tico1021's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely much more engaging for me than the first book I read by her.
juliwi's review against another edition
3.0
I think The House of Spirits was the first book by Allende I read and it captured me straight away. Isabel Allende's books filled me with a sense of wonder and magic from the moment I was old enough to read them. There was something about her style that just worked for me. I also adored her YA-trilogy, Eagle and Jaguar. However, I lost track of Allende and her new releases, until, that is, I saw In the Midst of Winter and my interest was immediately piqued again. Thanks to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Allende's fiction has always addressed the issues in her home continent, and especially her home country of Chile. As she was related to Chilean president Salvador Allende, the CIA-backed coup against him and the turmoil it caused in her country also affected her personally. These experiences reflect differently in her various books and I was intrigued to see how it came to the forefront in In the Midst of Winter. At the heart of this novel are the issues of immigration, refugees and human rights, issues which are still incredibly timely and relevant. In the Midst of Winter focuses on these through the stories of its characters and this allows Allende to highlight the hardship and suffering refugees go through. Some of the chapters, especially in relation to Evelyn's story, are heartbreaking and not for the fainthearted. Some of Allende's descriptions are cruelly truthful and she doesn't let you look away, no matter how much you might like to. But despite the horror she describes, Allende also shows the kindness and bravery of people in the face of such horror. How people help each other, how they care for the old and sick, the young and needy, how love doesn't heal every wound but makes some of the scars easier to bare. That side of In the Midst of Winter is truly inspirational.
Most of Isabel Allende's books that I have read were of that most wonderful of genres, Magical Realism. In the Midst of Winter is not that, but rather falls along the lines of Historical Fiction. However, Allende manages to infuse many of its scenes with a similar magic and beauty. Her South-America is one of both wonder and fear, just as her people are both horrid and loving. She maintains that fine balance for most of the book, and it is a truly fine balance to strike. I'm about to talk about something which the blurb already mentions and I therefore feel I can discuss as well, but it is technically a spoiler so if you really don't want to know, perhaps skip the rest of this paragraph. A large part of In the Midst of Winter is dedicated to the "love story" between Richard and Lucia and I simply couldn't have cared less for it. Usually this is a criticism I direct at YA novels and I'm frustrated that it applies so well in this case as well. Allende has a fascinating story that allows her to dig into some really crucial topics and yet I have to care for this love story? Both of those characters are more interesting apart from each other, and actually Evelyn is more interesting than either of them. I felt like Allende's focus on this betrayed the novel's potential and also went against some of the characterisation she had put in place. It really didn't work for me and left me disappointed in the novel. It may be completely different for other readers, but it felt utterly unnecessary to me.
I loved certain aspects of In the Midst of Winter and it has shook parts of me to the core. Allende's novel holds some crucial lessons about the truth of the fate of refugees. However, I felt some of Allende's plot choices betrayed what the novel could have been. I would recommend it to those interested in South-America and refugees, as well as Historical Fiction.
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.com/2018/01/review-in-midst-if-winter-by-isabel.html
Allende's fiction has always addressed the issues in her home continent, and especially her home country of Chile. As she was related to Chilean president Salvador Allende, the CIA-backed coup against him and the turmoil it caused in her country also affected her personally. These experiences reflect differently in her various books and I was intrigued to see how it came to the forefront in In the Midst of Winter. At the heart of this novel are the issues of immigration, refugees and human rights, issues which are still incredibly timely and relevant. In the Midst of Winter focuses on these through the stories of its characters and this allows Allende to highlight the hardship and suffering refugees go through. Some of the chapters, especially in relation to Evelyn's story, are heartbreaking and not for the fainthearted. Some of Allende's descriptions are cruelly truthful and she doesn't let you look away, no matter how much you might like to. But despite the horror she describes, Allende also shows the kindness and bravery of people in the face of such horror. How people help each other, how they care for the old and sick, the young and needy, how love doesn't heal every wound but makes some of the scars easier to bare. That side of In the Midst of Winter is truly inspirational.
Most of Isabel Allende's books that I have read were of that most wonderful of genres, Magical Realism. In the Midst of Winter is not that, but rather falls along the lines of Historical Fiction. However, Allende manages to infuse many of its scenes with a similar magic and beauty. Her South-America is one of both wonder and fear, just as her people are both horrid and loving. She maintains that fine balance for most of the book, and it is a truly fine balance to strike. I'm about to talk about something which the blurb already mentions and I therefore feel I can discuss as well, but it is technically a spoiler so if you really don't want to know, perhaps skip the rest of this paragraph. A large part of In the Midst of Winter is dedicated to the "love story" between Richard and Lucia and I simply couldn't have cared less for it. Usually this is a criticism I direct at YA novels and I'm frustrated that it applies so well in this case as well. Allende has a fascinating story that allows her to dig into some really crucial topics and yet I have to care for this love story? Both of those characters are more interesting apart from each other, and actually Evelyn is more interesting than either of them. I felt like Allende's focus on this betrayed the novel's potential and also went against some of the characterisation she had put in place. It really didn't work for me and left me disappointed in the novel. It may be completely different for other readers, but it felt utterly unnecessary to me.
I loved certain aspects of In the Midst of Winter and it has shook parts of me to the core. Allende's novel holds some crucial lessons about the truth of the fate of refugees. However, I felt some of Allende's plot choices betrayed what the novel could have been. I would recommend it to those interested in South-America and refugees, as well as Historical Fiction.
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.com/2018/01/review-in-midst-if-winter-by-isabel.html
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? No
3.75
This book is essentially a deep character dive into three people whose lives come together one fateful wintry day in Brooklyn. I learned so much from this book, as I do every time I read Isabel Allende. It wasn't my favorite of hers - I didn't get why Lucia was so attracted to Richard and I think Allende spent waaay too much time in the beginning foreshadowing that relationship and saying a billion times how Lucia was convinced they were never going to end up together. But after that initial drag, I became invested in the characters, Evelyn especially, and found this a very worthwhile and thought-provoking read.
pau_cedeno's review against another edition
2.0
Isabel Allende siempre ha Sido de mis favoritas, pero sus últimos libros se han vuelto tan repetitivos y monotonos, cuenta una y otra vez la misma historia en todos. Por un momento me sentí tentada a dejar el libro antes de terminar, le sobra una cantidad enorme de información y páginas.
madalenaaferreira's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
ashleyfrog18's review against another edition
3.5
The story is ok. I really enjoulyed maybe the 1st half of the book a lot due to it being focused on the 3 main characters past. Their combined story kind of fell flat and the romance that was woven in is a bit one note/unexplained. Glad i read it, would not read again.
keekbeeek's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
I will always love Isabel Allende. This story, seemingly simple, was one of a kind, and in the typical Allende fashion, touched on various hot topics with the intricacy only she can create. I usually love the magical realism in her books, but this novel felt different as it hit harder with the realities of immigration and culture that many people face daily. Definitely recommend!
I will always love Isabel Allende. This story, seemingly simple, was one of a kind, and in the typical Allende fashion, touched on various hot topics with the intricacy only she can create. I usually love the magical realism in her books, but this novel felt different as it hit harder with the realities of immigration and culture that many people face daily. Definitely recommend!
hamilgrom's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first Allende novel. I have been wanting to read her for some time and I wonder if I made a mistake reading her newest novel first. The best parts of this book were the backstories of the three main characters. I was fascinated by each of their individual lives and truly enjoyed learning more about them. The part that did not work for me was when this book tried to be a murder mystery. The "whodunnit" aspect of this was very obvious from the beginning of that plot and, to me, was the weakest part of the book. I will definitely be coming back to read more Allende but it'll be for the richly developed Latino characters and not for a "Gone Girl"-esque reveal.
sandi_c's review against another edition
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? N/A
3.25
sdrouin824's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0