I actively made the decision to stop reading this book when I was over three-fourths of the way through. Enough was truly enough. And it is a rare thing for me to stop a book once I have begun it.

I was quite surprised at myself. I had adored Alvarez's "In the Time of the Butterflies", but this book was nowhere near up to that excellent standard. It was interesting to a certain extent. It had to be, in order for me to get that far through it. However, then the present-day half of the story just became far too ridiculous. I disliked the main character throughout. She seemed to be a shallowly disguised version of Alvarez herself, with all her complaints about writer's block and the publishing industry. But her actions during her visit to the Dominican Republic just became completely unbelievable and outlandish. The 19th century half of the story was definitely the better part of the book. But in the end, it still wasn't good enough to make me want to keep slogging through the present-day drivel.

I felt that I had wasted my time on this book and was glad to finally put it down. I hope that Alvarez's future works will be more in line with the quality of "In the Time of the Butterflies".

I've just read the review here, and I'm truly wondering what exactly I'm getting myself into.

I've only just begun this book. While I can't claim that I'm devouring it with great enthusiasm, it has been readable so far.

I'm sure there will be more to discover as I get into it deeper. However, I have to say that this is a thoroughly depressing book.

The only thing that held my interest was the smallpox story line, which, apparently, is based on facts.

But overall, there is just too much depression and mental anguish for me to handle. It makes me feel rather down and heavy-hearted as I read through it.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish this book, given how it's affecting my mood.

Maybe as I continue reading, something might change and make it a more bearable experience. But for now, it's just a rather disheartening read.

I've read a significant number of her books. She happens to be a professor at Middlebury, which gives her works an added layer of credibility and depth. Among all of them, I particularly liked this one.

It's a dual story that unfolds in a fascinating way. There's a fictional 50-something author who was born in the Dominican Republic but now resides in the US. Doesn't that sound familiar to many? Then there's the book she's in the process of writing. This book is based on actual facts and is about an expedition from Spain to bring the smallpox vaccine to the Americas.

I really can't say any more than that because there's an abundance of exciting stuff in it that I don't want to spoil for you. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Alvarez before, I highly recommend giving this one a try. You might just be pleasantly surprised by the engaging narrative and the wealth of information it contains.

This is one of those books that is composed of several layers, much like a delicious torte.

In present-day America, we have Alma, who is turning fifty. She is feeling depressed and lost, unsure of her place in the world.

We also have Helen, Alma's elderly neighbor, who is making her last valiant fight against cancer.

Going back in time to 1803 in Spain, we encounter Dona Isabel Sendales Y Gomez. She is the only survivor in her family after the smallpox epidemic struck. She is the rectoress of an orphanage.

The question is, how are they connected? The answer lies in the men in their lives, all of whom are striving to save the world.

Alma's husband, Richard, works for a large organization that aims to assist the Third World. He gets an opportunity to have hands-on experience with a project in the Dominican Republic, which is Alma's home country. Part of this project involves an AIDS clinic.

Dona Isabel is asked to help a doctor, Don Francisco Xavier Balmis, the director of the King's Expedition. She is to use her orphan boys to carry the smallpox vaccine to the New World, where an epidemic is raging.

Helen's son comes home to help her die peacefully and also to sort out his own life.

The novel focuses on the decisions that these three women make. Alma decides to stay at home, find herself, and finish researching about Dona Isabel and her smallpox carriers. She lets Richard go by himself into a situation where he truly needs her support.

Dona Isabel decides that her smallpox-scarred life in Spain will never change, and she asks to go with her chosen boys to South America. She supports Don Francisco to keep the expedition going and save others from smallpox.

Helen decides to die at home, without further treatment. The consequences of these decisions create a story that explores how personal hurt, pain, and anger can be transformed into purposeful action, or not, and how saving the world can sometimes mean saving oneself.

'Saving the World' is written in the present tense and may be a slow read, but it is definitely worth the effort. It is a good book that makes the reader think deeply about life, love, and the choices we make.