My book club just finished this book (women from ages 30-85), we all loved it.

I love historical fiction. I'd never given much thought to the various groups that participated in the Gold Rush, as well as the accounting of Chile in the late 1800's and Tao's story from China. I will never forget the term Golden Lilies. The story was very vivid and covered a multitude of circumstances, much of it centered on women.

Eliza is an orphan who overcomes her upbringing to pursue her love. Her journey to find him reveals much about herself, her strength and what she can accomplish. Along her path, she meets many other colorful, vibrant, strong women. Her spinster Aunt who has her own story which was completely unexpected. How the Aunt disdains society while appearing so proper and makes money was a surprise. The prostitutes who travel to the Gold Rush to make money and what happens to them; including, a rough/tough Madam and a reformed prostitute. Eliza's friend, a strong business savvy Chilean woman who defies her family and marries the man she loves, a man not afraid to listen to her advice. Many atypical characters of the time, but perhaps that is the point. (Sorry to be vague, but I don't want to spoil these stories.)

There are many comments in other reviews about the loose ends. I felt the book was complete. During the course of the story, Eliza reminisces from a future time point. She makes reference to several things that happen after the end of the book. I would suggest reading carefully and making note of her observances. It ties everything together nicely.

I only picked this book off my bookshelf because I did not have time to look closer at that moment. What a wonderful suprise when I grudingly opened it later and from the first sentence I was pulled into the story. The best way I can discribe the writing style of this book is warm and fluid, easy and addictive all at the same time. I would never read a historical novel about this time period, but then again I have never found one with an interesting, spirited female character either. I learned a great deal about this period from this book, the gold rush came alive for me through all the different characters. This is what learning about history should be like. I didn't want it to end and honestly I would love to know where the author thinks the characters ended up. I wish she would write a sequal. Bravo!

I had previously read The Stories of Eva Luna and wanted to try another Allende book. I love her writing style. In Daughter of Fortune, the end dragged a bit and maybe she should have dropped a character or two. I also never really felt the love between the main character and the person with whom she ended up. Maybe there are a few more loose ends that could have been tied up as well, but I don't want to put any spoilers. Considering these minor details, this is truly a great read! I love how she writes historical fact into the novel and transcends the reader to another time with a modern mind.

*SEMI-SPOILER ALERT*

Eliza Sommers grew up in Chile and was adopted into a family that is all about secrets... a LOT of secrets, btw. She ends up "falling in love" with a moody young fellow named Joaquin and ends up following him to California during the gold rush. (why is beyond me! i didn't buy into that part much).

I found the description of California during the gold rush to be quite fascinating, though. I really enjoyed that part of the book. I think that Ms. Allende has a gift in describing historical settings. I felt like I could really imagine what it was like during that time period. I also thought that her take on it was different than what I learned growing up and found that interesting as well. Ms. Allende weaved the plot together with great sights, sounds and smells.

I go back and forth about giving this 2-stars vs. 3-stars. But I'm so mad at the ending of this book that I'm only giving it 2 stars. It left me hanging with too many unanswered questions. I know some people really liked the ending, but for me - it irked. I keep thinking about the book, too, and wondering how the characters reacted to one another after the big surprise ending.

I also thought that Eliza's story living on the road was WAY too long. I really wanted to know more about her and Tao, her Chilean family and how that all ended. It made me mad that Eliza obsessed over Joaquin for so long and that a large part of the book was about her obsession. Yes, some girls really do obsess over their first love for unknown reasons... but to read that much of a book about it bugged.

What about her and Tao?? Why were we left hanging there with him? We never got to see them together in the present. Ugh. I'm still mad that I gave 3 nights away to read this and have it end the way it did. I thought for sure it wouldn't end right then. What happens with her aunt? Does Eliza find out about her true identity? How does she react?

I much prefer Ms. Allende's "Inez of My Soul."

I read one of Isabel Allende's novels for a high school English class, and I never imagined that she would become one of my favorite authors. Her writing style is so detailed and engrossing that you cannot help but feel completely immersed in the world she has created. The characters are so dynamic and easy to relate to as Allende details their struggles and emotions with expertly chosen words and phrases.

This book captivated me because the storyline is fiction without the cheese factor and history without the bore factor. I loved watching Eliza Sommers develop from an innocent yet immature child to an experienced adult. This theme is fairly typical of novels, but the way Allende does it is completely atypical. Tao Ch'ien is difficult not to fall completely in love with, and you can't help but pity Joaquin Andieta and his foolish ideals. Even the minor characters are given their backgrounds and their own limelight.

If you like any of Allende's other novels, this is highly recommended.