Daughter of Fortune

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Orphaned at birth, Eliza Sommers is raised in the British colony of Valparaíso, Chile, by the well-meaning Miss Rose and her strict brother Jeremy. She falls in love with Joaquín Andieta, a lowly clerk, just as gold is discovered in northern California. In 1849, driven by dreams of wealth, Joaquín heads to San Francisco, and Eliza, pregnant with his child, decides to follow him. This sets off her perilous journey to the rough world of San Francisco, where the newly arrived inhabitants are consumed by gold fever. Among a society of single men and prostitutes, Eliza finds support from her friend, the Chinese doctor Tao Chien. California presents her with opportunities for freedom and independence, transforming her search for Joaquín into a quest for personal liberation. As Eliza's journey unfolds, she must ultimately determine who her true love is. This narrative offers a sweeping portrait of an era, rich in character, history, violence, and compassion. Eliza emerges as an adventurous and unconventional heroine, embodying the courage to reinvent herself and forge her own destiny in a new land. The story showcases Isabel Allende's remarkable storytelling ability and solidifies her status as a leading writer.