Reviews tagging 'Death'

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

109 reviews

theskyboi's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense 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

4.0

What can my review possibly add to a book that is celebrating its 40th anniversary? The House of the Spirits fits snugly into the moniker of "debut novel," given the old adage to "write what you know." As a patchwork history of Chile in the 20th century, as well as a saga of the purportedly fictional Trueba family's women, this book weaves magical realism and historical fiction into an unforgettable read that any author would feel lucky to consider their first foray into fiction.

Having read the novel in Spanish, I feel both blessed and cursed to have had access to the original text; I was enchanted and haunted in equal measure. While the book deals largely in political and historical themes, the legacies of the women within the Trueba family are at the crux of the story. From Clara's clairvoyance to Blanca's indecision and to Alba's tenacity, this book illustrates the power that comes with sharing the stories that are most personal to us.

Often taking a circuitous path between past and present, the prose of this novel is what enchants the reader most of all. From the moment that Clara has her first premonition until the narrator utters that final phrase, reading this book is a challenge rewarded with mischief, absurdity, solemnity, and satisfaction. However, that flowery language Allende seems predisposed to include in her story did result in a rather slow-paced read, so consider yourself warned.

In light of warnings, the content of this novel, while fictionalized, does align with the true struggles of the life of 20th-century Chileans. The violence perpetuated across lines of gender, class, and race is far too prevalent in this book for me not to warn any potential readers. While typically dealt with in ways that I find historically accurate to the spirit of many lived experiences, I do note the very graphic nature of this novel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Car accident, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Incest, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Violence, War, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Rape

seawarrior's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

4.0

While I felt that this book was difficult to initially get invested in since the plot didn't have a clear direction, and the narrator was unknown, once I fell into the story I was able to appreciate how lyrical and magical the writing is, even when describing horrific events. At its roots, this is a story about how a single patriarch destroys an entire country. Yet it blooms a story of family triumph and tragedy, of love that endures destruction, and how acts of violence are never restrained to a single point in time. It's a modern epic that is as rewarding to read as it is distressing. Although reading it does require a level of acceptance that this family is steeped in racism, misogyny and the violence inherent to massive wealth, I did think the book has worth. I would recommend it to those that can withstand reading about the subject matter, namely, the egregious sexual, physical, and political violence the leading character commits over his seemingly never-ending lifetime.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Death, Rape, War, Torture, Slavery, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Lesbophobia

tangerinetea's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape

leonor_mozo's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Rape, Death, Violence, and Sexism

naomrose's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Torture

Moderate: Rape

norimee's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Racism, Torture, Ableism, Death, Grief, Police brutality, Rape, Addiction, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Abortion

jackshortstack's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Pedophilia, and Death

Moderate: Sexual assault, War, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Torture

carol_marinho's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Easily one of the most unique books I have ever read. One of my favorite ones from now on. Recommend it a lot!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Sexual assault, Violence, and Police brutality

Moderate: War and Rape

Minor: Death, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, and Domestic abuse

ryann_400's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

This is MUST READ, no book has challenged my concept of time, family and politics like this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Torture, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Blood, War, Violence, Rape, Police brutality, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Gun violence, Incest, Blood, Car accident, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Miscarriage, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

anemonima's review against another edition

dark funny sad 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 didn't know the war was an important subjet in this story and certainly I wasn't expecting it. I hated Esteban Trueba since the first time he appeared until his death. Isabel's characters are so well writen. I'll always miss Clara.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Torture, Rape, Abortion, and Death

Moderate: Sexual content and Sexism