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torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Body horror, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Child death, Abortion, and Alcohol
abicaro17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Author: Isabel Allende
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: May 21, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Powerful • Beautiful • Profound
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In the late 1930s, civil war grips Spain. When General Franco and his Fascists succeed in overthrowing the government, hundreds of thousands are forced to flee in a treacherous journey over the mountains to the French border. Among them is Roser, a pregnant young widow, who finds her life intertwined with that of Victor Dalmau, an army doctor and the brother of her deceased love. In order to survive, the two must unite in a marriage neither of them desires.
Together with two thousand other refugees, Roser and Victor embark for Chile on the SS Winnipeg, a ship chartered by the poet Pablo Neruda: "the long petal of sea and wine and snow." As unlikely partners, the couple embraces exile as the rest of Europe erupts in world war. Starting over on a new continent, they face trial after trial, but they will also find joy as they patiently await the day when they might go home. Through it all, their hope of returning to Spain keeps them going. Destined to witness the battle between freedom and repression as it plays out across the world, Roser and Victor will find that home might have been closer than they thought all along.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Isabel Allende is an author whose books I've heard wonderful things about, yet have still never read. It made complete sense to include her on my 'Author Taste Test' challenge for 2023, especially since A Long Petal of the Sea already sat unread on my shelf. Allende embarks on the ambitious task of telling such a grand tale, and yet she does so with historical accuracy and poignant prose.
Spanning decades, continents, and the lives of many characters, this novel took me through the history of both Spain and Chile in the 20th century. With beautiful writing and impeccably crafted, Allende has weaved together love, war, family, and the search for belonging. I love historical fiction for many reasons, but mostly for gaining knowledge about past events I may know little about. This one definitely broaden my understanding and has encouraged me to seek out more diverse historical fiction, beyond WWI and WWII.
While there are many characters in this book, it is really Victor and Roser's story. Forced into an unconventional union they face many challenges yet remain hopeful. Their characters are so beautifully developed, where the reader is privy to their story layer upon layer and I was along for the heartbreaking ride.
This may have been my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. I look forward to exploring her backlist, as well as seeing what future projects she writes. And again I must take a moment to acknowledge the stunning cover. The colours, the gold detailing, even the font - all of it is just gorgeous.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• historical fiction lovers
• readers looking for diverse historical fiction
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Pain is unavoidable, but suffering is optional."
"Our land only rewards those who work hard in it."
"Poetry is what stays in your head and isn’t forgotten."
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual content, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Terminal illness
parsnipsnap's review against another edition
Couldn't handle the "most boring writing of the 2020s" AND the misogyny (aka : the mom of the mc was 14 when she married the dad who was 27 with no comments from the narration ; saying women who wanted to fight for democracy got the action they were looking for when they got raped and slaughtered ; the young ("last") virgin, trembling with shyness and desire)
Minor: Misogyny and Rape
solacelight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Gore, Infidelity, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Minor: Incest, Misogyny, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Colonisation
macayhill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Miscarriage and War
Minor: Misogyny
the_clueless_tourist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, Torture, and Xenophobia