Reviews - Åndernes hus | The StoryGraph

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5.32k reviews for:

Åndernes hus

Isabel Allende

4.21 AVERAGE

sighapple's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous funny 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: No

The House of the Spirits is a tumultuous epic which chronicles four generations of two extraordinary families.
The eponymous house is large: it boasts three courtyards and a Chiléan version of the Addams Family.

A mainstay of magical realism is that characters are expected to be beautifully realised, and Allende doesn't disappoint.

Strong female roles abound in this captivating story, from Rosa (who has the maritime grace of a mermaid), to Clara the soothsayer (whose apocalyptic visions include exploding horses and cows that are hurled into the sea), and Tránsito Soto (the entrepreneurial prostitute who symbolises success in the face of adversity).

The books lead goes to reluctant altruist, Esteban Trueba, whose expectations of grandeur befit his pedigree, but not his habitude.
Trueba, wishing to mine for gold, takes control of a lawless chunk of godforsaken land.
Despite improving the social conditions of the peasants under his patronage, he becomes the most hated and feared scumbag in the entire region.
When done with kicking hens, throwing tantrums and raping village girls, he expects his subordinates to show him some gratitude. Seriously, what a complete arse!

This book stayed in my mind for months afterward. Stormy, dramatic and beautifully written!

Content Warnings

astigers's review against another edition

3.25

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

jojobxrx's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

vaty's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

lady_epoh's review against another edition

1.0

fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It is so bad, I want to give you a zero, but that's not possible, so I give you a one. For a “feminist writer” Allende sure loves making these damsel in distress ass women who have no development and blindly follow their love interest’s whims, and who are constantly subjected to the anger and violence of irredeemable and equally development-less male characters.

Content Warnings