Synopses & Reviews
A sweeping novel that beautifully renders the true life story ofone of the most controversial women in the history of the AmericasSet against the majestic geography of the Andes, this riveting novel tells the story of Manuela Sáenz, who won her place in history as the great love of the South American liberator Simón Bolívar.
Manuela Sáenz life is fascinating in its own right. Abandoning her position as one of the richest women in Lima, Sáenz worked with underground conspirators to overthrow the corrupt representatives of the Spanish Crown. This road eventually led to her meeting with Bolívar in 1822, when she was twenty-five. Their attraction was immediate and they remained lovers for eight years, until Bolívar's death. During this tumultuous period, Sáenz fought in various battles, attaining the rank of colonel, and was eventually incarcerated, wounded, and exiled for life from Colombia and Ecuador.
Our Lives Are the Riversdramatizes South Americas political and social struggles not just from Sáenz's point of view, but from that of two other extraordinary women: Nataán and Jonotás, Sáenz's slaves. With this bold move, Jaime Manrique presents different (and sometimes conflicting) versions of Simón Bolívar, of Manuela Sáenz herself, and of the far-reaching consequences of the independence movement, not just for the descendants of the Spaniards but for their slaves, and for the vast Indian populations of the Andes as well.
In Manriques masterful novel, Manuela Sáenz is revealed as a unique and vibrant woman whose story modern readers will find themselves unable to forget.
Synopsis
A sweeping novel that beautifully renders the true life story of one of the most controversial women in the history of the Americas
Set against the majestic geography of the Andes, this riveting novel tells the story of Manuela Sá enz, who won her place in history as the great love of the South American liberator Simó n Bolí var.
Manuela Sá enz life is fascinating in its own right. Abandoning her position as one of the richest women in Lima, Sá enz worked with underground conspirators to overthrow the corrupt representatives of the Spanish Crown. This road eventually led to her meeting with Bolí var in 1822, when she was twenty-five. Their attraction was immediate and they remained lovers for eight years, until Bolí var's death. During this tumultuous period, Sá enz fought in various battles, attaining the rank of colonel, and was eventually incarcerated, wounded, and exiled for life from Colombia and Ecuador.
Our Lives Are the Rivers dramatizes South Americas political and social struggles not just from Sá enz's point of view, but from that of two other extraordinary women: Nataá n and Jonotá s, Sá enz's slaves. With this bold move, Jaime Manrique presents different (and sometimes conflicting) versions of Simó n Bolí var, of Manuela Sá enz herself, and of the far-reaching consequences of the independence movement, not just for the descendants of the Spaniards but for their slaves, and for the vast Indian populations of the Andes as well.
In Manriques masterful novel, Manuela Sá enz is revealed as a unique and vibrant woman whose story modern readers will find themselves unable to forget.
Synopsis
From critically acclaimed author Jaime Manrique, comes a breathtaking, sweeping novel based on the life of one of the most controversial women in the history of the Americas.
Before there was an Eva Peron, Collette, or Mata Hari, there was Manuela Saenz. Arguably one of the most fascinatingly sexy women in all history, she single–handedly helped to secure independence for much of South America from Spain.
Based on actual events, Our Lives Are The Rivers tells the life story of a woman who was willing to risk it all for her country –and her lover–and in whose legacy lies the history of an entire continent.
The novel begins in 1822, when Simón Bolívar, known as The Liberator, marches into Quito, victoriously leading an army that had overthrown its Spanish rulers, winning independence for a giant swath of land in what is now South America.
As he makes his way through the cheering crowds on the streets, his eye catches sight of Manuel Sáenz, a beautiful young woman of means who wore on her chest the gold medal of Knight of the Sun–the first honor given by the new republic to any woman in the New World. The attraction between them was so strong, they became lovers that same night, and remained together for the following 8 years, the last of Bolívar's life.
Told from the point of view of Manuela Saenz, as well as that of her two loyal slaves, Our Lives Are The Rivers is a novel of intoxicating love, passion, and adventure, with dynamic continent struggling for its own identity as its backdrop.
About the Author
Jaime Manrique is the award-winning author of the memoir Eminent Maricones, and the novels Latin Moon in Manhattan, Twilight at the Equator, and Colombian Gold. A contributor to Salon.com, BOMB, and other publications, he lives in New York City and is an associate professor in the MFA program at Columbia University.