Camila's perception of home is deeply rooted in the unwavering memory of her mother Salomé. In fact, she even prays, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of my mother, Salomé." Named Salomé Camila, she grapples with a self-imposed burden of being as talented as or more renowned than her mother Salomé.

Ironically, her liberation arrives at the close of her life when she returns to her "patria" to visit her mother's gravestone. She enlists the help of an illiterate young man to guide her as she feels the engraving. It is precisely at this moment, when she commences teaching the young man the letters, that we witness her sense of freedom. This freedom becomes her enduring legacy in the written word.

Camila's journey is one of self-discovery and the search for meaning. Her relationship with her mother and the expectations she places on herself shape her identity. Through her encounter with the young man at the gravestone, she finds a new purpose and a way to pass on her knowledge. This moment of teaching not only liberates her but also leaves a lasting impact on the young man, who now has the opportunity to learn and grow.

Overall, Camila's story serves as a reminder of the power of memory, the importance of finding one's own path, and the significance of leaving a positive legacy. (Elvira C-D, Reader’s Services)

For me, it has been a captivating historical novel.

It took me on a journey through time, allowing me to immerse myself in a different era.

The detailed descriptions of the settings, characters, and events made it feel as if I was actually there.

I could envision the ancient cities, the bustling markets, and the grand palaces.

The characters were well-developed and their stories were engaging.

I found myself rooting for them and experiencing their joys and sorrows along with them.

The historical accuracy of the novel added to its authenticity and made it even more interesting.

It gave me a better understanding of the past and how people lived during that time.

Overall, it was a wonderful reading experience that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Every piece that I have the pleasure of reading by Alvarez serves to further solidify her position as one of my all-time favorite authors.

This particular book has managed to vocalize an array of complex and deep emotions in a manner that is both profound and simple.

There are paragraphs within its pages that I have found myself reading over and over again, simply to etch the feeling of reading them into my mind.

I have a particular penchant for when a novel strategically plays with the passage of time, and this novel does precisely that as it works towards the joining of two people, a legacy, and a name.

The way Alvarez weaves the story together, manipulating time to build anticipation and create a sense of mystery, is truly masterful.

It keeps the reader engaged from start to finish, eager to discover how the various threads of the narrative will ultimately come together.

Her ability to convey such powerful emotions and tell a captivating story is what makes her writing so special and keeps me coming back for more.