Reviews

This was a slow paced book, with a dark historical subject, that was only made bearable by the author’s beautiful writing. It took me a long time to get through this book, and i found myself getting lost with some of the characters and storylines. There was a lot going on. But if you’re looking for a book you can just sit with, take your time, and enjoy this for you.

queen3210's review against another edition

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2.0

Very disappointing book, a bunch of nothing happens but a lot happens. The audiobook added to my less than stellar experience as the voice belongs to a Caucasian and not a woman of color or so it sounds like it. Or should I say she has an English accent and French would have been the better choice for where and who this book is supposedly about.

askatknits's review against another edition

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4.0

I knew nothing of Haiti, outside knowing of "Baby Doc" Duvalier. But, Allende starts this book in Haiti and she took me on a fascinating journey into the rich setting of Haiti and life there and on to life in New Orleans. I loved Zarite, or Tete, from the beginning when she is just a young child. The topics discussed are thought provoking and this story will stay with me for a long time.

indy1527's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative

4.0

sualmeida's review against another edition

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3.0

Even though I liked the story and enjoyed very much the first half of the book, I feel like the ending was sort of plotless. I didn't really see a connection with the rest of the story.
It was an enjoyable book nonetheless.

dlovesbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad fast-paced

4.75

sheri_g's review against another edition

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4.0

I liked it. I was quite long in the sense that it spanned many years. I enjoyed Allende’s writing style. She employs very colorful language and beautiful imagery that really pulls you into the time and place. She did a good job of describing the relationship slaves had with their masters, their outlook on life, the dynamics between the whites blacks and mulatos in St. Domingue (present day Haiti) and New Orleans and how the difference in religion played a part in everyday life.; The slaves practiced voodoo and the whites are catholic.

I didn’t absolutely love it because I found it depressing at times. It made me sad to read about all the atrocities that these slaves endured at the hands of their abusive owners and the society they lived in. Slavery is just something I cannot believe happened. It is disgusting to think of humans being treated this way.

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