khayes2's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

Most of her political and religious viewpoints align with my own, so I enjoyed learning about the things in her life that inspired and motivated her.

I was disappointed that the “history” of non-binary identities was told in such a euro-centric way with no references earlier than 1991. 

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thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative medium-paced

2.75

the soul of a woman is part memoir, part feminism treatise, and while an interesting enough read, imo it doesnt offer anything new. allende's feminist passions in her childhood and adolescence yrs are relatable and oft true yet hilarious, however the section in regards to real-world facts, figures and statistics often read like a simple regurgitation. this isnt a decent enough book, but there are better offerings for those looking for a book specifically abt feminism.

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gvstyris's review against another edition

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funny informative reflective fast-paced

3.0

I am not ready to pass the torch and hopefully I never will be. I want to light the torches of our daughters and granddaughters with mine. They will have to live for us, as we lived for our mothers, and carry on with the work we didn't have time to finish. 

This was my first time reading Allende, funnily enough, and I'm not quite sure she knew what she wanted to do with Mujeres del alma mía. It's something of a feminist manifesto and a slightly unserious memoir combined, and I enjoyed my time reading it enough to devour it one sitting. I can't say that I've gained much from the experience, though -- beyond an increased appreciation of Allende's career and drive.

My spur-of-the-moment purchase of this novel also unfortunately led to me reading the English translation, which undeniably changed my reading experience. If nothing else, I will say that I'm now more eager than ever to get my hands on a copy of El Viento Conoce Mi Nombre.

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bookswithbront's review against another edition

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funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

Reading this felt like talking to a very cool, progressive grandmother: winding and rambling and not always aligned with how I see the world, but ultimately full of beautiful insight. I think this is a book I’ll want to revisit when I’m older, too. 

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fatima_ff's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

If I could package this book up and re read it to people everywhere I would. If I could play this book in short bite-sized tiktok shaped pieces all over the internet I would. If I could reel-ify this for Instagram I would. 

It said everything. Every single thing you could possibly wanna say or hear from an elderly woman who has fought the good fight and stayed on the right side of history no matter the hardship or calamity that came for her. 

“There is no feminism without noise” 

“Defy. Disobey. And disrupt” the only way to end the patriarchy. 

I cannot believe this would be my jump into nonfiction! I’m SO in! 

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clarabooksit's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75


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_sam_m's review against another edition

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informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0


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gem114's review against another edition

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funny informative slow-paced

2.5

I wish I could rate this book in two parts. The first half was a very interesting memoir about Isabel Allende's life and upbringing. The second half, however, felt like a knock-off of the Vagina Monologues re-written as a textbook. At one point, she even mentioned the Vagina Monologues, and I had to roll my eyes because of how obvious it had been that the monologues inspired much of what she was writing about. I realize that sounds harsh, but it was pretty disappointing compared to the first half of the book.

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sammantha's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0


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itshannahivy's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0


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