A review by oceanwriter
Violeta, by Isabel Allende
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Normally I really love deeply character-driven stories such as this. While there were parts I did enjoy, something didn't sit right for some reason.
Nearing the end of her life, Violeta recounts her story starting from her birth in a small Chilean town. We follow her and her family through pandemics, political changes, and other important shifts in history as the decades pass. With this also comes the natural milestones of life such as adolescence and starting a family. All of this is told in a letter to her grandson.
For something that appears to be so close to the author, there is a glaring lack of emotion and empathy. I didn't feel connected to Violeta at all, nor did I find myself particularly caring partway through the part of the book. Until then I was finding the narration reminiscent of The Dictionary of Lost Words. Overall, I found it just okay.
Nearing the end of her life, Violeta recounts her story starting from her birth in a small Chilean town. We follow her and her family through pandemics, political changes, and other important shifts in history as the decades pass. With this also comes the natural milestones of life such as adolescence and starting a family. All of this is told in a letter to her grandson.
For something that appears to be so close to the author, there is a glaring lack of emotion and empathy. I didn't feel connected to Violeta at all, nor did I find myself particularly caring partway through the part of the book. Until then I was finding the narration reminiscent of The Dictionary of Lost Words. Overall, I found it just okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, and War
Minor: Abortion