mslisadenise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rhonaea's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful rich and satisfying read, Isabel Allende is a favourite and this sweeping historical work is one to be proud of. Starting out in pre-Civil War Barcelona, the defeated Spanish revolutionaries flee Franco over Andorra and are incarcerated in horrific conditions on Argeles Sur Mer.
Incredibly poet and diplomat Pablo Neruda intervenes to commission a refugee transport, on the brink of European war, to Chile. The migrants meet a mixed reception to carve out new lives in a Chile vacillating between Left and Right, revolution, imprisonments, unspeakable cruelty, passion and coups follow.
All of this is delicately front-faced with family, love and complex relationships. If you enjoyed The Memory Stones by Caroline Brothers, The Air We Breathe by Frances de Pontes Peebles or Hemingway’s For Whom The Bell Tolls, you will love this.
Other suggestions- well Neruda of course, Winter in Madrid, The Time in Between and Homage to Catalonia.
Incredibly poet and diplomat Pablo Neruda intervenes to commission a refugee transport, on the brink of European war, to Chile. The migrants meet a mixed reception to carve out new lives in a Chile vacillating between Left and Right, revolution, imprisonments, unspeakable cruelty, passion and coups follow.
All of this is delicately front-faced with family, love and complex relationships. If you enjoyed The Memory Stones by Caroline Brothers, The Air We Breathe by Frances de Pontes Peebles or Hemingway’s For Whom The Bell Tolls, you will love this.
Other suggestions- well Neruda of course, Winter in Madrid, The Time in Between and Homage to Catalonia.
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect for fans of epic family sagas, this put me in a mind to travel and learn more about Chile. Pick it up if you loved Fountains of Silence!
harriet64's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of crying, a lot of learning, a lot of connecting.
amandalucas's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.0
nahyan's review against another edition
4.0
This epic story brilliantly portrayed the struggles and suffering caused by Spanish Civil war and civil unrest in Chile, while simultaneously weaving stunning characters and their complex relationships. I enjoyed learning about the rich history in both these countries while following Victor and Rosser’s journey. Seeing them navigate through their life and all their obstacles were truly inspirational. The only pitfall was at times I found the book a bit impersonal because it spanned such a long period of time and it’s third person narrative. Excited to read more of Isabel Allende’s works in the future!
audjmo91's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm a sucker for a epics like this one, in which we follow a family over a period of many years and see the rise and fall, push and pull of people entering and leaving, and how that affects the fates of the characters you grow to love. While it took me a little time to warm to Victor and Roser's world (such as it is our own cruel one but before I was born), I felt such compassion for them as they moved through civil wars, years in exile, family separations and reunions, showing the remarkable, but not uncommon, resilience that so many people in these situations must endure. To read this in a time where there is debate about ethnic cleansing and genocide happening in real time shows how much history repeats, and how much more we have to learn.
cpwang65's review against another edition
5.0
An interesting book. This one is definitely historical fiction, much different than other books I have read from the same author.
Roser and Victor have fled Spain into France during the Spanish Civil War (when Franco took over) into Spain during the 1930’s. Roser has given birth to Marcel, whose father is Victor’s dead brother, having died in the war.
By chance, Pablo Neruda, the famed Chilean poet hosts a ship to take Spanish refugees to Chile. Rosa and Victor marry so they are related, and qualify for the trip to Chile. This book follows these characters and others through the history of Chile including some bad times during the rule of Pinochet, during which the characters take refuge in Venezuela.
According to the note by the author following the book, this book is based on true people. The story certainly kept my interest and the characters were worthy of investing time in reading this book.
Roser and Victor have fled Spain into France during the Spanish Civil War (when Franco took over) into Spain during the 1930’s. Roser has given birth to Marcel, whose father is Victor’s dead brother, having died in the war.
By chance, Pablo Neruda, the famed Chilean poet hosts a ship to take Spanish refugees to Chile. Rosa and Victor marry so they are related, and qualify for the trip to Chile. This book follows these characters and others through the history of Chile including some bad times during the rule of Pinochet, during which the characters take refuge in Venezuela.
According to the note by the author following the book, this book is based on true people. The story certainly kept my interest and the characters were worthy of investing time in reading this book.
llona_llegaconlalluvia's review against another edition
4.0
guerra civile spagnola, dittatura di Franco
Golpe cileno, dittatura di Pinochet
(isabelle Allende è sempre una grande scrittrice ma ha perso la poesia)
Golpe cileno, dittatura di Pinochet
(isabelle Allende è sempre una grande scrittrice ma ha perso la poesia)