HFVBT Review and Giveaway: City of Promises by D. Grant Fitter

Title: City of Promises
Author: D. Grant Fitter
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Self-published
Publish Date: January 22, 2013
Source: HFVBT

What's the Story?:

From Goodreads.com: "When one credulous young country boy with lofty plans leaves his Mexican rural life for the promise and riches of the ‘big city’, will it live up to its reputation? In a unique fusion of fact and fiction, author D. Grant Fitter's social commentary gives a rare insight into life south of the border, recapturing the golden era of one of the world’s most eclectic cities.

"They call this the city of promise, Arturo, but it is a city of promises and very few of those promises are true."

Mexico City has always held a charm and allure that millions are unable to resist. Taking a trip back in time, CITY OF PROMISES revisits 1940s Mexico City, where one young man is coming of age with capricious gusto.

Arturo Fuentes' rise, his loves, and his relations with shady characters tell the compelling story of a place that both touched the hearts and shattered the dreams of millions."

My Two Cents:

"City of Promises" is the story of Arturo, who is trying to start a new life in Mexico City during the 1940s. This is a fascinating look at a very interesting time in Mexico's history seen through the eyes of someone who is absolutely dazzled by the city and all of the big personalities that fill it.

The star of this book was really the setting for me. Mexico City almost becomes a character in this book. Fun fact about Meg: I spent some time in Mexico City during college. I really enjoyed the city, which is a true treasure trove for history lovers. The way that Fitter described the city in the book really made it come to life for me. You get a good sense of not only what the city looked like but what it must have felt like to be in that place and but what Arturo must have felt like going through all that he does in this book. Fitter's Mexico City in the 1940s is a busy place filled with both beauty and a seedy underbelly. I liked seeing how the author was able to see both of those sides. If you like armchair traveling, this would be a great pick for you.

The writing in the book was pretty good and the story is interesting. There were a couple parts that were a little shaky but overall I really enjoyed the narrative. I liked following Arturo as he falls in love with the city and the women of the city. Overall, this would be a great book for those looking for a historical fiction take on one of Mexico's fascinating time periods.

Giveaway:

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Wednesday, April 16
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Friday, April 18
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Monday, April 21
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Friday, May 9
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Monday, May 12
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