What could have been a brilliant work of fiction, what with its thorough research and exquisite writing, becomes instead a trashy novel, filled with immoral sexual activity and explicit pornographic details. Also a turnoff is the implied negativity aimed at Catholicism and the praise of witchcraft. Even Allende's ethereal way with words is not enough to atone for the pre-marital sexual activity. My recommendation: do not read this book; instead take up the Alexander Cold series -- well-written, imaginative and, best of all, clean.