Saving the World (Shannon Ravenel Books (Paperback))

I loved this book. I thought the alternating chapters between the centuries worked well. I found both stories equally riveting. I would say however, that I did not feel that the stories were really connected. Before I read the book, the reviews seemed to indicate that both women were involved in ridding the world of disease, one of small pox and the other of AIDS. I would classify it more as a modern writer who becomes fascinated with a story. A story that she was researching while going through what could be described as a midlife crisis. The only similiarity that I could see was that both women had "children" though neither had given birth. Overall, the fact that the stories didn't seem connected didn't have a negative impact on the fact that both stories were well written and compelling.

I absolutely love this book. I am half way through and I can't get enough of it! I would recommend this book to anyone. I am a fan of Julia Alvarez and have had the opportunity to hear her speak. When she spoke of this book and the research she did in order to write the book, I was intrigued and had to buy it. Wonderful book that intertwines two stories of strong and amazing women who are struggling in their life experiences. The book is an inspiration.

While I browsed through a bookstore, the subject of this novel caught my attention: the story of a Spanish doctor in the 1800's who sets out on an expedition to bring the smallpox vaccine to the Spanish colonies around the world. Having discovered that the virus from which the vaccine is to be made must be transported live and cultured sequentially, he solicits young boys from an orphanage to be his first line of carriers. The rectoress of the orphanage agrees to let the boys go only if she is permitted to accompany them to care for them. Parallel to this plot is a modern day story of Alma Huebing, a Latina novelist for whom the 200 year old story becomes a source of inspiration. Her husband Richard, not unlike Dr. Francisco Balmis, goes off to work in a health center in the Dominican Republic, dispensing AIDS medication. While the stories are not equally compelling, it's interesting to see the influence that Dona Isabel's life has over Alma's. This is a well-crafted novel that kept my interest in both plot lines alike.

I LOVED this book. Mostly because it is historical fiction interwoven with a present-day tragedy. The relationships felt very real to me, and stories that speak about grief, loss and the power to move through these experiences and heal from them. Bravo Julia! Well done.

Julia Alvarez' new novel was a Book Sense pick of the month. I've never been quite satisfied by her earier books, but after dedicating five months to the Spanish-language telenovela "Alborada", I was in the mood for something at least partially set in the same early 19th century time period. I gave "Saving the World" a try. What a fabulous surprise. "Saving the World" is not without flaws, but it is a marvelous read, completely satisfying and highly recommended. There's a parallel story structure, one modern, one historical. In this case the historical one is the most compelling. Isabel is the director of a Spanish orphanage, who is approached by Dr. Francisco Balmis, who asks her to help him carry smallpox vaccine to the new world. This will be done by vaccinating one boy, then transferring the live vaccine from one boy to the next until they reach their destination and begin a vaccination program. Moved by Dr. Balmis' drive, Isabel agrees. She also agrees because she lost her family in the smallpox epidemic that left her disfigured. And then you have Alma, who is supposed to be working on a Dominican family saga novel but who instead is spending her time reading about Isabel. Her husband Richard is going to the Dominican Republic to work on an environmental project while she remains at home in Vermont. That's the plan, anyway, but before the novel's end Alma will also cross the waters to try to rescue the mission of a visionary man. Isabel's fantastic, little-known story is the more gripping. Crammed on tiny ships with rowdy little boys, touchy adult men, and bouts of seasickness, she keeps her eyes on the prize and helps the others focus in that direction as well. Alma is depressed and in trouble with her publisher, who is getting tired of waiting for this saga novel and may want the advance back. You want to shake Alma, but who hasn't used that diversionary tactic of putting too much energy into the wrong thing? She allows herself more tempest-tossed by life than Isabel, a woman who faces real tempest-tossing in a small vessel on a vast and unknowable sea. How much you like this novel will depend on how well you're able to accept Alma. Just ride these sections and pretty soon, you'll be swept up.