Point of View

Daughter of Fortune is written in third person. The narrator changes perspectives depending on the focus of the chapter. Each character is followed with omniscience, with the exception of Joaquin Andieta, who remains a mystery to all of the other characters until the end of the book. The reader knows what each character is doing and thinking, even when other characters are still unaware.

Setting

This is a novel of historical fiction. It takes place in the middle part of the nineteenth century. The first part of the book is set in Valparaiso, Chile. Next there is a section on a ship sailing to California, interspersed with background information set in China. Finally, most of the last part takes place in California, between San Francisco and Sacramento.

Language and Meaning

The author uses very complex language in this book. Many of the words are reminiscent...