Reviews

Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende

mka0204's review against another edition

4.0

I'd give it 4.5 stars, if I could. Just as good as Daughter of Fortune, if not better.

melissa_canela's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

_sarah_reads_'s review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed it, but it doesn't have the power of Allende's earlier work. Many of the characters seem unfinished or incomplete. The story is engaging. I admit that I breezed through it in 2 days, which means that either a) I could have savored it a bit more and enjoyed it differently, OR b) that the book is simple and didn't merit a deeper reading.

floriflor1's review against another edition

emotional 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? No

4.5

cmgmaine's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

georgeryang's review against another edition

hopeful 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

5.0

vickksx's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

cristinamv00's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.0

laurenleyendolibros's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring 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

3.0

ando246's review against another edition

4.0

I couldn't get hooked at the beginning due to the lack of background for most of the characters, but once Lynn Sommers came into the story and the author developed Matías' and Severo's story with her, it was a really entertaining book. I loved the fact that Aurora tells her own story and how well it is rounded up at the end, when she talks about her grandfather. It could have been developed yet further, but I liked it overall.

Another thing that caught my attention was the wonderful descriptive nature of Isabel Allende. With this book, as well as most of her other works, she makes the reader live inside old mansions and travel with the characters around the world by conveying their emotions and thoughts on the way. I think this has also been inspired by the constant nomad nature of Isabel Allende's life. Among Aurora's thoughts and adventures, the one with his photography teacher and with the Chilean doctor were my favorite; the way she would look at them admiring them and trying to stay unnoticed. The description of her introverted and timid personality while trying to figure out her family and her life is extraordinary.