Conquistadora

De: Esmeralda Santiago

Narrado por: Esmeralda Santiago

An epic novel of love, discovery, and adventure by the author of the best-selling memoir When I Was Puerto Rican.

As a young girl growing up in Spain, Ana Larragoity Cubillas is powerfully drawn to Puerto Rico by the diaries of an ancestor who traveled there with Ponce de León. And in handsome twin brothers Ramón and Inocente—both in love with Ana—she finds a way to get there. She marries Ramón, and in 1844, just eighteen, she travels across the ocean to a remote sugar plantation the brothers have inherited on the island.

Ana faces unrelenting heat, disease and isolation, and the dangers of the untamed countryside even as she relishes the challenge of running Hacienda los Gemelos. But when the Civil War breaks out in the United States, Ana finds her livelihood, and perhaps even her life, threatened by the very people on whose backs her wealth has been built: the hacienda’s slaves, whose richly drawn stories unfold alongside her own. And when at last Ana falls for a man who may be her destiny—a once-forbidden love—she will sacrifice nearly everything to keep hold of the land that has become her true home.

This is a sensual, riveting tale, set in a place where human passions and cruelties collide: thrilling history that has never before been brought so vividly and unforgettably to life.

Learn the beginings of our island!

Takes you on a journey from the departure of Spain to the new undiscoveed world called Puerto Rico.
She makes you feel that your there with her during the days that pass and the struggles. Enjoyed it
and her many other books.

description on Puerto Rico la isla y su gente

I loved the description of la isla as it changed hand from Tainos to Españoles. How Su Gente changed from separates to Boricuas. How the influence of African Cultural was seen, heard and today still the strongest part of our culture. Eve though we speak Spanish it's not the words it's the meaning. Y tu donde esta tu Abuela.
Emerald Santiago gracias por usa su regalo de Dios en Su Gente!

Lovely story

I really enjoyed this book, it's a great narrative of Spanish/Puerto Rican history told from the unlikely perspective of a woman pioneer.

A magnificent story

A magnificent story that captures the disturbing slavery history of Puerto Rico in such an epic way. I would love to see Conquistadora turned into a series on Starz, HBO Max, or even Netflix.

Good History

I enjoyed the historical references. Just wish there had been more character development. The main character was not even likable.

Beautifully written and read

I loved this book and hated when it ended. It is perfect blend of history and fiction.

Its ok.

I love Esmeralda Santiago. I liked this story but really really hated this ending. I didn’t really love her narrating the “singing” parts (it was weird).
Overall it’s ok, but not my favorite of her books.

flawed but sometimes beautiful

First of all, I have to defend the author's narration. Santiago is Puerto Rican and the cadence and style of how she reads her work is typical of the storytelling style of Puerto Rico. I felt I was being read a story by one of my older relatives who is no longer alive. This was her story, she wanted to narrate it herself.

I enjoyed the book overall for the story, though I felt there were many times when I was being told what was happening as opposed to being shown. Santiago was trying to cover a long period of time and I felt that some of the details she chose to focus on were handled heavily while other aspects of the story were glossed over. Her descriptions of the land were beautiful. I felt some of the characters felt flat and unreal. But, I was interested in her version of history so I kept listening. I was a little disappointed with the ending but I probably would have been more annoyed if it had all wrapped up neatly.

Excellent!

Loved it! Full of details. Esmeralda transports the reader with her details and descriptions!
Recommended!

Since when am I required to leave a headline

and a review just to leave an overall rating. That is lame. 🤷🏽 🤷🏽