misterintensity's review against another edition
3.0
The death of Maya Videl's grandfather starts a downward tumble of alcohol and drug addiction that eventually makes her a target of a group of drug dealers. Maya's grandmother, Nini sends her to an old friend in Chile, Manuel Arias, to hide her from the dealers and to give her a chance to put her life back together. Isabel Allende attempts to weave the genres of literary fiction with a dash of magical realism and thriller together. While she creates a compelling story the mishmash of genres does not quite succeed. Her attempt at writing a thriller does not quite capture what works within that genre. Yet the central characters, particularly the members of Maya's immediate family come off as interesting and you understand them. However, Allende introduces too many characters and outside of Maya's immediate circle, they don't make much of an impression even though some of them do have interesting back stories. It may be strange to say but this is an ambitious book even though on the surface it is a quiet one, however it is too ambitious for its own good. It would have been a better read if Allende did not feel the need to add so many elements to this novel.
mamalemma's review against another edition
5.0
One of the ways I know that an audio book is really good is whether I find myself looking for opportunities to listen to it outside my commute. I spent several non-commute hours listening to this book. I am a big Isabel Allende fan, and have read many of her books, but got a little burned out because they began to feel a little formulaic: strong, feisty heroine succeeds against all odds while being deeply in love with a powerful but flawed man. This is not true for Maya's Notebook. Maya's story is a powerful coming of age tale that is often difficult to read. Allende deftly switches between recent past and present, giving the reader a respite when it seems that Maya's story is hopeless. It's an excellent book, even though the ending seemed a little too neat, and the mystery easily solved.
jordya483's review against another edition
4.0
Este libro me hizo llorar mucho mientras viajaba; por suerte no había nadie sentado al lado. :P Me gustó mucho, es la primera vez que leo a Allende y definitivamente voy a seguirla. Maya tuvo muchísima suerte y cariño de su Popo. :)
hpstrangelove's review against another edition
2.0
Audiobook review. Narrator: Maria Cabezas
THERE NEEDS TO BE A GREAT BIG TRIGGER WARNING FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS WITH THIS BOOK.
I realize some people, including me, hate spoilers, but if you are a survivor of rape and it is a trigger for you, you definitely want to pass this book by.
With some proper editing, this could have been a very good book. It ended up being boring, hurt by an extremely slow start. It was much, much too long, and with nothing apparently happening, I came very close, after four hours, to having this be my first DNF. As this was a book group selection, I did not want to go to our meeting having given up on it.
The narrator did a great job, so it was with some disappointment that I switched the speed of my audiobook to 'fast' after listening for six hours so that I could get the story over with. It was 14 1/2 hours long and I just wanted it to end so I could get on to something else.
I think seven hours would have been a more appropriate length, cutting back on some of the more gruesome and unneeded details in the middle, and deleting much of the 'telling' parts at the beginning. The background mystery of Maya and why she was sent away was interesting. I did find myself caring for many of the characters, both in the States and on the island, but the story just seemed to go drone on and on and on, with no end in sight. Then suddenly, with about 90 minutes left of the story, things picked up and it got really good. I only wish it could have been as exciting in the beginning and middle as it was in the end.
THERE NEEDS TO BE A GREAT BIG TRIGGER WARNING FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS WITH THIS BOOK.
I realize some people, including me, hate spoilers, but if you are a survivor of rape and it is a trigger for you, you definitely want to pass this book by.
With some proper editing, this could have been a very good book. It ended up being boring, hurt by an extremely slow start. It was much, much too long, and with nothing apparently happening, I came very close, after four hours, to having this be my first DNF. As this was a book group selection, I did not want to go to our meeting having given up on it.
The narrator did a great job, so it was with some disappointment that I switched the speed of my audiobook to 'fast' after listening for six hours so that I could get the story over with. It was 14 1/2 hours long and I just wanted it to end so I could get on to something else.
I think seven hours would have been a more appropriate length, cutting back on some of the more gruesome and unneeded details in the middle, and deleting much of the 'telling' parts at the beginning. The background mystery of Maya and why she was sent away was interesting. I did find myself caring for many of the characters, both in the States and on the island, but the story just seemed to go drone on and on and on, with no end in sight. Then suddenly, with about 90 minutes left of the story, things picked up and it got really good. I only wish it could have been as exciting in the beginning and middle as it was in the end.
lachese's review against another edition
5.0
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.
Isabel Allende was originally recommended to me by a family member who had read several of her books in the past. I had never read anything by her, so when I received an ARC of Maya's Notebook, I was very ecstatic. I knew it wouldn't be just another novel about teenage angst and rebellion.
The first thing the author does is bring into question the reliability of the narrator, Maya. Maya herself states this: "It's complicated to write about my life, because I don't know how much I actually remember and how much is a product of my imagination; the bare truth can be tedious and so, without even noticing, I change or exaggerate it." As Maya's misadventures become increasingly preposterous, the reader is left to figure out whether or not these events actually occurred, or if Maya is a bored teenager stuck on a solitary island, writing fiction to pass the time.
For me, the first fifty pages seemed a bit slow and was when my questioning of Maya's reliability was most prominent. Eventually, probably after the hundred page mark, I found that I had forgotten my mistrust of Maya's narration and had immersed myself completely into her life. The darkness she faced, both in the world and within herself, resonated with me. In a way, the story could be considered an allegory of the hardships every person must face at some point in their lives. I'm sure many readers are no stranger to hopelessness. The feeling of despair rising within, the inability to escape a wretchedly difficult situation, the feeling of continually falling downhill, constantly wondering when you will hit bottom. Once the bottom is reached, you are faced with the insurmountable task of crawling back up, hands scrabbling at loose dirt, trying to get a single handhold because that one handhold would bring redemption one step closer. Then, out of the darkness, a hand grabs yours and pulls you out of the pit of despair. This hand is everything the book represents: family, friendship, and the hope such things bring.
Whether or not Maya's tale actually happened to her does not matter. It is the message she brings that is important. The message that with the love and kinship of family and friends, no situation lacks hope and together nothing is unattainable.
Although this would obviously be a prime stopping point for my review, I can't help but remark on a few additional side aspects of the novel. Firstly, I loved the cultural references that were incorporated into the novel, the most obvious being that of Chiloé. Through Maya's eyes we experienced the native lifestyle, from the living situations to how they handle scandal and despair. Even a little mythology was thrown into the mix. This could easily have detracted from the overall theme and feel of the novel, but instead enriched it, like sprinkles on a cupcake. Throughout the novel, we also experienced the culture of street life in Las Vegas and the culture of Berkeley, although greatly condensed. Each unique culture provided a suitable backdrop for the events Maya experienced in each individual locale.
The writing quality was (and yes, I'll use my favorite review word here) stellar. Every character felt real, as if I could pack a bag, fly down to Chiloé and actually meet Blanca, Manual, or any of the other unforgettable characters. With Maya, I grew attached to Freddy, Daniel, and even Fahkeen and rooted, mourned, and cheered for them. I felt despair with her, then hope, relief, and finally the love of friends and family. Only writing of the highest caliber has the ability to take a reader on such a journey. It is a journey well worth taking.
Isabel Allende was originally recommended to me by a family member who had read several of her books in the past. I had never read anything by her, so when I received an ARC of Maya's Notebook, I was very ecstatic. I knew it wouldn't be just another novel about teenage angst and rebellion.
The first thing the author does is bring into question the reliability of the narrator, Maya. Maya herself states this: "It's complicated to write about my life, because I don't know how much I actually remember and how much is a product of my imagination; the bare truth can be tedious and so, without even noticing, I change or exaggerate it." As Maya's misadventures become increasingly preposterous, the reader is left to figure out whether or not these events actually occurred, or if Maya is a bored teenager stuck on a solitary island, writing fiction to pass the time.
For me, the first fifty pages seemed a bit slow and was when my questioning of Maya's reliability was most prominent. Eventually, probably after the hundred page mark, I found that I had forgotten my mistrust of Maya's narration and had immersed myself completely into her life. The darkness she faced, both in the world and within herself, resonated with me. In a way, the story could be considered an allegory of the hardships every person must face at some point in their lives. I'm sure many readers are no stranger to hopelessness. The feeling of despair rising within, the inability to escape a wretchedly difficult situation, the feeling of continually falling downhill, constantly wondering when you will hit bottom. Once the bottom is reached, you are faced with the insurmountable task of crawling back up, hands scrabbling at loose dirt, trying to get a single handhold because that one handhold would bring redemption one step closer. Then, out of the darkness, a hand grabs yours and pulls you out of the pit of despair. This hand is everything the book represents: family, friendship, and the hope such things bring.
Whether or not Maya's tale actually happened to her does not matter. It is the message she brings that is important. The message that with the love and kinship of family and friends, no situation lacks hope and together nothing is unattainable.
Although this would obviously be a prime stopping point for my review, I can't help but remark on a few additional side aspects of the novel. Firstly, I loved the cultural references that were incorporated into the novel, the most obvious being that of Chiloé. Through Maya's eyes we experienced the native lifestyle, from the living situations to how they handle scandal and despair. Even a little mythology was thrown into the mix. This could easily have detracted from the overall theme and feel of the novel, but instead enriched it, like sprinkles on a cupcake. Throughout the novel, we also experienced the culture of street life in Las Vegas and the culture of Berkeley, although greatly condensed. Each unique culture provided a suitable backdrop for the events Maya experienced in each individual locale.
The writing quality was (and yes, I'll use my favorite review word here) stellar. Every character felt real, as if I could pack a bag, fly down to Chiloé and actually meet Blanca, Manual, or any of the other unforgettable characters. With Maya, I grew attached to Freddy, Daniel, and even Fahkeen and rooted, mourned, and cheered for them. I felt despair with her, then hope, relief, and finally the love of friends and family. Only writing of the highest caliber has the ability to take a reader on such a journey. It is a journey well worth taking.
mayaja's review against another edition
5.0
Gekregen van mams (in Nederlands), made me feel closer to mijn familie in Chili mega mooi en warm
hibanotized's review against another edition
5.0
This was a beautiful and amazing
the simple language Maya used was close to the heart
I loved her even though she was stupid sometimes
I loved her grandmother but mostly POPO ♥
the way she described them just made them more enchanting to me
Isabel Allende, what a writer!!
I'm planing to read all your books
by this year !!
5 stars for spending 10 days reading this and not wanting to say goodbye ..
the simple language Maya used was close to the heart
I loved her even though she was stupid sometimes
I loved her grandmother but mostly POPO ♥
the way she described them just made them more enchanting to me
Isabel Allende, what a writer!!
I'm planing to read all your books
by this year !!
5 stars for spending 10 days reading this and not wanting to say goodbye ..
paintergirl4ever's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the flow of this book...so effortless and beautifully written. However if you are shy of books that detail what the life of an addict can be then this book isn't for you. I see myself reading it again.