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Saving the World

Julia Alvarez

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Jul 14, 2008 Annie rated it liked it

Not her best work. The older story is far more fascinating than the woman's who is telling the tale. ...more

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Aug 26, 2020 Laura (booksnob) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history, literature, historical-fiction, diverse-books, 2020

Julia Alvarez is one of my favorite authors. I bought Saving the World years ago and decided to read it during the quarantine. Its two stories woven together one current and the other historical. The historical story (based on a true story) is about a man fro Spain who takes over 20 orphans as live carriers of smallpox to South America so he can immunize the population and save the world. It's really fascinating. ...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Farhana Faruq rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

A novel within a novel! Two stories following a similar story line but are centuries apart. It's wonderfully written.

I was fascinated with the small pox expedition - and would have been happy just reading that.

I disliked the main character (Alma). Unique characters make an interesting read but was she ever annoying!!! I don't like being around self absorbed people - and clearing don't like reading about them either.
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Aug 24, 2007 Madeleine rated it it was ok

Shelves: latin-america

Probably my least favorite Julia Alvarez book, but still good. And maybe some of the problem was that I started reading it over summer interim and then stopped and then didn't pick it back up till this week... ...more

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