mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review. I have read other Isabe Allende books and like this one find I am unable to give them more than a 3 star rating. In comparison to others this is mercifully short and avoids most of her hyperbole but it fails to give me the lyricism and beautify narrative that others see.
Based on true events ( I wondered if the Allende in the narrative was a relative of hers) I found her storytelling stilted in the telling of events although when recounting the more personal lives of her character she had a more pacy, interesting style. I think in comparison to others of her books I will retain this storyline in my memory better as she does make the main characters come alive in their stories.
I know many view Allende as a mistress of storytelling but having tried several of her books she just doesn't do it for me and I think I have now reached the limit. I am not sure i will try any more
Based on true events ( I wondered if the Allende in the narrative was a relative of hers) I found her storytelling stilted in the telling of events although when recounting the more personal lives of her character she had a more pacy, interesting style. I think in comparison to others of her books I will retain this storyline in my memory better as she does make the main characters come alive in their stories.
I know many view Allende as a mistress of storytelling but having tried several of her books she just doesn't do it for me and I think I have now reached the limit. I am not sure i will try any more
leahkrason's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Sad but true, I had to force myself through this book. The settings were interesting, and I'm glad to have learned more about Spain and South America, but I could have read Brittanica articles (for free) that gave me the exact same information in the exact same tone. The characters, while their lives were interesting and I should have cared about them, absolutely didn't do it for me. No one had any personality, and the writing was so bland and basic that I had zero interest. Sooooo bland. And maybe that would have been alright had the story been more gripping, but once they make it out of Spain, things basically just work out immediately! And the trials they did endure were written about so poorly that I didn't feel anything for them. I will say I liked Ofelia's story, it was possibly the only point in the book I felt an emotional weight, and the only time Allende didn't explain absolutely everything that happened. Usually when a novel spans decades like this, I grow to really care for the characters and I can feel the weight of the lives. Here, the narration would comment that a child is 30 all of a sudden and I would be shocked-- the story didn't evolve enough to make it clear when time passed, and none of the characters were developed in a way that made me feel close to them and aware of their growth. Possibly my least favorite part of the novel was the inclusion of very famous and influential people as characters who just happen to be friends with the male lead. It felt awkward and cringey, and because the characters all lacked heart, like a disservice to those people. It constantly took me out of the story, and it was incredibly unbelievable. And even with the literal Chilean president as a character, the historical sections were still incredibly divorced from the narrative and read like an article! I'm sorry I'm digging in so much but it's how I feel. Plus, none of the characters had anything to SAY about the political situation!!! Probably because they should have been leftists. It should have been explored........... this book managed to make a pro-revolution family's story feel apolitical. I don't know I think I need to give this one star, it's taken a lot for me to realize because what I feel towards it is burning apathy. It is once and a life time that I have this little investment in the stories I read.
Spoiler
And then the end ruined her! Why make her unlikable and uncaring about her child (who's return detracted from the the earlier story) that she cared so much about? It made no sense to me.mailys18's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jcharlton's review against another edition
4.0
Allende is such a great storyteller! This was enjoyable. I also learned a lot of history.
jkayen17's review against another edition
4.0
The many different journeys of life can take you everywhere
noraquigs's review against another edition
4.0
asheville/black mountain read! love isabelle allende’s writing although i feel i may be partial to her early works. it’s best to know going into this book that on the spectrum of historical fiction it leans heavily towards history. it honestly is more engaging history textbook than novel. but if you understand that going in it can be a dynamic and educational read!
jennms_qkw's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first Isabel Allende book I've read, and I thank #ReadingWomen2020 for the challenge. It was a grand adventure from Madrid and Barcelona to Chile. Some sadness, some happiness. There were big themes and small themes set back again the history. I'm still trying to figure them out.
skderinger's review against another edition
3.0
I have enjoyed Isabel Allende’s books in the past but this was was so slow. It felt like lists and descriptions of historical data with little to no character development. I had no attachment to the characters and the story just dragged and dragged. I kept hoping it would pick up because her books tend to be great but this one never did. I would have given it 2 stars except for the fact that it was thoroughly researched and the historical aspects were interesting when they weren’t bogged down in too much detail.
skderinger's review against another edition
I have enjoyed Isabel Allende’s books in the past but this was was so slow. It felt like lists and descriptions of historical data with little to no character development. I had no attachment to the characters and the story just dragged and dragged. I kept hoping it would pick up because her books tend to be great but this one never did. I would have given it 2 stars except for the fact that it was thoroughly researched and the historical aspects were interesting when they weren’t bogged down in too much detail.
jana114's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0