September 22

Saving the World (2006)

By Julia Alvarez

This novel is told in two voices: 1) Isabel, a 19th-century Spanish spinster charged with escorting a group of orphan boys carrying live smallpox virus for inoculation in the New World, and 2) Alma, a contemporary Dominican writer chronicling the story of Isabel.  Both women are dedicated to idealistic men: the first to the doctor who seeks to vaccinate all those living in the Spanish colonies and Alma to her husband working at an AIDS clinic in Alma's native country.  Isabel and Dr Balmis face hostility and skepticism in their venture, but eventually Dr Balmis succeeds in persuading high level Mexicans to be vaccinated.  Isabel's husband Richard is taken hostage by a group of young radicals. Both women face disappointment and loss and, I believe, the question of whether their leader/husband's efforts were worthwhile or justified.

Dr Balmis is an historic figure who truly did lead a small-pox eradication mission in 1804.  This would be a good choice for a book group or high school English class.