Isabel Allende

Well, I loved this author after I read Ines of My Soul for one of our bookclub selections. Because I enjoyed that book so much, I purchased Paulina and Daughters of Fortune the latter of which I just finished. I have to say this book did not live up to my expectations. The story centers around a young women, Eliza, and gives the reader glimpses into the life of women in Chile during the 1800's. From there Eliza travels to San Francisco hidden in the bowels of a ship in search of her lover who has left Chile to seek his fortune during the gold rush. What I love about this author is her ability to vividly bring to life her characters as well as the backdrop in which the story takes place. I also like to read a book where I learn something of history. In that respect this novel does not disappoint. However, well into the novel I found myself feeling that anything worth writing had already been said. There is also quite a bit of searching in the book. Eliza searching for her lover. Eliza's uncle searching for her and so on. Just when they are so close, Ms. Allende snaps it away. It felt a little too convenient and the book ends abruptly when Eliza's search is over after she views her lover's head having been killed as a criminal. I have heard that Paulina is a good read. I shall see as I try not to have jaded eyes. I just started The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks one of the two books for our next bookclub meeting. Overall on a scale of 1 - 5: 3+ - Jackie

Welcome

Welcome to Dallas Book Babes! Our bookclub started after Mary, Carla and myself went for a weekend ski trip in January 2006 to Red River, New Mexico. On the way home we started discussing how much all of us loved books and the rest is history. Our first bookclub meeting was April 6, 2006. One of the very first books was Princess: The Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia. This book is one of the top 500 books ever written by a woman. The true story of a Saudi princess and the oppressive rule women live with in that country. A must read if you want to understand their culture.

We had our last meeting on April 15th where we discussed The Help and Enemies of the People. Our next scheduled meeting is June 10th. The books are The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Look forward to it! Jackie