THE SACRED WELL
Antoinette May, Harper Collins Publishers, April 2009, $14.95/C$16.25, April 2009, $24.99/C$27.99,pb,400pp, 978-0061695551 The Sacred Well is the story of two strong women; Sage Sanborn, a fictitious travel guide reporter from the present, and Alma Reed, pioneer woman journalist from early twentieth century history. Antoinette May tells a story within a story with a sense of mirrored coincidences between the two women roles who live over eight decades apart.
Sent to The Yucatan in 1922, by her editor, Alma is a part of a group of archeologists whose destination is to the lost city of the Mayan. Her ticket of acceptance is a phony Ph.D. and credentials supplied by her boss. She knows the team will be her news source, but she quickly has the opportunity to interview the new governor, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, considered a man of the people. She is drawn to the charismatic leader
like waves meeting the shore, impossible to resist.
Alma is given information which enables her to write an article for the New York Times exposing the theft of valuable artifacts worth over 2 million dollars, from The Temple of Kukulkan in Chitchen Itza. Known as Mouth of the Well, this was a deep sacrificial well with a macabre history.
Sage is also on her way to The Yucatan sometime in the present. Her fascination with the legendary Alma Reed is somewhat monomanic. The fiery romance that sparked between Alma and Felipe is renowned. Their love was passionate and caliente, until tragic prescient events separated them.
The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is a mysterious place that brings deep love and broken hearts to both Sage and Alma. May describes the landscape of the Mayan ruins and Mexican countryside as painter Frieda Kahlo would have filled a canvas. Mays’ richly historic novel about Alma Reed should be savored slowly and enjoyed with emotional energy and quiet repose.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011]. ( )

I have been to Mexico on two separate occasions and not once have I been to visit the Chichen Itza ruins. Now I am seriously regretting that decision and the destination is going on my PLACES TO VISIT BEFORE I DIE list. This historical novel tells the true story of Alma Reed, a reporter in 1920s San Francisco that after saving the life of young Mexican boy on death row, makes an archealogy expedition to the ruins. She uncovers shocking information and hears incredible Mayan legends as well as begins a heartbreaking romance with Felipe, the governor of Yucatan, a married man. While learning about Alma and the moral dilemmas she faced in Mexico, readers are also introduced to a modern day heroine, Sage. Sage is writing about Alma and facing some similar choices. She has a partner of twelve years that has become a demanding, bed ridden patient rather than a supportive lover. When a man named David sweeps her off her feet, Sage must make some hefty decisions not unlike those of Alma. She must choose between Mark and David. Will she follow a path like Alma chose?

I really enjoyed this. It was a quick, light, easy read with great research put into it. The descriptions were "just right," not too much nor too little. I managed to feel like I was in Mexico wearing a flapper dress and it didn't take Ms. May 5 paragraphs of descriptive details to accomplish that. A good read. I think it could have done completely without the modern day heroine and not lost a beat. ( )

This book has everything a good book needs; a little history, lots of culture, romance, intrigue, and tragedy. Being one who loves to travel to the Yucatan I immediately fell in love with May's very accurate descriptions of some of the things I love about the area. If you have never been to the area before, seen Chichen Itza, or a cenote which is what May refers to as the sacred well you will want to go after reading this book.
May gives readers an amazing look at what life was like during the 1920s for women who wanted to have careers as well love as she tells the fascinating and true story of reporter Alma Reed (a.k.a. La Peregrina) and her famously passionate love affair with Mexican Governor Filipe Carrillo Puerto that becomes a roller coaster as the two are turned into political pawns.
Alma Reed accompanies archaeologists to the ruins of Chichen Itza, where a fortune in Mayan artifacts has been stolen from a sacrificial well. It's believed a curse was unleashed by the theft. In the beginning she finds the curse nothing but a good story to make her career but after many twist and turns in her adventure and the bad fortune bestowed upon not only herself but the (slightly hippy for his time) archeologist Edward Thompson who found the artifacts. The books is full of interesting characters. May also, tells the story of Sage Sanborn an author in the current century who become intrigued by the story of La Perigrina (Alma Reed) as well as the stranger who told her the story while she was on vacation in Merida, Yucatan. David is scientist who 1st tells Sage the story of La Perigrina when she takes refuge from the rain in a Bar in Merida. He encourages her to delve deeper into Alma Reed's history. She takes a job writing the the story of La Peregina and while traveling to and from the Yucatan she discovers the many things she and Alma have in common. Sage struggles with her developing love for David as well as the need she feels to stay home and be the sole care taker of ailing partner whose children do not help ease the stress of such a responsibility. Her decision will change her life forever. ( )