Jamilet is a beautiful young woman marred by a shockingly gruesome birthmark. It spills over her back and down her legs, twisting and writhing like...
read full description
reviews
May 29, 2010
Malin Engdahl
rated it: 
My mother read this book translated into Norwegian, and recommended it to me. When reading books that are originally written in a language I do not read fluently, such as Spanish or Russian, I have no problem reading the book in Norwegian, and often prefer to, as despite living in Norway, and even teaching Norwegian in school, I tend to read nearly everything in English nowadays. The Norwegian title of the book is Senor Peregrino, making me believe the original novel was in Spanish. Once I reali
More...
Jan 27, 2012
Soyaboenne
rated it:
***SPOILER ALERT****
I must admit that I don't usually go for books like this, but when my teacher told us we had to read this in English class I was actually quite excited. I've heard great things about this book, especially since this book is a bestseller in Norway.
The book was well-written and the story is, to some degree, intrigeing. All through the book, the drama never subsides and there is always something going on in the background. Samartin manages to descri More...
I must admit that I don't usually go for books like this, but when my teacher told us we had to read this in English class I was actually quite excited. I've heard great things about this book, especially since this book is a bestseller in Norway.
The book was well-written and the story is, to some degree, intrigeing. All through the book, the drama never subsides and there is always something going on in the background. Samartin manages to descri More...
Aug 28, 2011
Tara
rated it: 
Once again, I am left amazed and reeling by the writing of Cecilia Samartin. When I read her work (and this is my 2nd one) I find myself pulling on my hair and muttering to myself, "Now this is a real writer, the kind of writer I only dream of being. My work sucks compared to this."
In Tarnished Beauty, there are two stories, the first one being about Jamilet. The time is... 1950s? (I assumed this because of the reference to Elvis music.) The setting is Mexico. Jamile More...
In Tarnished Beauty, there are two stories, the first one being about Jamilet. The time is... 1950s? (I assumed this because of the reference to Elvis music.) The setting is Mexico. Jamile More...
Dec 03, 2010
Dalia
rated it: 
After seeing this book in my local library several times I finally checked it out, and I am so glad I did. Tarnished Beauty is the story of Jamilet, a beautiful young woman with a "disfiguring" birthmark, who immigrates from Mexico to the U.S. and lands a job in a mental hospital. Her job at the hospital only requires her to take care of one person: the elderly and disagreeable Señor Peregrino. When Señor Peregrino asks that Jamilet listens to his story the two of them create a friend
More...
Apr 24, 2008
Laura
rated it:
I chuckled at the title when I looked at the book in the library. I assumed it was some crappy V.C. Andrews-wannabe with lots of incest and molestation, but skimming through it, I realized the writing was good and the characters seemed solid. I raced through it today because I didn't want to put it down. While washing my floors, I kept pausing to read just one more paragraph.
The story is about a young Mexican girl born with a very dark red birthmark from her shoulders to the back More...
The story is about a young Mexican girl born with a very dark red birthmark from her shoulders to the back More...
Oct 30, 2011
Eva
rated it:
I read the Swedish translation. It's yet another story about a pilgrimage along El Camino. Having read Paulo Coehlo's and Shirley MacLaine's accounts, this one pales in comparison. Yet this book is not really about the pilgrimage, but about the girl Jamilet. Like most latino writing there is quirkiness to the language and the action, quite charming and lovely to read. For the most part I enjoyed the book but not nearly as much as I'd expected. A few too many loose ends by the end of the story.
More...
More...
Jun 21, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
A really great story about a (present-day) girl who illegallly enters the US to escape her life, and hide from a terrible birthmark that has dominated her life in Mexico. She gets a job taking care of one patient at a mental asylum who tells her this enthrallingly romantic story about his pilgrimmage in Spain. In essence through sharing their stories they save each other. Great read!
Mar 31, 2010
An-D
rated it:
This is a good read- it woves two different, equally compelling stories of a young woman and an elderly man. Both filled with love and heart break. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I gave it only 4 stars cause I thought that Jamilet's 'love' story was a little weak.
Apr 23, 2011
Marissa
rated it:
Wow! This was nicely done, very fascinating and moving. The characters were wonderful and the relationships developed were great.
Sep 09, 2011
Anna-sofie
rated it:
A beautiful fable about love, passion, and accepting yourself the way you are. Highly recommendable and quite a pageturner.
Oct 11, 2009
Vibeke
rated it:
Flotte beskrivelser av personene. Noe rar slutt, men jeg koste meg med historien.
Mar 18, 2008
Amanda
rated it:
I picked up an advanced reader's copy, not sure what to think of it. I ended up really enjoying it, which surprised me. I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, but we all do -- and this cover made the book seem like some cheesy romance. It's not. It's actually an interesting story about two people thrown together, dealing with the fate dealt to them, taking different forms of pilgrimage, hoping to find salvation outside of their own imaginations. I definitely recommend it.
Feb 06, 2011
Katri
rated it:
Loved this. Beautiful, original, with fascinating characters and stories, filled with emotion yet not too sentimental. I found the ending somehow a bit rushed (though I loved the final pages) and there were a few times where I felt confused by the logic of the events, otherwise I might have given it five stars. Will keep an eye out for Samartin's other works.
3 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 10, 2011
Elin
rated it: 
The story is kind of cozy, although I didn't quite love it. I thought all the loose threads were going to knit together in the end, but they didn't. Also, the language was a bit strange, but that could've depended on the translator.
Aug 04, 2008
Sylvia
rated it:
I had a chance to meet and speak with the author who shared with our group what inspired her to write the story. Her work experience and own personal journey guide this story about an unusual friendship. The story is well written and charming.
Aug 17, 2009
Irene
rated it:
A beautiful book about love.Couldnt stop reading.
Denne boken likte jeg virkelig godt. Klarte ikke å legge den fra meg. Den heter Senor Peregrino på norsk og er samme forfatter som Ghostheart (Drømmehjerte)
Denne boken likte jeg virkelig godt. Klarte ikke å legge den fra meg. Den heter Senor Peregrino på norsk og er samme forfatter som Ghostheart (Drømmehjerte)
Aug 12, 2008
Pat
rated it:
This book wove together two lives and two cultures, had a great ending, and was a pleasure to read.
Jun 02, 2008
Lorraine
rated it:
This author is a wonderful storyteller. Great characters and wonderful magic.
Feb 08, 2012
Feb 03, 2012
Jan 31, 2012
Jan 30, 2012
Jan 27, 2012
