Status
Available
Publication
Circulo de Lectores (1997)
Description
"Set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution, this romance knits the passion of a strong, independent woman into the history of a country, much in the manner of the 19th-century costumbrista tradition. Which of two men and their opposing paths will she choose? Peden's seamless translation of the richly detailed prose make for a page-turner. In its first publication under the title Mal de amores (1996), work was awarded the 1997 Rómulo Gallegos international prize for fiction"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.
User reviews
LibraryThing member kambrogi
Set in Puebla, a village in Mexico, this quintessential Latin American story embraces three generations in the life of a country. As in many other such tales, the smaller story of love and family is enhanced and challenged by the larger story of politics and war, with a few delightful twists. At
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the heart of the tale is the daring, fearless Emilia, the second generation of pharmacist Diego Sauri’s freewheeling, politically astute family. His daughter Emilia is torn between two loves in a classic Wuthering Heights conundrum: choose your childhood friend, the rough and tumble radical who is unreliable and tortured, but makes your body sing? Or choose the gentle, steady doctor who can provide a home and a family, and never leave your side? As her nation and her village, her family and her career waver, Emilia sorts through this problem of the heart. In the end, her solution is so simple that we all wonder why we never thought of it. Well-written and adeptly plotted, this book is peopled by such a large number of endearing characters that you may go away with a virtual photo album of people you will always want to remember. I know I will. Show Less
LibraryThing member WhiskeyintheJar
3.5 stars
"When did you get here?" Emilia asked him, kissing him as she had when their lips were smooth and unwrinkled. The eternal throbbing beat below her breastbone.
"I never leave," said Daniel, stroking her head with its scent of mysteries.
Spanning almost 50yrs, this is the story of Emilia. The
Emilia's father was a pharmacist, and she starts to study under him and grow her own passion but for medicine. She naturally and fights her way to becoming a doctor, no mean feat during this time period. She meets a Dr. Zavalza and love triangle ensues.
I really enjoyed the first 70% of this, as we get a historical feel for the Revolution with discussion and interaction with Diaz, Madero, Zapata. I do wish we could have had some scenes from Daniel to get a feel for the battles but this look at it from ordinary citizens was encompassing in its own way, too. Emilia's aunt and a poet who is in love with said aunt, were my favorite secondary characters and I would happily read the aunt's life story, what a woman she sounds like.
The last 30% was very rushed through as we get some of the conflict following the Revolution with Zapatistas and Cardenas with Daniel and Emilia continuing their relationship in a not thought of conventional way. Years pass quickly and Emilia becoming a doctor and having children is quickly told. This rushed ending kind of gave all the emotional upheaval and drama, I as the reader, went through less gravitas.
Lovesick couldn't be a more apt title as Emilia and Daniel's relationship wasn't exactly healthy. Daniel's passion for the war and how he constantly puts it above Emilia and Emilia's inability to let impulsive Daniel and his frenzy for fighting go in favor of Zavalza's calm supporting love will make you want to pull your hair out.
The historical context was weaved expertly into the story and Emilia's life journey will definitely make you feel.
"When did you get here?" Emilia asked him, kissing him as she had when their lips were smooth and unwrinkled. The eternal throbbing beat below her breastbone.
"I never leave," said Daniel, stroking her head with its scent of mysteries.
Spanning almost 50yrs, this is the story of Emilia. The
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vast majority of the story takes place during the Mexican Revolution (1910-20) and does a good job shining a light on how discontent, injustice, and passion bring about such wars. Emilia's childhood friend, who grows up to be her love, Daniel, is more than full of passion for the war and constantly leaves and is at battle leaving Emilia. Their love story is one people in their younger years would find exciting, dramatic, lustful, and love torn; a lovestory that is exciting to read about but hellish to live. Emilia's father was a pharmacist, and she starts to study under him and grow her own passion but for medicine. She naturally and fights her way to becoming a doctor, no mean feat during this time period. She meets a Dr. Zavalza and love triangle ensues.
I really enjoyed the first 70% of this, as we get a historical feel for the Revolution with discussion and interaction with Diaz, Madero, Zapata. I do wish we could have had some scenes from Daniel to get a feel for the battles but this look at it from ordinary citizens was encompassing in its own way, too. Emilia's aunt and a poet who is in love with said aunt, were my favorite secondary characters and I would happily read the aunt's life story, what a woman she sounds like.
The last 30% was very rushed through as we get some of the conflict following the Revolution with Zapatistas and Cardenas with Daniel and Emilia continuing their relationship in a not thought of conventional way. Years pass quickly and Emilia becoming a doctor and having children is quickly told. This rushed ending kind of gave all the emotional upheaval and drama, I as the reader, went through less gravitas.
Lovesick couldn't be a more apt title as Emilia and Daniel's relationship wasn't exactly healthy. Daniel's passion for the war and how he constantly puts it above Emilia and Emilia's inability to let impulsive Daniel and his frenzy for fighting go in favor of Zavalza's calm supporting love will make you want to pull your hair out.
The historical context was weaved expertly into the story and Emilia's life journey will definitely make you feel.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 1999)
Physical description
8.2 inches
ISBN
1880335018 / 9781880335017
Local notes
espanol