This novel is a great example of romantic literature from Cuba in the 1840's. It was written before Uncle Tom's Cabin but still shows the situation of slaves and the need for reform. A must read for people interested in slavery or early female writers. The romantic movement in literature is very strong in this book but still provides a great historical viewpoint.

The translations of Sor Juana into English included here are the least inspired I have read, particularly of the more than 15+ versions of Sonnet 145 in existence, which this translator fails to engage even to "write against" them. In fact, these renditions read like artless trots for footnotes in an old Spanish language-learner's textbook, ignoring the last half-century of critical readings of them. (Make what arguments you like about a poet not being required to translate poetry.)

Also, it is a discredit to the profession of translation to omit all mention of translation strategy in the introduction. To pretend that the English emerged fully formed is to de-emphasize the critical process involved in translation.

I used this book in a 400-level course on Colonial and 19th Century women writers in Latin America. Nina Scott has compiled an excellent selection of works that provide a good survey of Latin American women writers and gender relations, from Isabel de Guevara to Clorinda Matto de Turner. Scott has also included several hard-to-find texts, including many personal letters. Readers will find these both interesting and enlightening.
Each text is included in both the original Spanish and in an English translation by Scott. The translations are quite loyal to the original and serve as a good and easy reference for readers unfamiliar with the older Spanish dialects of the earliest texts. Scott also individually discusses and briefly analyzes each author's work.
Madres del Verbo is a great conversation-starter and a solid introduction to a broad range of women writers and gender issues in Latin America.