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dani__gomezz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.5
A beautiful book where Isabel Allende’s own connection to the Chilean civil war and dictatorship. The story of Victor’s resilience and love in the face of uprooting himself constantly is touching. The book reads a little slow because it’s clear Allende is an expert on the history here, but other than that, it’s wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Police brutality, Death, War, Classism, Colonisation, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Torture
anniebh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
beverleyhomily's review against another edition
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
3.0
kitkat_2793's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Not my favorite Allende novel ever.
It is the late 1930's during the Spanish Civil War. Roser is a pregnant widow who winds up fleeing the country with her dead husband's brother Victor. They are not in love, but marry in order to better their chances of getting out. The two are amongst a number of refugees sponsored by famed poet Pablo Neruda to migrate to Chile. What follows is a story that spans over half of a century, telling the story of Roser and Victor's lives in Spain and then Chile.
It is the late 1930's during the Spanish Civil War. Roser is a pregnant widow who winds up fleeing the country with her dead husband's brother Victor. They are not in love, but marry in order to better their chances of getting out. The two are amongst a number of refugees sponsored by famed poet Pablo Neruda to migrate to Chile. What follows is a story that spans over half of a century, telling the story of Roser and Victor's lives in Spain and then Chile.
onethatsavesme's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
junglefabrixxx's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Stories like this one are worth a million reads. When I read Isabel Allende's books, I feel transported to the lives and experiences of the characters. In this case, Victor and Roser's story moved me to the point of almost crying at the end of the book, which is no easy feat.
I might think that this work is purely fictional, but knowing the desperation of Spanish refugees in the context of the civil war, and all the difficulties they experienced from fleeing to settling in a new country, away from everything they've known gives it a remarked sense of reality. How their feelings extrapolate the acuteness of the crisis and in the moment, how their impulses of survival and adaptability help them move on and work hard to fit in.
The sacrifices made by Roser and Victor are commendable. Sometimes telling a lie to protect your loved ones is acceptable if that means life or death. I won't lie that I would have loved the story to take a different turn in regards to Victor's involvement with the Del Solar family but, it still makes the story worthwhile.
Why don't I give it 5.0 stars?
Because it's missing that charm from the other novels, that traps you in a whirlwind of thoughts and keeps you interested from start to end. I felt it was somewhat off in parts, without care for details or moving on from one secondary storyline to another too fast. However, I still would recommend it if you like drama and romance, with history scattered all around it and an accurate description of the time period.
I might think that this work is purely fictional, but knowing the desperation of Spanish refugees in the context of the civil war, and all the difficulties they experienced from fleeing to settling in a new country, away from everything they've known gives it a remarked sense of reality. How their feelings extrapolate the acuteness of the crisis and in the moment, how their impulses of survival and adaptability help them move on and work hard to fit in.
The sacrifices made by Roser and Victor are commendable. Sometimes telling a lie to protect your loved ones is acceptable if that means life or death. I won't lie that I would have loved the story to take a different turn in regards to Victor's involvement with the Del Solar family but, it still makes the story worthwhile.
Why don't I give it 5.0 stars?
Because it's missing that charm from the other novels, that traps you in a whirlwind of thoughts and keeps you interested from start to end. I felt it was somewhat off in parts, without care for details or moving on from one secondary storyline to another too fast. However, I still would recommend it if you like drama and romance, with history scattered all around it and an accurate description of the time period.
clarasz's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
elsielouk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0