The Years with Laura Diaz

I read the kindle version and though the formatting could use some work, particularly the lack of adequate space breaks between major shifts of scene or time.But upon finishing it my first reaction was "this was magnificent." I can not understand reviews like some here, for instance the "...bla, bla, bla..." comment. My only conclusion is perhaps some readers are not willing to invest time and patience to uncover the grandeur of a great piece of literature.These are some of the aspects of the work I think make it magnificent.1. It's scope. The work covers a very long time period that includes; the political history of Mexicio at a key time in it's modern growth, the First World War as it relates to Spain and Fascism, love, marriage & infidelity, parenting, fascinating characters, etc, all well integrated in a seamless web through the ongoing development and interactions of the characters.2. The writing is so often poetic and beautiful and offers long beautiful poetic runs somewhat like a well crafted yet emotional long moving musical solo.3. The characters are well formed, real, human, complex, courageous, flawed, soulful and moral, varied, and interesting. The conversations between them could almost be published as a stand alone University reader for a literature, cultural geography, or history seminar discussion course.4. The development and growing maturity of Laura Diaze, the main character, could be a novella on its own. The evolution of her growth and emergence into a full giving maturity is worth the price of the novel.5. The characters are well integrated with each other, the time, the historic/human context issues, and the geography of the setting. This makes them living, believable people. Their individual identities are given depth, vulnerability, strength, intelligence, heart, and the ability to love despite their very human limitations.I do not know how you could ask for more from a novel, or have a "...blah, blah, blah" reaction to such a great work. I was sad to finish this novel, the first I have read by Fuentes. I came out of the experience of reading The Years With Laura Diaz admiring Fuentes as a painter and poet of life through his writing.As a closing note, I really enjoyed the integration of Diego Rivera (some of whose Murals in Mexico City I have photographed) and Frida. I also have spent time in some of the places and cities that are settings in the novel and it brought back memories of those places and the lovely Mexican people I got to know and work with in those travels. It made me want to go back and stay. Still, I do not give my review based on a sentimental basis. I love great literature and this stands up well with some of the works that have most moved me. In that sense it was as moving as War and Peace for me. Unforgettable.

Fuentes aspires to cover over a hundred years of Mexican history in this family novel. Since I go to Mexico often, I was drawn in by the social, cultural, and political material -- which sometimes makes the novel read like a patriotic essay, relieved by plentiful critical comments on the government. And wouldn't you know it? Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera make an appearance. The main character is drawn with partial success. To me she gets most interesting when she discovers a new vocation late in life. Some of the others, like her husband and her lovers, are more interesting, perhaps only because they remain partly enigmatic. I'm 97% done reading this novel and I fully expect to finish it -- and that's a positive comment because I do not hesitate to abandon a novel that doesn't engage me. The book is passable as fiction. If you like to learn history by reading historical novels, it's worth a look.

This is a book I wish I had written; it is of a life, I feel I have lived. Senor Fuentes brilliantly composes a story that encompasses all that is grand and horrific about the evolution of a country, of a people, and of one life that reflected the emergence of the Mexico we know today. If you know anything about Mexico in all its riches and contrasting hues, this book confirms why we love it so. If you know nothing about Mexico, read it for the sheer poetry of one woman's life. Bravo Carlos! I can't wait to read whatever books you have written that I haven't read yet!!!

a Mexican icon...along with Gabriel Garcia Marquez and the Boom....loved the history as well in relationship to his story. i did have a bit of trouble truly identifying, or caring that much about Laura Diaz tho.

a biography I have long wanted to read

Does every book about this period in Mexican history HAVE to include the protagonist meeting and being part of the life ofFreida and Diego???? Laura just rambles around from person to person, place to place. I couldn't find the depth of the book. Why did Carlos Fuentes take the time? More over, why was it published?

Excellent

maravilloso

Our novel starts at the beginning of the 20th century and follows Laura's life through to 1972. It covers significant events in Mexican history and events that impacted on it, the Mexican Revolution, anarcho-syndicalism and the workers’ movement in Latin America, the Spanish Civil War, the Holocaust, McCarthyism in the U.S. and the lives of the famous muralist Diego Rivera and his wife and artist, Frida Khalo. This great epic that provides an excellent overview of 20th Century Mexican history.

Great book. It brings modern Mexican history to life through compelling characters and so far (I'm about half way through), no magical realism. For my tastes, that's a good thing. Highly recommended.