“A compelling story that melds history and biography into the context of a passionate love affair, Our Lives Are the Rivers is a masterful piece of historical fiction.” — San Francisco Chronicle
From critically acclaimed author Jaime Manrique comes a breathtaking novel based on the life of one of the most controversial women in the history of the Americas
Our Lives Are the Rivers tells the sweeping story of beautiful young freedom fighter Manuela Saenz, and the epic tale of her love affair with liberator Simón Bolívar. A novel of intoxicating love, passion, and adventure, Manrique vividly captures a dynamic continent struggling for its own identity and a woman willing to risk it all for her country—and her lover—in whose legacy lies the history of an entire continent.
From critically acclaimed author Jaime Manrique, comes a breathtaking, sweeping novel based on the life of one of the most controversial women in the history of the Americas.
Before there was an Eva Peron, Collette, or Mata Hari, there was Manuela Saenz. Arguably one of the most fascinatingly sexy women in all history, she single–handedly helped to secure independence for much of South America from Spain.
Based on actual events, Our Lives Are The Rivers tells the life story of a woman who was willing to risk it all for her country –and her lover–and in whose legacy lies the history of an entire continent.
The novel begins in 1822, when Simón Bolívar, known as The Liberator, marches into Quito, victoriously leading an army that had overthrown its Spanish rulers, winning independence for a giant swath of land in what is now South America.
As he makes his way through the cheering crowds on the streets, his eye catches sight of Manuel Sáenz, a beautiful young woman of means who wore on her chest the gold medal of Knight of the Sun–the first honor given by the new republic to any woman in the New World. The attraction between them was so strong, they became lovers that same night, and remained together for the following 8 years, the last of Bolívar's life.
Told from the point of view of Manuela Saenz, as well as that of her two loyal slaves, Our Lives Are The Rivers is a novel of intoxicating love, passion, and adventure, with dynamic continent struggling for its own identity as its backdrop.
