A review by nadia
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a beautifully written and translated novel with such a delightful use of magical realism. As with most of the books I read, I had no clue what to expect going in, but it wasn't long before I was captivated by the story and the storytelling. Normally I'm not one for magical realism (not that I've read many featuring it at all), but at times, this book literally felt like magic was within its pages and I was here for it.

Certain repeated behaviours from some of the main characters, and how they were relayed to the reader, did make for uncomfortable reading now and again, but then Allende's choices in which perspectives the story was told from do leave the reader conflicted about what to really think or feel.

Overall, a wonderfully told story which memorable protagonists!
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