Reviews

A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende

mary_binzley's review against another edition

reflective slow-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

3.0

eclecticreadswithash's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book begins with a family in Spain during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, and follows them on their journey into exile in Chile. Beyond that it continues to tell their family's story well into the 1990s. 

I'll start with the positives. The writing in this book is lovely. Full of emotion, carefully researched. The reader feels like they're with the family every step of the way. I was really invested in the beginning because I found the history around the Spanish Civil War really interesting - I know very little about it. 

Unfortunately, I wish it had been a deeper dive into that era. Beyond the war, and especially once arriving in Chile, it lost a lot of the historical aspect and became a very relationship based tale and it lost me quite a bit. Which was a real shame! 

ryanteston's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• 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? No

4.5

acmarinho3's review against another edition

3.0

Gosto muito da forma como Allende conta histórias. No entanto, sinto que me conecto mais com os pormenores históricos do que com a parte romanceada. Neste livro, a situação repete-se: fiquei um pouco cansada do vaivém entre Roser e Víctor. A parte relacionada com a guerra civil espanhola e a segunda guerra mundial, bem como com o êxodo e a parte emocional relacionada é incrível. O episódio em que embarcam no Winnipeg rumo ao Chile é fenomenal. Infelizmente, no geral não fiquei totalmente conquistada.

jujudepamplemousse's review against another edition

3.0

I was immediately hooked by the story told by Isabel Allende. The first part was so enthralling. We met several characters from very different backgrounds and we could only wonder how their destiny will cross. I found particularly interesting the contrast between the Dalmau's family caught in the horror of the Spanish Civil war and the del Solar's family living in a privilege bubble and luxuriously cruising around England and France. Sadly, my appreciation decreased as I read on.

With the second part entered a character for whom I couldn't care at all. This character took a huge part in the story but, for me, didn't brought very much to it except some more dramas.

The third and last part brought again a different vibe to the story. At some point, the story transformed more into a history lesson than work of fiction. I didn't like the construction of this part. The historical facts were not smoothly blended into the story and some paragraphs were too much info-dumping.

I also found that the way the story was written made it boring. Each part of the plot was introduced or hinted before happening in the story thus taking out any surprise element.

After reading the first part I was pretty sure [b:A Long Petal of the Sea|46042377|A Long Petal of the Sea|Isabel Allende|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565211383l/46042377._SY75_.jpg|69307454] would be one of my favorite book of the year but unfortunately the story told by Isabel Allende lacked consistency for me. Still, I've learned a great deal about 20th century Spain and Chile histories.

lottie1803's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative 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? No

4.0

careycarpenter's review against another edition

2.0

Many people like her books and her writing. I am not one of those people. The story is slow and I just find myself dragging my feet to continue reading so I can just get finished with the book and start the next one. Roser gets pregnant and the father dies in the war so she marries her brother in law to help take care of the baby. I thought I’d like the historical perspective but it’s a lot of Chilean politics from the 1950’s. It’s not terrible, it’s just not for me.

juliakobielska's review against another edition

5.0

Just extraordinary. So moving and piercing, it's hard to gather the thoughts after finishing it. The quotes from Pablo Neruda are such an impactful addition to Allende's beautiful style of storytelling. However, the power of "A Long Petal of the Sea" lies in its history, the history of Catalans and their unwavering fight for freedom.
The story of Victor (both the imagined one and Victor Pey Casado) and Roser can shine a light of hope for all those who still, in this day, have to escape, wander and search. It truly puts our lives, so easy compared to many others, in perspective. The answer to the question of "where do I belong" may prove to be a tad bit easier to find after reading this book.

ilman002's review against another edition

5.0

This book exceeded my expectations. The story was phenomenal and the writing was excellent. A Long Petal of the Sea was my first book by Isabel Allende, but it won't be last. 5 stars.

thetiniestghost's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0