A New York Times Notable Book Flora Tristan the illegitimate child of awealthy Peruvian father and French mother grows up in poverty and journeys toPeru to dema... » 

A New York Times Notable Book Flora Tristan the illegitimate child of awealthy Peruvian father and French mother grows up in poverty and journeys toPeru to demand her inheritance. On her return in 1844 she makes her name as achampion of the downtrodden touring the French countryside to recruit membersfor her Workers Union. In 1891 Floras grandson struggling painter andstubborn visionary Paul Gauguin abandons his wife and five children for lifein the South Seas where his dreams of paradise are poisoned by syphilis thestifling forces of French colonialism and a chronic lack of funds though hehas his pick of teenage Tahitian lovers and paints some of his greatest works.Flora died before her grandson was born but their travels and obsessionsunfold side by side in this double portrait a rare study in passion andambition as well as the obstinate pursuit of greatness in the face of illnessand death. «