Reviews

Más allá del invierno by Isabel Allende

kimberlyespinal's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring medium-paced

4.0

lely12's review against another edition

4.0

Mi primer libro favorito es de Isabel Allende (La ciudad de las bestias). Le tengo mucho cariño a la autora. Pienso que es de esas personas que es capaz de introducir en la lectura a niños y adultos. Sin embargo, llevaba varios años un poco desilusionada con sus libros nuevos. El año pasado leí Violeta y si bien era una historia entretenida y relevante, estaba empezando a pensar que ya no podría seguir leyendo más libros de ella.
Este libro me hizo cambiar de opinión. Lo empecé a escuchar porque fue el único audiolibro que pille en la biblioteca pública para pedir sin espera y vaya sorpresa que me lleve.
Ambientado en NYC (vivo acá) y hablando nuevamente de niños migrantes que vienen a Estados Unidos. Es el cuarto libro que leo sobre este tema y cada uno muestra esa realidad brutal de la que prácticamente no se habla en un país tan al fin del mundo como Chile. Quizás ahora un poquito más con los problemas migratorios que llegaron a ese país. Aunque se escucha poca sobre este lado de la historia.
Como siempre, escuchar en detalle sobre personas que podrían ser tus padres, amigos o vecinos es algo que disfruto y recomiendo.
Recomiendo mucho este libro.

myworldtoread's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, and Murder

Moderate: Suicide

readerrho's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

fuckthisshit's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-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? No

4.0

dyerra's review against another edition

1.0

I did not enjoy this book. The first rule of writing fiction is, "show, don't tell." Meaning that instead of telling your readers what they need to know about characters, you show the characters' traits through their actions. Ms. Allende does the exact opposite. What little dialogue there is seems forced and unnatural. The majority of this book is an omniscient narrator telling us about the characters, rather than the characters taking action on the plot.
Readers looking for a book with detailed histories of all of the characters might find this book satisfying; there are so many details about so many minor characters that the reader becomes bogged down in them. At some points it is difficult to discern who the main characters are. While it is admirable that Ms. Allende thought through the histories of each and every minor character, it becomes cumbersome and confusing. Ironically, the main characters still feel flat in spite of their detailed back stories. This is because all of the historical information is very fact based, but characters' emotional responses and reactions are never shown or discussed.
There are some interesting plots in the book, but they get lost in a sea of historical rambling that leaves readers confused and frustrated. Even the main love story in the book feels forced. It is a relationship of convenience - the author's convenience, not the characters'.
I know many people love Isabel Allende's writing, but I do not recommend this book. It is frustrating and tedious.

mwcw1matt's review against another edition

dark reflective 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? No

3.5

jasjadeserrano's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I struggle with rating this one because the individual backstories and histories Allende weaves together are fascinating. I was immediately engrossed in each character's personal story and found them, on their own, incredibly moving (and relevant). But the way Allende brings them together fell flat for me. I couldn't fully buy into the overarching plot meant to connect the characters; it felt too contrived. Everything tied up with too pretty of a bow (though I don't think anyone would disagree that the characters — Evelyn, especially — had suffered enough tragedy). In fact, the driving narrative ended so neatly, I can only believe that Allende herself was only halfway interested in it.

That said, I enjoyed this read. And if you like character studies and can more readily suspend your disbelief, then I'd say give this book a try.

glasi001's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

helenab18's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious fast-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

4.0