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ndpangares's review against another edition
4.0
Violeta lives 100 years, from the Spanish flu pandemic thru the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020. She tells her beloved grandson all about her life, sins and joys, from Chile to her travels, her loves and mistakes and triumphs.
I learned a lot in this historical novel, since South American history isn’t a strength of mine. Kept having to Google historical events to learn more, which I like. And the last line of Violeta’s life and story is luminous: “The sky is beautiful…. “. What a lovely thing to be able to say as one’s story is complete.
I learned a lot in this historical novel, since South American history isn’t a strength of mine. Kept having to Google historical events to learn more, which I like. And the last line of Violeta’s life and story is luminous: “The sky is beautiful…. “. What a lovely thing to be able to say as one’s story is complete.
kriseggert's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. I felt like I was reading a report about people and places that might have made an interesting book.
simtor's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.25
Torito 🥺
needcoffeenow's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointed in this one that had so much potential. Touted as an epic story following the life of Violeta, who is born during the Spanish Flu and dies 100 years later during the Coronavirus pandemic. During her life, Violeta is obviously witness to several key moments in world history. My problem with the book is that it lacks any real depth and instead skims across the surface of all these events - which diminishes the importance, in my opinion. When I started writing this review I was planning on giving the book 3 stars, but the more I consider its flaws, adjusting it to 2 stars. A solid "meh".
patward's review against another edition
3.0
I found the story line similar to that of A Long Petal of the Sea, which I loved. I thought there wasn't much character development in this book.
jhovanabasto's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
cristymg93's review against another edition
4.0
Es interesante la evolución de la protagonista a lo largo de la novela. Los personajes están muy bien construidos y se hace bastante amena la lectura. Me pareció curioso que no nombrara el país en el que se desarrollan los acontecimientos aunque se puede adivinar por el contexto histórico.
jalso's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readingwhilemommying's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a big fan of Allende’s writing and was immediately drawn to the gorgeous cover of her new novel. Told in letter format from South American centenarian Violeta del Valle to “her best friend" Camilo, this novel recounts Violeta’s 100 years of life between two pandemics, the Spanish flu and coronavirus. Violeta shares about her childhood of wealth that was shattered due to the Great Depression and the suicide of her father. As the years go by, we hear about her love affairs, her business adventures, her friends and family, including her daughter’s addiction to drugs--all told through the lens of various political and historical events of the 20th-century. Violeta’s tales of her very full life are engrossing and keep the novel moving.
Yet, due to the letter format, we rarely “see” Violeta’s emotions, but are instead “told” about what happens and how she feels about it, lessening their impact on the reader and our emotional investment in the main character. Big events come and go at a rapid pace, with most being told (at times like a historical text) instead of felt. Still, I loved the character of Violeta. A complex, passionate, strong-willed woman who had quite the life…I just wish I knew a bit more about the soul and spirit underneath the experiences.
If you like strong and fascinating female protagonists and stories that weave in history throughout the fictional narrative, this is the novel for you!
Yet, due to the letter format, we rarely “see” Violeta’s emotions, but are instead “told” about what happens and how she feels about it, lessening their impact on the reader and our emotional investment in the main character. Big events come and go at a rapid pace, with most being told (at times like a historical text) instead of felt. Still, I loved the character of Violeta. A complex, passionate, strong-willed woman who had quite the life…I just wish I knew a bit more about the soul and spirit underneath the experiences.
If you like strong and fascinating female protagonists and stories that weave in history throughout the fictional narrative, this is the novel for you!