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jinmichae's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It mostly explores the full lives and loves of the main two characters and how they were affected by the Spanish Civil War, what was done in Chile on September 11, 1973, and other instances closer to their family. I enjoyed it--the writing was beautiful as always, the subject interesting and giving voice to parts of history I haven't encountered before--but because it was many narratives coming together, it didn't have as much focus as I prefer.
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Deportation, Medical content, Pregnancy, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Xenophobia, Dementia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Torture, Gore, Terminal illness, and Genocide
Minor: Addiction, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Rape, Cancer, Abortion, Confinement, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Racism, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Colonisation, and Homophobia
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book still serves as an interesting view into what the Spanish Civil War was like even if it just felt like an excerpt in a history textbook for the majority of the time.
Edoardo Ballerini does an excellent job narrating the work and at no point did his reading voice detract from the experience.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and War
Moderate: Pregnancy, Torture, and Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence, Child death, and Cancer
kelly_e's review
- 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
4.25
Author: Isabel Allende
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: May 21, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Powerful • Beautiful • Profound
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In the late 1930s, civil war grips Spain. When General Franco and his Fascists succeed in overthrowing the government, hundreds of thousands are forced to flee in a treacherous journey over the mountains to the French border. Among them is Roser, a pregnant young widow, who finds her life intertwined with that of Victor Dalmau, an army doctor and the brother of her deceased love. In order to survive, the two must unite in a marriage neither of them desires.
Together with two thousand other refugees, Roser and Victor embark for Chile on the SS Winnipeg, a ship chartered by the poet Pablo Neruda: "the long petal of sea and wine and snow." As unlikely partners, the couple embraces exile as the rest of Europe erupts in world war. Starting over on a new continent, they face trial after trial, but they will also find joy as they patiently await the day when they might go home. Through it all, their hope of returning to Spain keeps them going. Destined to witness the battle between freedom and repression as it plays out across the world, Roser and Victor will find that home might have been closer than they thought all along.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Isabel Allende is an author whose books I've heard wonderful things about, yet have still never read. It made complete sense to include her on my 'Author Taste Test' challenge for 2023, especially since A Long Petal of the Sea already sat unread on my shelf. Allende embarks on the ambitious task of telling such a grand tale, and yet she does so with historical accuracy and poignant prose.
Spanning decades, continents, and the lives of many characters, this novel took me through the history of both Spain and Chile in the 20th century. With beautiful writing and impeccably crafted, Allende has weaved together love, war, family, and the search for belonging. I love historical fiction for many reasons, but mostly for gaining knowledge about past events I may know little about. This one definitely broaden my understanding and has encouraged me to seek out more diverse historical fiction, beyond WWI and WWII.
While there are many characters in this book, it is really Victor and Roser's story. Forced into an unconventional union they face many challenges yet remain hopeful. Their characters are so beautifully developed, where the reader is privy to their story layer upon layer and I was along for the heartbreaking ride.
This may have been my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. I look forward to exploring her backlist, as well as seeing what future projects she writes. And again I must take a moment to acknowledge the stunning cover. The colours, the gold detailing, even the font - all of it is just gorgeous.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• historical fiction lovers
• readers looking for diverse historical fiction
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Pain is unavoidable, but suffering is optional."
"Our land only rewards those who work hard in it."
"Poetry is what stays in your head and isn’t forgotten."
Graphic: Violence, War, Torture, Confinement, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Medical content, Rape, Grief, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Police brutality, Child death, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Body shaming, Misogyny, and Terminal illness
mysterymom40's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Death, Dementia, War, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Classism, Cancer, and Colonisation
the_clueless_tourist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Medical content, Violence, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Torture, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
claudia_bow's review
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Death, Infidelity, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Blood, Cancer, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Medical content, Police brutality, Sexual content, and Violence
kierscrivener's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, and Confinement
sarah984's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Fatphobia, Grief, Gore, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Medical content, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Dementia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Rape, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Torture, and Xenophobia