In the Name of Salome: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Viva Salome!
Review: Readers will get to learn about the amazing, but sad and short lived life of a great Dominacan icon, and her only daughter. Readers will also get some early history of the Dominican Republic. Julia's style of writing makes it enjoyable to read (as always). And, for those of you who have previously reviewered this book and don't get it; you obviously do not come from the culture TO GET IT. I recommend anyone and everyone to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: In The Name of Salome
Review: The book I chose to read was In The Name of Salome. It was by one of my favorite authors, Julia Alvarez, who always seems to really pull me into the story, whenever I read one of her books.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested, or likes poetry, history, or culture.
It is about a young woman named Salome Urena. She has to deal with many different issues and events in her life such as bravery, deaths, heroism, fitting in, and many other things that make her a stronger person in the end.
There was not really anything that I did not like about the book. What I enjoyed about it, was the fact that it was very poetic.
It was delightful to read something so different, and so pretty. This book may not be for everyone, but for me, it was an excellent read.

Rating:
Summary: In The Name of Salome
Review: The book I chose to read was In The Name of Salome. It was by one of my favorite authors, Julia Alvarez, who always seems to really pull me into the story, whenever I read one of her books.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested, or likes poetry, history, or culture.
It is about a young woman named Salome Urena. She has to deal with many different issues and events in her life such as bravery, deaths, heroism, fitting in, and many other things that make her a stronger person in the end.
There was not really anything that I did not like about the book. What I enjoyed about it, was the fact that it was very poetic.
It was delightful to read something so different, and so pretty. This book may not be for everyone, but for me, it was an excellent read.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing book by a great author
Review: The main problem with this book is that the main charcter, Camila, is quite unlikeable. She starts to grow on you by the end, but I feel at that point it is too late. The story alternates between the life of Camila and her mother, Salome. It begins when Camila is quite old and takes you back throughout her life until she is a young girl. Her mother's story goes from her youth to her death, alternating chapters with Camila's story, and thus tying the two together. Well, this sounds clever, and it could have been if the characters had been more likeable. Their prominent family is from the Dominican Republic enduring continuous political turmoil. Salome develops into a heroine of the Dominican Republic through her passionate and patriotic poems. Camila is the daughter whose first 3 years of life were her mother's last 3 years. Thus, Camila spends her life discovering and living vicariously through the bits and pieces of her mother's life and poetry she uncovers and learns from others. Ironically, when you are first introduced to Camila, she seems a sour and self-important old hag. Every task which she undertakes, many which are politically inspired, makes her feel overburdened. It made me wonder how a character with this demeanor could have grown up under the influence of such a patriotic and idealistic family. It doesn't fit, and Camila doesn't invoke the passion and energy she should.