A Duplicate Daughter

by Randy F. Nelson

High in the Sierra Madre mountains of northern Mexico, impoverished Amedeo Munoz rescues an anonymous baby girl during a 1936 earthquake, insisting that she is his daughter. Twelve years later, when young Maria is 'rescued' again, this time by detective Gerald Manley, a more glamorous lie takes hold. --What happens when the princess and the pauper are the same person?

Mia, as she is known, adapts well to her new life, never doubting the narrative that has absorbed her . . . until she has to choose between two worlds.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2017

Reviews

[Karl Plank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't recommend books lightly. Words matter and life's short. But, there are stories you should know, stories told with artful mastery that grow from listening to the sounds humans make at the hard edges of their lives and observing what they do when called to make choices, to care. Randy Nelson's novel, A Duplicate Daughter (Harvard Square Editions, 2017) is one such novel. His vivid rendering of the terrain of northern Mexico, his portraiture of palpable characters that can't be reduced to other than themselves, and his steady, intricate weaving of plot combine to make A Duplicate Daughter simply compelling and unforgettable. It makes you care about what's going on in the world of Amedeo Munoz, of Mia, and the one she calls Abuelita, and of Leala and Alejandro--more than you may expect to, but not more than you should. Because once there was an earthquake. And a child.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic debut novel by Randy Nelson. Set in the early 20th century, a baby girl is taken from her privileged but broken home in southern California and raised in isolated, rural Mexico. When a detective investigates the disappearance, a complex web of relationships unfolds. Nelson has a knack for compelling narrative, realistic dialogue, and complex characters. He raises questions about identities and family nurture, and the intricate structures of life that are not as solid as we might hope. Earthquakes feature large in the book, both real and metaphorical. A good historical novel will take you to places you can't go and Nelson's time machine is fantastic. I'll be patiently waiting for his next book.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb novel by Randy Nelson. The book is part mystery and part love story, though a love story on many levels: romantic love, parental love, familial love and love of place and of home. The book opens with the kidnapping of an infant girl and follows her--and those who love her--through the decades of the 20th century. The story unfolds on both sides of the Mexican border but primarily high in the Sierra Madre mountains of northern Mexico. Nelson's ability to give the reader a sense of place is uncanny, as is his ability to create characters that haunt the reader long after the book is finished. The author offers no easy answers about his complex characters, making it a perfect choice for reading groups everywhere.

A Duplicate Daughter

[Emily Eitniear · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. I must admit it was slow in parts but all in all a great read. I am not much for historical fiction but this had enough mystery to keep my attention. There were times that I felt lost in the identity struggles but the author was able to bring the story line around to solve those questions. I still feel like I have to many questions after finishing this story. Mia was an all-around great character throughout the story and Amadeo, although irritating at times, was described perfectly to keep you wondering and questioning the fatherhood of this man and the role he plays leading the village he had taken over.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked most about this book was how it felt like reading a fairytale, but it's not set in the type of environment you would typically expect for a fairytale. It's fun how Nelson plays with the expectations for this type of narrative. What was less satisfying is how the book wraps up with insane speed, covering many years in just a few pages, and doesn't fit well with the leisurely pace of everything prior. I think it would have worked better to leave some more mystery there at the end, and wait for the sequel in order to tackle the content of the final pages.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading. Amedeo Munoz takes his baby daughter away to the mountains of Northern Mexico only to be caught up in the horrific tragedy of an earthquake. In the aftermath a young women comes up to him with a baby and tells him this baby belongs to him. He raises this child in the mountains until twelve years later, her mother comes on the scene. The life of young Mia is about to change drastically. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend it.

[Zhelana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm halfway through this book, and I have no idea what it's about. One of the characters just committed suicide, and I have no idea who it was or what their relationship to the plot was. I'm not sure what is wrong with this book, but something is really wrong with it. I can't read it.

[Brittany Worsham · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars. I wanted to love this book because its author was one of my favorite professors at Davidson, but it was bogged down with too much description for my taste. I like a book to move faster, but I think people who enjoy lengthy descriptive paragraphs would really enjoy it.

[Jeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book beautifully written.