Conquistadora

By: Esmeralda Santiago

Narrated by: Esmeralda Santiago

An epic novel of love, discovery, and adventure by the author of the best-selling memoir When I Was Puerto Rican.

As a young girl growing up in Spain, Ana Larragoity Cubillas is powerfully drawn to Puerto Rico by the diaries of an ancestor who traveled there with Ponce de León. And in handsome twin brothers Ramón and Inocente—both in love with Ana—she finds a way to get there. She marries Ramón, and in 1844, just eighteen, she travels across the ocean to a remote sugar plantation the brothers have inherited on the island.

Ana faces unrelenting heat, disease and isolation, and the dangers of the untamed countryside even as she relishes the challenge of running Hacienda los Gemelos. But when the Civil War breaks out in the United States, Ana finds her livelihood, and perhaps even her life, threatened by the very people on whose backs her wealth has been built: the hacienda’s slaves, whose richly drawn stories unfold alongside her own. And when at last Ana falls for a man who may be her destiny—a once-forbidden love—she will sacrifice nearly everything to keep hold of the land that has become her true home.

This is a sensual, riveting tale, set in a place where human passions and cruelties collide: thrilling history that has never before been brought so vividly and unforgettably to life.

Learn the beginings of our island!

Takes you on a journey from the departure of Spain to the new undiscoveed world called Puerto Rico.
She makes you feel that your there with her during the days that pass and the struggles. Enjoyed it
and her many other books.

description on Puerto Rico la isla y su gente

I loved the description of la isla as it changed hand from Tainos to Españoles. How Su Gente changed from separates to Boricuas. How the influence of African Cultural was seen, heard and today still the strongest part of our culture. Eve though we speak Spanish it's not the words it's the meaning. Y tu donde esta tu Abuela.
Emerald Santiago gracias por usa su regalo de Dios en Su Gente!

Lovely story

I really enjoyed this book, it's a great narrative of Spanish/Puerto Rican history told from the unlikely perspective of a woman pioneer.

A magnificent story

A magnificent story that captures the disturbing slavery history of Puerto Rico in such an epic way. I would love to see Conquistadora turned into a series on Starz, HBO Max, or even Netflix.

Good History

I enjoyed the historical references. Just wish there had been more character development. The main character was not even likable.