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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I don't know much about South American history, so this was an interesting way to learn about the early colonization of Peru and Chile (much like [b:Island Beneath the Sea|7005479|Island Beneath the Sea|Isabel Allende|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1275611359s/7005479.jpg|6825396] was an interesting way to learn about Haitian and New Orleans history).
Allende took historical accounts of these events, specifically regarding Ines Suarez and Pedro de Valdivia, and fleshed them out into a novel featuring this couple who led the assault on the native inhabitants of Chile and subsequent colonization of the area. The characters were interesting, the events horrifying, but the plot wandered a bit. Some of the battle scenes and other passages I skimmed through.
Allende took historical accounts of these events, specifically regarding Ines Suarez and Pedro de Valdivia, and fleshed them out into a novel featuring this couple who led the assault on the native inhabitants of Chile and subsequent colonization of the area. The characters were interesting, the events horrifying, but the plot wandered a bit. Some of the battle scenes and other passages I skimmed through.
Ines of My Soul is a fictionalized account of the courageous Spanish woman who helped found Chile and was the mistress of its founder, Pedro. Ines is a terrific protagonist - brave but compassionate, beautiful and sexy. She is telling the story as an old, dying woman, and the story goes back and forth with the present.
The first half of the book is very well done, and tells the story of how Ines and Pedro came to Chile, their treacherous crossing of the Atacama Desert, and their early years in Chile. Unfortunately, I found that the second half of the book dragged quite a bit. The story becomes too much about Pedro and too little about Ines. Instead of being a book about a brave woman, it became the story of Pedro and Ines's lost love.
The sections in the present, as Ines is dying, become increasingly distracting and repetitive. I don't know if that's done on purpose, to underscore Ines's weakened state, but I didn't like it. It compares unfavorably to one of my favorite books, [b:Memoirs of a Geisha|930|Memoirs of a Geisha|Arthur Golden|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388367666s/930.jpg|1558965], which is also supposed to be dictated by an old woman, but is written much more clearly and in much more beautiful prose. That was another problem I had with the book - I just didn't find the writing that revelatory. I know that may be an issue with the translation, but I found some of the prose awkward and clunky, not what I expected from an author of Allende's stature.
I also found the type of narration problematic. Ines is too omniscient a narrator for her "old woman memoir" to be taken seriously. What the heck was that random inclusion of the POV of the Mapuche? I just didn't get it. Ines also at times come across as too progressive for her time. I'm totally willing to believe that she was a courageous woman who did many of the things portrayed, but her compassion for the Indians, especially the Mapuche who she believes slaughtered so many of her loved ones, doesn't track historically or even with the way the character is drawn.
While the book provides a good education about the history of the founding of Chile, it does not make me want to pick up another Allende book any time soon.
The first half of the book is very well done, and tells the story of how Ines and Pedro came to Chile, their treacherous crossing of the Atacama Desert, and their early years in Chile. Unfortunately, I found that the second half of the book dragged quite a bit. The story becomes too much about Pedro and too little about Ines.
Spoiler
The fact that the book closes with Pedro's death confirmed for me that Allende became too entranced with the love story of Ines and Pedro, instead of the story of Ines.The sections in the present, as Ines is dying, become increasingly distracting and repetitive. I don't know if that's done on purpose, to underscore Ines's weakened state, but I didn't like it. It compares unfavorably to one of my favorite books, [b:Memoirs of a Geisha|930|Memoirs of a Geisha|Arthur Golden|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388367666s/930.jpg|1558965], which is also supposed to be dictated by an old woman, but is written much more clearly and in much more beautiful prose. That was another problem I had with the book - I just didn't find the writing that revelatory. I know that may be an issue with the translation, but I found some of the prose awkward and clunky, not what I expected from an author of Allende's stature.
I also found the type of narration problematic. Ines is too omniscient a narrator for her "old woman memoir" to be taken seriously. What the heck was that random inclusion of the POV of the Mapuche? I just didn't get it. Ines also at times come across as too progressive for her time. I'm totally willing to believe that she was a courageous woman who did many of the things portrayed, but her compassion for the Indians, especially the Mapuche who she believes slaughtered so many of her loved ones, doesn't track historically or even with the way the character is drawn.
While the book provides a good education about the history of the founding of Chile, it does not make me want to pick up another Allende book any time soon.
Beautifully written and interesting, but the last 50+ pages drag on too long.
Allende typically does an outstanding job with character development and scene. I don't have much interest in the topics of her books, like Daughter of Fortune (my favorite!) or Zorro, yet the storytelling is so engaging I become interested. Ines of My Soul is the exception. The history was intriguing to me, but parts of the story fell sort of flat. She seemed to gloss over some sections quickly, and then dwell on others that didn't end up having much significance. I never really got caught up, due to that pacing and the lack of insightful character development. And the gore & cruelty turned me off. I liked it, and think Allende is a gifted writer, but I don't think it's one of her best.
مصافحتي الاولى لليندي ايزابيل
رائعه ولو ان كثرة الشخصيات والاسماء كانت مزعجه ومشتته في البدايه
رائعه ولو ان كثرة الشخصيات والاسماء كانت مزعجه ومشتته في البدايه
Tremendo libro, por momentos cruel y violento, por momentos de una ternura y una ironía increíbles. ¡Me encantó!
I struggled to stay present while listening to the audio...not sure why—repeatedly zoning out and coming to minutes later, then having to rewind to hear what I'd missed.
adventurous
emotional
informative
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
This was a very well written book, and the voice of the narrator/main character was very strong. There were a few parts when it got a little slow, but would quickly pick back up and resume the epic, dramatic, and violent storyline. I already have a few other books by Allende picked out to read someday, and look forward to them.