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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.5 me sorprende lo mucho que pudo escalar este libro, cada miembro de la familia es grande a su manera y logras empatizae con todo. Mi único problema es que algunos temas se profundizan demasiado a él punto de volverse tediosos, pero además de eso todo bien.
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
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
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
tense
medium-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
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Translated by Magda Bogin
This is a sweeping family saga that traces three generations of the Trueba family and their ascent to power, all set against the backdrop of political upheaval and societal change. Allende masterfully weaves magical realism into the fabric of everyday life, creating a rich, immersive and at times humorous narrative.
The family dynamics are rife with passion, betrayal, violence and paternalism.
The heart of the story is their two homes, a grand city mansion and rural hacienda, Tres Marias, where the patriarch, Esteban is the domineering patron. Esteban is an unlikable figure - brutal, violent, remorseless and focused on the accumulation of wealth and status to overcome his modest origins. The woman surrounding him suffer under his control, until his granddaughter challenges him.
Allende explores a wide range of complex themes with compassion and depth: political revolution, class structures, the helplessness of the land labourers, poverty, romance, and the suffering of women. The characters are unique, vivid, and multifaceted, each offering a distinct voice and perspective that adds emotional depth and richness to the story.
Despite its length, the story grips you. It’s a haunting, lyrical, and powerful novel that I highly recommend.
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-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:
No
The House of the Spirits was an atmospheric and descriptively rich read. I completely understand why it’s seen as a classic of Latin American literature. The plot is thoughtfully developed and the way magical realism blends into the reality of Chilean historical events is quite unique.
I do have some reservations about the novel, firstly because I feel that the foreshadowing was done in a way that fell flat. Instead of letting the reader uncover things gradually, the book often just flatly tells you what’s going on. I think that softened much of its emotional impact, which could have been more profound.
A lot of the time, the characters kept doing things that felt really out of place for who they were described to be by that point in the story. Much of the character development does not read as organic and it feels like the story is being pushed forward whether the characters are ready or not.
Regardless, it was still a very enjoyable read. I just wish the emotional pacing had been a bit more subtle.
I do have some reservations about the novel, firstly because I feel that the foreshadowing was done in a way that fell flat. Instead of letting the reader uncover things gradually, the book often just flatly tells you what’s going on. I think that softened much of its emotional impact, which could have been more profound.
A lot of the time, the characters kept doing things that felt really out of place for who they were described to be by that point in the story. Much of the character development does not read as organic and it feels like the story is being pushed forward whether the characters are ready or not.
Regardless, it was still a very enjoyable read. I just wish the emotional pacing had been a bit more subtle.