Monday, September 7, 2015

The Barefoot Queen by Ildefonso Falcones

Caridad is a recently freed Cuban slave looking for a new home. She finds one in the community of gypsies after being brought home sick by the Vega patriarch, Melchor. She is instantly charmed by the vivacious Milagros.
As life for the gypsies becomes harder after their lifestyle is outlawed and many are imprisoned, Caridad ends up alone.
But the gypsies survive, adapt and ultimately overcome.

This novel is beautiful, haunting and amazing. It is looong, but it never felt forced to me. I loved the characters and their different personalities. I enjoyed walking in their different shoes and seeing a totally different world. I also liked how things took turns. Overall a superb book!

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

3 comments:

  1. I started this one and agree it is beautifully done, but the length and meandering plotlines conquered me. I couldn't get past about the half-way point.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds wonderful.
    I am curious now

    ReplyDelete
  3. It can be really long, but it is a gorgeous book and the ending is pretty good.

    ReplyDelete