A death for Beauty is a book which I must at first, seemed to be a "ho-hum...this woman is going to travel west and it will be a common trip" sort of book. I could not have been more wrong.

Yes, the main character Virginia Mae Mercy is traveling west during the Civil War with the haunting memory of two boys she lost in childbirth lying heavy on her heart, Virginia justifies her long dangerous trip with her daughter Triste, as a sign from God. She had wished and prayed for her husband Birdie to die, which he did in a way only the author can describe, and she sees this as an answer to her wish and a sign she should travel with an unscrupulous man named Clayton Fraquhar, his wife Sissy, and Reverend Thorpe the small group are clueless as to the dangerous journey they are about to partake.

Though Triste is thought by some to be disabled due to her odd ways and speech, I do not believe this to be true. She is a true daughter of her mother. The saying, "our children are a reflection of ourselves" seems appropriate here and considering the abuse Triste has observed and experienced, there seems to this reviewer, to be more "troubled youth" in Triste than that of a disability. As she is so young, she seems to be suffering inside while building a wall of comfort and protection around herself at the same time. Triste has been, as her mother, beaten down by life and her luck is as her mothers, it never improves.

Virginia is another story all in herself. She is determined to be strong and make a better life for herself and Triste, but despite her attempts, it seems the same type of wall Triste has built is also there to fraught every attempt Virginia tries to survive. Virginia may seem odd to some, but to others, she is a confused, complex woman who is confused and innocent to the trials this trip will produce to trip her up.

To tell of the ending of this book would not be fair to the author nor the reader. Not fair to the author as he has put so much of his emotions and insight within this book that it cuts to the heart one minute and the next, frightens the reader with it's amazingly realistic moments. It is a book that is filled with such emotion that the reader is left drained after closing the book for the final time.

And it would not be fair for the reader, in that this is book that must be experienced to be appreciated and no mere reviewer can capture the passion and style the author has put within it's pages but the author himself.

I highly recommend this book for those of high school age and older, with the warning that there are many descriptions of incidents which are disturbing yet artfully written that may prove too intense for a reader with a delicate nature. That said, this is a book that will grace my bookshelves for a long time. It is full of the angst of humankind, the evil, the good and the soul of a woman trying to come to terms with her life and how she has arrived where she has been led.

To those who wish to read a book which will stay within ones memory far past the time the book is put back on the shelves, this is your book. Acquire it and experience it. I promise, you will never be the same because of author Alberto Rios Arias. I know I certainly won't.

Reviewed on 08/08/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Susan Pettrone

Reviewed on 09/29/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Angela Simmons

It is not often that I read a novel that I would personally consider to be a masterpiece.  Alberto Rios Arias has done just that with A Death For Beauty.  Making no apologizes for the character and lifestyle of  Virginia Mae Mercy, her story is laid bare before the reader.  Love her or hate her, you will definitely be moved by the story of her life. 

Filled with rich imagery, I was totally enthralled through the whole story, laughing on some occasions, and actually weeping in others.  The depth of the author's study and research of the particular time frame  in American history is without equal.  I found the situations and characters to be true to life, and no effort was made to "sanitize" or make allowances for the characters and their failings.

Life hands some of us some truly horrendous circumstances, and good or bad, we are shaped by them.  I found Mr. Arias' ability to see into his character and bring her to life to be extraordinary. 

There is a truly magical and redemptive quality to the novel.  I  found the actual autobiographical information about the author and his fight with Marfan's Syndrome to add an additional depth to the story, and I felt the personal journey of his own life added even more depth and character to his perception of Virginia Mae Mercy.  I urge all readers to carefully and thoroughly read both the prologue of the story, and the additional information about the author. 

Some readers will find this a difficult read, and in some cases, it is.  However, you will find yourself moved and touched by the character of Virginia Mae Mercy in ways you can't truly understand until you read her story. 

I strongly urge you read this book.  It may very well change how you view certain aspects of life, hardship and death.

Reviewed on 09/11/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member LAURI COATES