A Daughter’s Place by Martha Batiz follows real historical figure, Isabel de Cervantes (a surname she did not gain until much later), the illegitimate daughter of Miguel de Cervantes, the famous author of Don Quixote. In 1599 Madrid, Isabel is plucked from her humble life working in a tavern and supporting her little sister and grandmother by an elegant woman claiming to be her aunt. Against her will, Isabel is taken by her aunt Magdalena to live in the Cervantes household with her other aunts and her cousin Constanza. She does not meet her father at first however, due to his job as a traveling tax collector. What’s more, Miguel has a wife, Catalina, and another home altogether. The problem soon presents itself with both Isabel and Catalina not knowing about the existence of each other.
Due to social norms and expectations, Isabel is integrated into the Cervantes household posing as a maid rather than a family member. Gossip soon spreads, however, due to Isabel’s resemblance to her father. Isabel starts as a naive teenager lacking formal education and lacking “higher class” manners. Her cousin, Constanza, chafes against the sudden appearance of Isabel and resents her family’s new responsibility to her. A frenemy situation develops between Isabel and Constanza over the years, with the reader at first sympathizing with Isabel but by the end of the novel sympathizing with Constanza. The Wheel of Fortune turns, their social statuses and places in the world flip nearly opposite by the end. Despite the hardships she’s endured, or perhaps because of them, Isabel turns into someone unlikable – petulant and cruel in some cases.
The larger theme and scope of this novel is of course to highlight the important, but overlooked women in Miguel de Cervantes’ life. It explores how the trajectory of his life, and rise and fall of his fame shaped their lives as well. It highlights the historical reality of women living at the will and actions (good or bad) of the men they are attached to or associated with. While this is an important topic to explore and discuss, overall I found myself unable to connect with the characters on a deeper level as they always felt at an arm’s length. I think I perhaps felt this way due to the author’s style of a lot of telling over showing. There were also time jumps and important events glossed over that also contributed to my inability to completely connect with the characters.
A Daughter’s Place will be released May 20, 2025
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