Conquistadora: A Novel - Hardcover

"An enthralling family saga interlaced with meticulously researched details of how the Caribbean economy of the day sustained itself through slave labor. . . . Steely Ana--think Scarlett O'Hara with jet black hair--won't let hurricanes, cholera or even outright revolution keep her from turning a profit raising [sugar] cane. Santiago uses her larger-than-life character to illuminate a pivotal moment in the history of the Western hemisphere. . . . Four stars."
--Sue Corbett, "People"
"Gloriosa Ana Maria de los angeles Larragoity Cubillas Nieves de Donostia--Ana for short--is slight for a Spanish aristocrat, and unfashionably dark-skinned. In convent school in the 1830s, having eccentrically buried her not-so-pretty nose in the journal of a conquistador, she decides to become one, after a fashion, herself. . . . A decades-long story about marriage, slavery, and calculated choices--Ana makes an unspoken, unnatural pact with her young husband and his twin brother--"Conquistadora "is a splendid expedition into colonial history complete with enrapturing suspense to the very end."
--Celia McGee, "O the Oprah Magazine"
"Remarkable . . . [An] unpredictable and soaring story [by] an author in full command . . . Santiago encapsules an island's history in the splendid tapestry of Ana's boldly imagined life [and] joins a stellar line-up of Latin American authors who have brought to literary life the maverick women of Spanish colonial times, most notably Isabel Allende and Laura Esquivel . . . Santiago has crafted this elegantly written story from a bountiful imagination that blossomed from conversations with her parents, who grew up in and near sugar plantations; and dogged research into the most intricate details of aristocracy in Seville and colonial life in Cuba, Puerto Rico and New York. . . . Historical lessons abound, but pathos and authenticity keep one glued to the tale. . . . The indomitable Ana has been compared by early reviewers to Scarlett O'Hara

"Santiago's storytelling is thrilling. . . . "Conquistadora" is a triumph." --"The Washington Post"
"An author in full command. . . . In Santiago's hands, Ana is a woman to remember and Puerto Rico a country to cherish." --"The Miami Herald"
"A splendid expedition into colonial history complete with enrapturing suspense to the very end." --"O, The Oprah Magazine"
" "
"Ana [is] an unconventional, ambitious woman whose attitudes toward children, slaves and lovers perplex and engross. . . . A guided tour of the history of sugar and empire." --"The New York Times Book Review"
" "
"An enthralling family saga. . . . Four stars." --"People
""If, as the proverb goes, history is written by the hunters, then Esmeralda Santiago has imagined history as written from the point of view of the lions. A remarkable story for its detail, imagination, meticulous research, and wisdom, this is history written by a lion at the height of her powers." --Sandra Cisneros, author of "The House on Mango Street
"""Conquistadora" is an expertly researched novel that fuses Antillean/Puerto Rican history and a spellbinding and action-packed storyline that will surprise and dazzle its readers. . . . A crown jewel of Puerto Rican literature."" --Being Latino
""Lusty, ambitious women are staples of epic fiction, and in these pages Santiago has created a ferociously seductive character. . . . Read this absorbing, impeccably researched novel for its lush history and for the way Santiago's narrative constantly surprises--just as its protagonist does, confronting the gender limitations of her day."" --More
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""Conquistadora" is a wonderful and richly drawn novel. . . . A grand achievement from one of our finest writers." --Oscar Hijuelos, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love "and" Beautiful Maria of My Soul
""Part romance, part portrait of a woman struggling against the constraints of her time and class. Santiago's writing often surprises with its sly humor." "--The Dallas Morning News
"
"Extraordinary. . . . . An outstanding story, full of pathos, tropical sensuality, and violence--but it also poses uncomfortable moral questions readers are forced to consider . . . Storytelling genius . . . "Conquistadora" is a book-group must."" --Booklist (starred review)
""Ana will inevitably bring to mind thoughts of that other imperious plantation dweller, Scarlett O'Hara. . . . "Conquistadora" can be enjoyed as a grand romantic adventure tale, complete with plenty of sex and violence. But author Esmerelda Santiago . . . doesn't ignore the political and economic realities of Ana's life." "--The Columbus Dispatch
""Readers may not sympathize with Ana . . . but her unflinching devotion to her dream of living with the valor and beauty of her conqueror ancestors is compelling."" --BookPage
""An epic beach read."" --Marie Claire
""Santiago brings passion, color, and historical detail to this Puerto Rican "Gone with the Wind," featuring a hard-as-nails heroine more devoted to her plantation than to any of the men in her life. . . . The richness of [Santiago's] imagination and the lushness of her language will serve saga enthusiasts well."" --Publishers Weekly" (starred review)
"
""An enthralling epic that not only illuminates the life of one extraordinary woman, but of the great sweep of Puerto Rican history. . . . "Conquistadora" will seduce readers heart and soul." --Cristina GarcIa, author of "Dreaming in Cuban
""The multitalented author of When I Was Puerto Rican offers a big, bold novel about life on a Caribbean sugar plantation in the mid-19th century. . . . With drama, adventure, and even a bit of magical realism, "Conquistadora" may remind readers of Isabel Allende's novels of Latin America." "--Library Journal
""Impressive . . . . "Conquistadora" is a story of epic dimensions, one which demands to be taken seriously--and at the same time is just a tremendous amount of fun. Hats off to Esmeralda Santiago, for a delicious novel that instructs as easily as it pleases." --Madison Smartt Bell, author of "All Souls' Rising
""A powerful new novel that is colorful, sexy, and shimmering with magical writing as lush as the tropical island on which it takes place. Alive with all their passions and flaws, here are characters so boldly imagined they feel real, and in a story so transporting you can almost smell the sugar cane." --Terry McMillan, author of "Getting to Happy "and "Waiting to Exhale
""I loved this novel from the first sentence, and wept with emotion by the end. . . . Esmeralda Santiago has given voice to a history that has eluded me. Here is a haunting, visceral epic that satisfies on every level and yet leaves you hungry for more. Bravo, "Conquistadora"!" --Daisy Martinez, host of "Viva Daisy!" and author of "Daisy's Holiday Cooking
"

Santiago s storytelling is thrilling. . . .Conquistadora is a triumph. The Washington Post
An author in full command. . . . In Santiago s hands, Ana is a woman to remember and Puerto Rico a country to cherish. The Miami Herald
A splendid expedition into colonial history complete with enrapturing suspense to the very end. O, The Oprah Magazine

Ana [is] an unconventional, ambitious woman whose attitudes toward children, slaves and lovers perplex and engross. . . .A guided tour of the history of sugar and empire. The New York Times Book Review

An enthralling family saga. . . .Four stars. People
If, as the proverb goes, history is written by the hunters, then Esmeralda Santiago has imagined history as written from the point of view of the lions. A remarkable story for its detail, imagination, meticulous research, and wisdom, this is history written by a lion at the height of her powers. Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street
Conquistadora is an expertly researched novel that fuses Antillean/Puerto Rican history and a spellbinding and action-packed storyline that will surprise and dazzle its readers. . . . A crown jewel of Puerto Rican literature. Being Latino
Lusty, ambitious women are staples of epic fiction, and in these pages Santiago has created a ferociously seductive character. . . . Read this absorbing, impeccably researched novel for its lush history and for the way Santiago s narrative constantly surprises just as its protagonist does, confronting the gender limitations of her day. More

Conquistadora is a wonderful and richly drawn novel. . . . A grand achievement from one of our finest writers. Oscar Hijuelos, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love and Beautiful Maria of My Soul
Part romance, part portrait of a woman struggling against the constraints of her time and class. Santiago s writing often surprises with its sly humor. The Dallas Morning News

Extraordinary. . . . . An outstanding story, full of pathos, tropical sensuality, and violence but it also poses uncomfortable moral questions readers are forced to consider . . . Storytelling genius . . . Conquistadora is a book-group must. Booklist (starred review)
Ana will inevitably bring to mind thoughts of that other imperious plantation dweller, Scarlett O Hara. . . . Conquistadora can be enjoyed as a grand romantic adventure tale, complete with plenty of sex and violence. But author Esmerelda Santiago . . . doesn t ignore the political and economic realities of Ana s life. The Columbus Dispatch
Readers may not sympathize with Ana . . . but her unflinching devotion to her dream of living with the valor and beauty of her conqueror ancestors is compelling. BookPage
An epic beach read. Marie Claire
Santiago brings passion, color, and historical detail to this Puerto Rican Gone with the Wind, featuring a hard-as-nails heroine more devoted to her plantation than to any of the men in her life. . . . The richness of [Santiago s] imagination and the lushness of her language will serve saga enthusiasts well. Publishers Weekly (starred review)

An enthralling epic that not only illuminates the life of one extraordinary woman, but of the great sweep of Puerto Rican history. . . . Conquistadora will seduce readers heart and soul. Cristina Garcia, author of Dreaming in Cuban
The multitalented author of When I Was Puerto Rican offers a big, bold novel about life on a Caribbean sugar plantation in the mid-19th century. . . . With drama, adventure, and even a bit of magical realism, Conquistadora may remind readers of Isabel Allende s novels of Latin America. Library Journal
Impressive . . . . Conquistadora is a story of epic dimensions, one which demands to be taken seriously and at the same time is just a tremendous amount of fun.Hats off to Esmeralda Santiago, for a delicious novel that instructs as easily as it pleases. Madison Smartt Bell, author of All Souls Rising
A powerful new novel that is colorful, sexy, and shimmering with magical writing as lush as the tropical island on which it takes place. Alive with all their passions and flaws, here are characters so boldly imagined they feel real, and in a story so transporting you can almost smell the sugar cane. Terry McMillan, author of Getting to Happy and Waiting to Exhale
I loved this novel from the first sentence, and wept with emotion by the end. . . . Esmeralda Santiago has given voice to a history that has eluded me. Here is a haunting, visceral epic that satisfies on every level and yet leaves you hungry for more. Bravo, Conquistadora! Daisy Martinez, host of Viva Daisy! and author of Daisy s Holiday Cooking
"

"Santiago's storytelling is thrilling. . . . Conquistadora is a triumph." --The Washington Post

"An author in full command. . . . In Santiago's hands, Ana is a woman to remember and Puerto Rico a country to cherish." --The Miami Herald

"A splendid expedition into colonial history complete with enrapturing suspense to the very end." --O, The Oprah Magazine

"Ana [is] an unconventional, ambitious woman whose attitudes toward children, slaves and lovers perplex and engross. . . . A guided tour of the history of sugar and empire." --The New York Times Book Review

"An enthralling family saga. . . . Four stars." --People

"If, as the proverb goes, history is written by the hunters, then Esmeralda Santiago has imagined history as written from the point of view of the lions. A remarkable story for its detail, imagination, meticulous research, and wisdom, this is history written by a lion at the height of her powers." --Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street

"Conquistadora is an expertly researched novel that fuses Antillean/Puerto Rican history and a spellbinding and action-packed storyline that will surprise and dazzle its readers. . . . A crown jewel of Puerto Rican literature." --Being Latino

"Lusty, ambitious women are staples of epic fiction, and in these pages Santiago has created a ferociously seductive character. . . . Read this absorbing, impeccably researched novel for its lush history and for the way Santiago's narrative constantly surprises--just as its protagonist does, confronting the gender limitations of her day." --More

"Conquistadora is a wonderful and richly drawn novel. . . . A grand achievement from one of our finest writers." --Oscar Hijuelos, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love and Beautiful Maria of My Soul

"Part romance, part portrait of a woman struggling against the constraints of her time and class. Santiago's writing often surprises with its sly humor." --The Dallas Morning News

"Extraordinary. . . . . An outstanding story, full of pathos, tropical sensuality, and violence--but it also poses uncomfortable moral questions readers are forced to consider . . . Storytelling genius . . . Conquistadora is a book-group must." --Booklist (starred review)

"Ana will inevitably bring to mind thoughts of that other imperious plantation dweller, Scarlett O'Hara. . . . Conquistadora can be enjoyed as a grand romantic adventure tale, complete with plenty of sex and violence. But author Esmerelda Santiago . . . doesn't ignore the political and economic realities of Ana's life." --The Columbus Dispatch

"Readers may not sympathize with Ana . . . but her unflinching devotion to her dream of living with the valor and beauty of her conqueror ancestors is compelling." --BookPage

"An epic beach read." --Marie Claire

"Santiago brings passion, color, and historical detail to this Puerto Rican Gone with the Wind, featuring a hard-as-nails heroine more devoted to her plantation than to any of the men in her life. . . . The richness of [Santiago's] imagination and the lushness of her language will serve saga enthusiasts well." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"An enthralling epic that not only illuminates the life of one extraordinary woman, but of the great sweep of Puerto Rican h...

Esmeralda Santiago is the author of the memoirs When I Was Puerto Rican, Almost a Woman, which she adapted into a Peabody Award–winning film for PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, and The Turkish Lover; the novel América’s Dream; and a children’s book, A Doll for Navidades. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and House & Garden, among other publications, and on NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she lives in New York.

www.esmeraldasantiago.com