, this is a historical fact - that people discovered that if humans were exposed to the bovine version of smallpox, it would immunize them against the human version, potentially saving thousands of lives. This is the part of the novel that feels the most genuine, and I adore Julia Alvarez's meticulous attention to the details of Isabel's life, especially her experiences on board the ship as the only woman.

Despite some of its flaws, I would still recommend this book. It truly compels the reader to question why we act as if some people's lives are disposable in our pursuit of knowledge and opportunity.

Great history on the eradication of smallpox in the mid-1800's.

It is truly fascinating to discover that during that era, not just one but multiple methods were being developed simultaneously.

The fictional character development of the real people involved was executed extremely well.

The story is, in fact, two stories intertwined as one.

One takes place in the present day, following the life of an author who is delving deep into the history of the smallpox vaccine for her new book.

And then, there is a seamless reversal in time back to that very time period.

This book is truly a great read, offering a unique perspective on a significant historical event and captivating the reader with its engaging narrative and well-developed characters.

It not only educates about the past but also keeps the reader hooked with its dual-storyline structure.

Overall, it is a remarkable piece of work that combines history and fiction in a masterful way.

This is a truly fascinating historical fiction that delves into the remarkable delivery of the smallpox vaccine across Latin America and the world, employing human carriers.

It weaves together two engaging stories within one narrative, offering not only an exciting read but also a valuable history lesson.

This is a great "girl power" book, as it showcases the strength and determination of female characters in the face of challenges.

If you have a penchant for historical fiction and books that inspire and build strength through adversity, then this book should definitely be added to your reading list.

It offers a unique perspective on a significant historical event and is sure to captivate readers with its compelling story and well-developed characters.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore this engaging and educational book.

I found it extremely clever how Alvarez managed to incorporate the protagonist's interest in writing a historical fiction novel into the story.

Every other chapter is presented from the perspective of Isabel, a Spanish nun, and her embarkation on the Maria Pita together with the 22 little orphan boys under her guardianship.

My favorite segments of Saving the World were precisely these historical fiction pieces.

Through them, I was able to gain knowledge about the Spanish expedition to introduce the smallpox vaccine to the Americas and the unrest that prevailed among the new colonies against Spanish rule.

It was fascinating to see how Alvarez wove together these historical elements with the fictional narrative, creating a rich and engaging story that not only entertained but also educated.

The contrast between the modern-day protagonist's pursuit of writing and the historical events unfolding through Isabel's eyes added depth and complexity to the overall plot.

Overall, this aspect of the book was a masterful touch that enhanced my reading experience and made me appreciate the author's skill and creativity.

I listened to this as an audio book and it was truly a remarkable experience. The stories of Alma and Isabelle were both engaging and captivating. Alma's journey was filled with challenges and growth, while Isabelle's story was one of love and sacrifice. The narrators did an excellent job of bringing these characters to life, making it easy to become invested in their lives.

As I listened, I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author had created. The details were vivid and the情节were well-developed, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout. I also appreciated the way that the two stories intertwined, adding an extra layer of depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

Overall, I would highly recommend this audio book to anyone looking for a great listen. It is a beautiful and moving story that will stay with you long after you have finished listening.

A slight disappointment after loving all her other books I've read. There is a little bit of preachiness in it, but overall, it is still a compelling story.

The book alternates back and forth between the protagonist's story and the book she is writing. The story within the book is truly excellent. I found myself repeatedly wishing that she would just skip the modern-day, author's story and solely focus on the tale of the sea-faring adventure. It was so engaging and captivating that I couldn't help but be drawn in. However, the modern-day parts did have their moments and added some depth to the overall narrative. Despite my initial disappointment, I still found myself enjoying the book and looking forward to seeing how the two storylines would ultimately come together.

I'm currently engaged in learning about the remarkable event of how the "New World" was rescued from the clutches of the Small Pox virus.

The nun who tags along with her orphan boys during the journey is truly astonishing. Her presence brings a sense of warmth and care in the midst of this perilous adventure.

On the other hand, there's the other main character, a modern-day novelist. She is delving into the research of the Royal Expedition of the Vaccine, the very expedition that carried the cure for smallpox.

At present, the novelist is going through a phase in her life where she constantly questions what it all means. Unfortunately, this makes her come across as a bit whiny at times.

Nevertheless, her research is expected to bring about a transformation within her. I truly hope that it does, as it could potentially lead to a profound change in her perspective and understanding of life.

It will be interesting to see how her journey of discovery unfolds and how she ultimately overcomes her inner turmoil.

Overall, this story has the potential to be a captivating exploration of history, human nature, and the power of research to change lives.

This is an excellent book that presents the captivating stories of two women who lived 200 years apart, yet their lives are intriguingly intertwined. The author has done a remarkable job in handling a rather difficult concept, making it accessible and engaging for the readers.

It also offers an interesting bit of history. The scene set in 1803, during the origin of the smallpox vaccine, is truly moving. The vaccine was being transported from Spain to the New World in a rather unique way. Liquid from a cowpox sore was transferred to "carriers", and then after 10 days to 2 weeks, it was transferred again to new carriers. Interestingly, the ship carried two dozen orphan boys for this very purpose. Each time, the transfer was done to 2 boys to ensure that the vaccine was not lost.

Overall, the book is very well done, leaving a lasting impression on the readers with its engaging narrative and historical significance.

I truly love this book.

It presents two parallel stories of two extremely interesting women. The contemporary one, Ana, is a writer who is unfortunately suffering from writer's block. She struggles to find the inspiration and words to continue her work.

The other woman, on the other hand, has endured a great tragedy as she lost her family to smallpox. Despite this, she has agreed to embark on a courageous journey to vaccinate people in the New World.

The reading experience is engaging and wonderful. It keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end, eager to discover how the two stories will unfold and intersect.

However, I must admit that I didn't enjoy the ending too much. It felt a bit rushed or perhaps not as satisfying as I had hoped. But at least the author managed to tie the two stories together, which was a redeeming factor.

Overall, this book is a great read, with its captivating stories and well-developed characters.