Reviews

Dom duchów by Isabel Allende

laurenw's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional

3.75

My best friend rated this as 'too much realism, not enough magic' and that is v apt. 
A multi-generational story about an intriguing family who appears to have drawn in every kind of trauma possible, the book is not bad, but it is chaotic. For all the claims of this focusing on a matriarchal line, and we do follow 4/5 generations of daughters, all the events in the book are framed through the perspective of 1 man, who is not a pleasant character. Obviously books can be enjoyable and still center a problematic character, but the role of Esteban (plural) throughout the story detracts from the spirit of the women this story should have been about. 
Ultimately, fell flat for me, but the political background and its rich cultural depictions were its shining grace. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Incest, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Outing, Toxic relationship, Sexism, War, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Vomit, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual content, Torture, Classism, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Abortion, Addiction, Body horror, Confinement, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Rape

Moderate: Lesbophobia, Animal death, and Miscarriage

lxc433's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

haileyybean's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

danahalmutairi's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

senhorafilipa's review against another edition

4.0

When people say maryl streep can play any role they are wrong. She managed to butcher clara, one of the most ethereal and lighter characters i've ever read

nataalia_sanchez's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cverendia's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

daughterofatom's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I keep describing this as 100 years of solitude but 1) more character focused and 2) more feminist. Yes horrible things happen to women, but they are not excused. The story follows a matriarchal line and shows the strength through that family bond. The different flaws and strengths the women brought to the family that helped them survive each era of change in their country.

lilia123's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

kapertures's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0