A baby is left on the doorstep of a British importer and
his sister in 19th-century Valparaiso, Chile. Keeping her, they
choose the name Eliza. Sixteen years later, Eliza is pregnant, and
her lover is off to the 1849 California Gold Rush. She follows him
by stowing away on a ship with the help of ship cook Tao Chi’en.
She miscarries on board and once in California disguises herself
as a boy so that she can travel freely in search of her lover.
Eliza’s search turns out to be a discovery of her true self. The
lasting relationship proves to be the one with Tao, who puts his
early medical training to use by becoming a sought-after healer.
As colorful as the characters, and there are many, are the
settings in Chile and California. California during the Gold Rush
was swarming with immigrants from all over, rough and greedy to
make their fortunes. Allende gives us a vivid picture of the
frenzy surrounding the mining camps, with the ragtag miners, the
thieves, the prostitutes, and the other hangers-on.
As usual, Allende’s prose is lush. Daughter of Fortune is
a long book, but for those who like historical fiction, it will be
an enjoyable read.
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