I was drawn to this book because it took place in Italy, had Salvador Dali as a character, referenced mythology, and contained descriptions of fabulous meals. The author did a great job of integrating all of these elements. I know quite a bit about Dali and Gala, and I felt they were realistically portrayed, as were all of the characters. I didn't need to be familiar with the mythology because the pertinent points of the myths were included in the novel. The story was mysterious and very entertaining. I think this book would be enjoyed by fans of the All Souls series by Deborah Harkness.

What I will remember most about this novel is the stunningly beautiful use of words to convey feelings and images! The author possesses an amazing gift in her ability to put into words things that I did not imagine could be described. This is an immigration story, a war story, a historical drama, a family saga, but, mostly a love story. I felt the longing and sorrow emanate from the pages. The resiliency of the human spirit is exhibited many times over. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the amount of uncertainty that was present in people's lives prior to modern methods of communication. I look forward to reading more by this author.

This book is difficult to get into. Persevere! I recommend reading the first two chapters, reading a Wikipedia article on the 1991 Haitian coup d'état, and then skimming the first two chapters again. That will give you enough information to get into the story. After 50 pages, it flowed very well. I learned so much about Haiti from this book! The story was gripping, even if I never did figure out exactly who a lot of the Haitian military members were. I especially enjoyed the stories of family, friends, and lovers, and the details about Haitian life. It is hard to categorize this book…It is part historical fiction, part governmental/political fiction, and part world fiction (at least to this US reader). I think a list of characters with a short description of who each is would go a long way to eliminating confusion and allow the reader to access the story more easily.

The strength of this book is the story itself. It was wonderful to experience Pearl's journey with her, but without the physical hardships that she endured. Cuba as a location on an immigrant's journey to the United States is one that I had not previously encountered in my reading. The difference in the three sisters' experiences added depth and points of comparison to Pearl's journey. I do wish that Pearl's inner thoughts had been conveyed in a more in-depth and revealing way. However, the book was set in a time when a woman like Pearl would not have had the education and experiences that modern readers do, so the simplicity of her thoughts may be in keeping with the time period of the story.

I loved everything about this book! It was an engaging story, revealed through the perspectives of three characters within four decades. The book's non-linear time line worked wonderfully, with each chapter adding dimension to the characters and story line, without ever being disorienting.The themes of identity, family, expectation, and loyalty provided emotional depth to the story. The ending caught me by surprise, but was a fitting one. Once you start reading, you will find excuses to keep reading the next chapter. I hope the author continues writing novels!

I cannot believe this book is the author's debut novel! It was precisely written with character development that enabled me to understand and be empathetic to all the main characters. I thought the technique of introducing the characters in the first section, and the country, government, and tribes in the second section of the novel was very effective in providing the background and understanding of what was to come. This is a story of the tragedy of war, the hope of love and acceptance, and the universality of the human experience.
Thank you to BookBrowse and W.W. Norton & Company for the advance reading copy.

I love reading fiction by international authors because of the cultural subtleties that come through in the story telling. The author's beautiful use of language and the unique writing style immediately captivated me. The variety of characters from representative groups of people inhabiting South Africa added depth and perspective to the story. The structure of the book was also very effective, allowing the reader to hear from Alisa directly. Moreover, the story had universal appeal, with themes of identity, belonging, and home. However, the African folk stories were not easy for me to understand and integrate into the storyline, even when reading some of them through a second time, which was disappointing for me.

I had not read any of the author's work prior to hearing about this book. Given that Natural History includes characters from prior stories, I decided to read Ship Fever and Servants of the Map first. I highly recommend reading these two other collections prior to reading Natural History. Having the back story on the characters enhanced my reading experience. The author's writing style is precise, with just the right balance of historical and scientific details contained in decidedly human stories. Unfortunately, "The Regimental History" did not appeal to me due to the subject matter. However, it was well written and is essential reading because it ties into the other stories. I am thrilled to have discovered this author!

I don't read a lot of non-fiction books. However, I was immediately drawn to this book because it was the story of two sisters, with very similar childhood backgrounds, yet vastly different adult lives due to the Chinese Civil War. I was eager to learn about a part of history I knew little about through different lenses. Part I of IV was a bit fragmented because it dealt with childhood memories and experiences, which are in bits and pieces most people's minds. However, the remainder of the book flowed well. I was amazed at the perseverance of both sisters, and their ability to adapt and overcome difficulties. As the author wrote, "It was the tremendous force of will they had in common that … powered them." There were so many fascinating details included! Often, what I read was literally jaw dropping! This is a remarkable book about two remarkable women. Readers of both fiction and non-fiction books will be taken in by their stories.

On a Night of a Thousand Stars is enlightening historical fiction, illuminating a part of history not commonly known. The story is told in segments that alternate between the 1970's and 1998, which is especially effective because the reader learns about the past in parallel with the young protagonist of 1998. What begins as curiosity about a family member grows into a larger mystery about Argentina's "Dirty War." The reader experiences adventure and romance, as well as fear and suspense. As the story unfolds, the book gains momentum, propelling the reader along as the truth is discovered and revealed. This book is satisfying in every way historical fiction should be, educating while simultaneously engaging and entertaining the reader.