Publisher's Synopsis
Manuelita Sáenz: The Untamed Liberator
In the tumultuous age of South American independence, one woman dared to defy an empire and reshape a continent. This spellbinding historical novel uncovers one of the most fascinating yet overlooked figures of the Latin American revolution: Manuelita Sáenz, the woman who changed the course of history.
Far more than just "Bolívar's lover" (as history has too often dismissed her), Sáenz was a military strategist, master spy, passionate revolutionary, and one of America's first feminists. Her story reads like the most gripping historical fiction, yet it's powered by extraordinary truth.
From the cloistered walls of a Quito convent to the blood-soaked battlefields of independence, from glittering ballrooms where conspiracies were hatched to her final years of exile on Peru's remote coast, this meticulously researched novel follows Manuelita's transformation from rebellious young aristocrat to Colonel in the Liberation Army. Her legendary rescue of Simón Bolívar from assassins and her crucial role in the Battle of Ayacucho are brought to vivid life through rich, immersive prose.
Author Ricardo Gómez masterfully weaves historical accuracy with literary imagination, creating an intimate portrait of an extraordinary woman who chose revolution over convention, freedom over security, and love over duty. Through multiple narrative voices and richly layered storytelling, we discover a complex, fully human Manuelita whose struggles and triumphs resonate powerfully with modern readers.
This sweeping narrative combines the epic scale of revolution with the intimate drama of a woman fighting for her place in history. It's a story of love, war, and liberation that transcends borders and time-a reminder that the most powerful revolutions often begin in the heart of a single, extraordinary individual.
For readers seeking to understand how the Americas were shaped, how women defied the constraints of their time, and how the dreams of liberty can transform both individuals and nations, Manuelita Sáenz's story is essential reading. In an age hungry for powerful female narratives, her long-overlooked story finally gets the telling it deserves.
