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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Da bambina, avevo iniziato a leggerlo e ricordo di averlo lasciato lì perché non mi piaceva per nulla. Trent'anni dopo, grazie al club del libro, ci ho riprovato e... wow. Bellissimo, emozionante e divertente.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
«Había comenzado a despedirse también de la luz para entrar lentamente en las sombras»
Mi primer libro de Isabel Allende ha sido una gran revelación: me absorbió la densidad de su relato, me conmovió la historia de los Trueba en sus múltiples generaciones, me permitió habitar e imaginar su mundo que sentí tan particular como familiar. Mi único reproche, que no tiene mucho que ver con el libro en sí, es su similitud con Cien Años de Soledad. Si bien es conceptual, principalmente por el realismo mágico que exuda de sus páginas, nunca se me quitó la sensación de estar leyendo una especie de fan fiction (sorry) increíblemente bien contada, pero muy cerca de la inspiración original como para que me encantara. Espero leer más de la autora pronto, aunque dejaré descansar sus letras, pues el libro me dejó emocionalmente agotado y no puedo esperar a cambiar de aires literarios
Mi primer libro de Isabel Allende ha sido una gran revelación: me absorbió la densidad de su relato, me conmovió la historia de los Trueba en sus múltiples generaciones, me permitió habitar e imaginar su mundo que sentí tan particular como familiar. Mi único reproche, que no tiene mucho que ver con el libro en sí, es su similitud con Cien Años de Soledad. Si bien es conceptual, principalmente por el realismo mágico que exuda de sus páginas, nunca se me quitó la sensación de estar leyendo una especie de fan fiction (sorry) increíblemente bien contada, pero muy cerca de la inspiración original como para que me encantara. Espero leer más de la autora pronto, aunque dejaré descansar sus letras, pues el libro me dejó emocionalmente agotado y no puedo esperar a cambiar de aires literarios
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is clearly a masterpiece. In weaving together so much of Chilean history into a compelling narrative of this family culminating in a powerful account of the nightmare of the coup and early years of the dictatorship, it is a triumph of the imagination.
BUT -- I have two major reservations:
1) That the magical realism is more magical than realistic, especially for American readers who aren't deeply familiar with Chilean history. It may mystify and exoticize more than it helps people see the reality of the world. (Admittedly, this may be more of a criticism of a particular audience than the book.)
2) But I'm also deeply suspicious of the conclusion that resolves the historical conflict and traumas depicted so well in the novel in the reconciliation of Alba and her grandfather. This seems far too easy and evasive.
BUT -- I have two major reservations:
1) That the magical realism is more magical than realistic, especially for American readers who aren't deeply familiar with Chilean history. It may mystify and exoticize more than it helps people see the reality of the world. (Admittedly, this may be more of a criticism of a particular audience than the book.)
2) But I'm also deeply suspicious of the conclusion that resolves the historical conflict and traumas depicted so well in the novel in the reconciliation of Alba and her grandfather. This seems far too easy and evasive.
Took me a month to read and annotate, but its cyclical nature is remarkable, both in style and structure. Allende executed this not only beautifully, but perfectly. On a side note, if Pedro Tercero and Blanca didn't end up together, I'd be denouncing her as a heartless, cruel reptile. Just saying.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
I enjoyed the parts about the spirits, family, resistance, and resiliency. I hate the casualness in which rape is spoken about.
Relentless, brutal and epic. Not sure about the magical realism aspects, but compelling storytelling.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Heads up: going into this book with an understanding of Allende’s family background and the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile will add a layer of depth you didn’t know you needed. I wish I could erase it from my memory so I could read it again for the first time.