Subject
Central America -- Fiction Books
Best books
Thomas Hoover
Life Blood
"Life Blood" by Thomas Hoover is a contemporary novel written in the early 21st century that blends elements of a medical thriller with themes of personal struggle and adoption. The story centers around Morgan James, a filmmaker who finds herself entangled in a dark conspiracy involving bizarre human experimentation while navigating her own infertility issues and the complex world of adoption. The opening of the novel introduces Morgan as she experiences the tinges of mid-life regret and a desire for family, juxtaposed against her dedication to completing her feature film, "Baby Love." In the midst of this creative endeavor, she embarks on an interview with a woman, Carly Grove, who shares her adoption story that seems too good to be true. Morgan's longing for a child intensifies as her own dreams of motherhood fade, leading her to contemplate adoption. The narrative hints at ominous forces at play, particularly concerning the adoption agency, Children of Light, adding a layer of suspense as Morgan seeks to uncover the truth behind her characters' stories.
Richard Harding Davis
Captain Macklin: His Memoirs
"Captain Macklin: His Memoirs" by Richard Harding Davis is a semi-autobiographical novel written during the late 19th century. The narrative centers around Royal Macklin, a young soldier who reflects on his childhood and early military experiences, highlighting his lineage and the expectations placed upon him as the descendant of esteemed military figures. The story delves into themes of duty, honor, and the personal conflicts that arise when ambition and personal life intersect. At the start of the novel, the protagonist, Royal Macklin, grapples with his identity and career aspirations as a soldier, influenced heavily by the legacy of his grandfather, Major-General John M. Hamilton. He recounts his formative years spent at home with his grandfather, the absence of his parents, and his education at a military academy, all of which shape his desire to uphold the family name. With a tone of youthful bravado and introspection, Macklin shares the significance of his military calling, as well as his complex feelings towards women, especially his cousin Beatrice, who evokes both admiration and confusion in him. The beginning of the memoir sets the stage for Royal's journey into the tumultuous world of military life and personal exploration, all while hinting at the impending challenges he will face as he navigates his fate.
Fergus Hume
The Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 1 (of 3)
"The Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 1 (of 3)" by Fergus Hume is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds around a group of old school friends, particularly focusing on Sir Philip Cassim, who reflects on a long-ago promise to reunite with his companions. As they come together, their lives reveal a mixture of personal pursuits, romantic entanglements, and an overarching connection to a legendary gemstone—the Harlequin Opal. At the start of the book, readers are introduced to Sir Philip Cassim as he prepares for a reunion with his old friends after fifteen years. He recalls their youthful vows and muses on the changes time has wrought in their lives. The narrative then shifts as one friend, Jack Duval, shares an intriguing tale about the Harlequin Opal, a precious gem with a storied past related to love and power struggles in Cholacaca. As the friends reconnect, a looming adventure begins to take shape—combining elements of romance, intrigue, and possible conflict as they set off to uncover the fortunes tied to the opal and navigate the complexities of their own relationships.
John Masefield
ODTAA: A novel
"ODTAA: A Novel" by John Masefield is a historical fiction work written in the early 20th century. Set in a fictional land called Santa Barbara, which seems to blend elements of Latin America with a wealth of political strife, the narrative unfolds against a backdrop of social and political conflict between two factions, the Reds and Whites. Through the eyes of characters like Highworth Foliat Ridden and Rosa Piranha, the story touches on themes of love, identity, and the effects of a tumultuous political climate. The opening of the novel establishes a richly detailed world, beginning with a geographical description of Santa Barbara and its provinces, hinting at the historical turbulence that has shaped the region. Different characters are introduced, including the ambitious revolutionaries, entrenched aristocrats, and the young protagonist, Hi, who is sent from England to seek his fortunes. As Hi arrives in Santa Barbara, he is met with a vibrant but complex atmosphere rife with underlying tension, highlighting the looming threat of conflict tied to the policies of the dictatorial leader, Don Lopez. There’s an immediate sense of change and unrest as Hi navigates this new world, where friendships can be formed or broken based on one's political loyalties, setting the stage for various personal and social dilemmas that will unfold throughout the story.
St. George Rathborne
My Hildegarde : $b A strange story of adventure in the land of revolutions
"My Hildegarde: A Strange Story of Adventure in the Land of Revolutions" by St. George Rathborne is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Bolivar, a fictional Latin American city, during a season of festivity and tumult. The narrative follows Morgan Kenneth, who finds solace in a chaotic celebration as he attempts to escape his troubled past, only to unexpectedly reconnect with his estranged wife, Hildegarde, sparking a new adventure fraught with danger and intrigue. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to a weary Morgan Kenneth, who arrives in Bolivar seeking distraction from his painful memories. Amid the city's lively festival, he unexpectedly encounters Milo Robbins, an old friend mistakenly presumed dead in a shipwreck. Their reunion is overshadowed when a child presents Robbins with a note from a distressed American lady, leading them to the alcalde's house in search of her. The beginning sets the stage for an escalating adventure, culminating in Morgan's shocking discovery that this lady is none other than Hildegarde, his former spouse, thus intertwining themes of love, betrayal, and redemption as they navigate the chaos of their past and the dangers that lurk in Bolivar.
John Masefield
Sard Harker: A novel
"Sard Harker: A novel by John Masefield" is an adventure novel published in 1924. Set in the fictional South American nation of Santa Barbara, it follows Chisholm "Sard" Harker, a ship's mate who overhears a sinister plot against the Kingsborough siblings. Missing his ship after attempting to warn them, Sard embarks on a harrowing journey across treacherous terrain, facing assaults, natural hazards, and supernatural visions. His quest leads to a final confrontation with Sagrado B, a dark magician threatening Miss Kingsborough's life.
Valentine Williams
The Return of Clubfoot
"The Return of Clubfoot" by Valentine Williams is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Desmond Okewood, a Secret Service agent who embarks on an adventurous quest for hidden treasure in Central America. As he navigates dangerous encounters with his old nemesis, the Man with the Clubfoot, the narrative promises elements of intrigue, suspense, and romance. The opening of the book introduces Okewood during a holiday in a tropical setting, where he encounters a dying beach-comber who reveals the existence of a hidden treasure on Cock Island in the Pacific. A cipher he possesses is vital to finding the treasure, setting the stage for conflict with the Clubfoot. As the plot unfolds, we are introduced to vibrant characters, including a millionaire's daughter and a humorous interaction with a woman named Doña Luisa, leading to Okewood's decision to follow the beach-comber's urgent request for assistance. This sets up a tale filled with anticipation and adventure.
A. Hyatt (Alpheus Hyatt) Verrill
Through the crater's rim
"Through the Crater's Rim" by A. Hyatt Verrill is a science fiction novel written during the early 20th century. The story explores the adventures of an explorer who discovers a hidden, ancient city populated by a strange, diminutive race living within a volcanic crater in Central America. The narrative combines elements of adventure, horror, and speculative fiction, pulling on the themes of lost civilizations and uncharted territories. The plot follows an unnamed explorer who, intrigued by rumors of a lost city observed from an airplane, decides to seek it out. After a perilous journey through the jungle, he finds himself in a surreal world where the inhabitants walk on their hands and possess unique customs. Initial encounters with the local population and a series of thrilling events reveal their superstitions and fears, particularly regarding the protagonist's perceived god-like status due to his unfamiliar abilities. However, when a nefarious priest exposes him as a fraud, he is captured and almost sacrificed. In a climactic rescue, his companion Hazen saves him just in time, leading to a harrowing escape from the city, which ultimately succumbs to a flood caused by their destruction of an aqueduct. The story captures the essence of adventure and the influence of supernatural elements on primitive societies.
Fergus Hume
The Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 2 (of 3)
"The Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 2 (of 3)" by Fergus Hume is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book continues the story of its main character, Jack Duval, as well as others embroiled in political and personal turmoil in Cholacaca. It delves into themes of love, ambition, and the clash between rebels and the established government. The opening of the story introduces a perilous journey aboard the yacht "The Bohemian", as its crew heads toward Acauhtzin to confront the insurgent leader Xuarez. Amidst the voyage, tension mounts over the political situation in Cholacaca, with Jack Duval determined to rescue his love, Dolores, who has been taken by Xuarez. As the yacht approaches the harbor, they navigate threats and hostility, reflecting the escalating conflict. Simultaneously, Jack faces imprisonment after a riot erupts, and he endures the psychological torment imposed by Xuarez, who seeks power and desires for Dolores. This sets the stage for an intricate tale of rivalry and romance framed within the chaos of rebellion.
A. Hyatt (Alpheus Hyatt) Verrill
The bridge of light
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_of_Light_(novel)
Fergus Hume
The Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 3 (of 3)
"The Harlequin Opal: A Romance" by Fergus Hume is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds in a time of political tension and warfare set against a backdrop of vivid romance and adventure, prominently featuring themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the mystical nature of an opal, regarded as a sacred object by the indigenous people in the narrative. The main character, Jack Duval, alongside his friends, navigates a conflict involving military struggles and personal relationships, particularly in connection to the opal. The opening of the narrative introduces readers to a tense military situation as the characters navigate the challenges of war, injuries, and the looming threat of an enemy. Jack and his comrades are deeply concerned about their missing friend Philip, who has been engaged in battles against overwhelming odds. The intense dialogue and quick pace set the tone for the unfolding conflict, highlighting the desperation of the loyalists trying to hold their ground amid attacks from Indian forces allied with the rebel leader, Xuarez. As the story progresses, themes of loyalty to friends and the fate tied to the mystical opal begin to emerge, framing an immersive tale of human resilience in the face of adversity.
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