Reviews

I find Isabel Allende's writing captures my attention from the very beginning of the storis she tells. This story was no exception. She creates beautifully flawed characters that are neither black or white but all the shades of gray inbetween. The reason I gave it only 3 stars is because from the very beginning of the book I knew there would be only trouble in the future for the characters and no hope for happiness (although Blanca found some in the end). The pain and suffering gets to be too much and I would prefer some happiness thrown in amongst the pain.

readguin's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-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

3.75

kaodonnell98's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective 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

4.75

evaromero's review against another edition

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5.0

Prueba número 1 de que las lecturas obligatorias del colegio son una auténtica mierda. Mi primera experiencia con este libro fue: tengo que leerme este tostón para responder a las preguntas de un examen, genial, que ganas. Así que en aquel momento lo odié (lo leería de aquella manera, también te digo, porque no recordaba nada

tashaseegmiller's review against another edition

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4.0

This is absolutely a must read for anyone who wants to familiarize themselves with the leaders of the Latinx magical realism tradition. It is also more accessible than One Hundred Years of Solitude. Still, it is a lengthy, literary text that has LONG paragraphs and requires an attentive reader. There were times when I wondered if I wanted to keep reading, but how everything wraps up in the end made me glad I persevered.

wolfbridge's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

5.0

A beautiful work of fiction about generations, the baggage we carry, fascism, and the human soul.

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