FYI - Guardian Review

there is a short but uinterseting review of books by Laura Esquivel and Isabel Allende in the Nov 15 Guardian (see Books).

I have never read either woman but certainly am interested in putting both on my list of authors to read.

This is the link for those interested....
Conquistador Women

FWIW Bernal Diaz del Castillo's 'Conquest of New Spain' has numerous references made about the woman called Malinche. He was himself an conquistador who fought in Cortes's campaigns. It's a very interesting history and well worth reading however he did have an axe to grind. Malinche seemed to have risen through concubinage and some what you might call deft manipulation to some power--learning Spanish and rejecting her cultural upbringing didn't hurt--if Diaz is to be believed. It might be interesting to get another view from Esquivel on her.