Violeta comes into the world on a stormy day in 1920, the first girl in a family with five boisterous sons. From the start, her life is marked by extraordinary events, for the ripples of the Great War are still being felt, even as the Spanish flu arrives on the shores of her South American homeland almost at the moment of her birth.
Through her father’s prescience, the family will come through that crisis unscathed, only to face a new one as the Great Depression transforms the genteel city life she has known. Her family loses everything and is forced to retreat to a wild and beautiful but remote part of the country. There, she will come of age, and her first suitor will come calling.
She tells her story in the form of a letter to someone she loves above all others, recounting times of devastating heartbreak and passionate affairs, poverty and wealth, terrible loss and immense joy. Her life is shaped by some of the most important events of history: the fight for women’s rights, the rise and fall of tyrants, and ultimately not one, but two pandemics.
Through the eyes of a woman whose unforgettable passion, determination, and sense of humor carry her through a lifetime of upheaval, Isabel Allende once more brings us an epic that is both fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional.
Violeta del Valle knows it’s time to tell her story. She pens a lengthy letter to her grandson, Camilo, documenting and detailing her life, spanning a century, from 1920 to 2020. Violeta is her story, in her own words. I have often thought about writing my life story and what better way than to write it as you would write a loved one. It added such a personal touch, deepening the connection between reader and character.
One unique aspect about Violeta’s story is that she was born during a pandemic, the Spanish flu outbreak, and now she is dying during another pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic, which is remarkable, and oddly thought-provoking.
Violeta went through quite a bit in her century on this earth, but while I was reading I was so captivated by her narrative that it felt like mere moments. I was so absorbed that I seriously felt like this was a true account of a woman’s life, the writing felt that real. I even had to verify that it was in fact fiction and that I didn’t misread the synapsis, which is something I don’t think I’ve ever done before. Violeta’s story stuck with me long after I read her last words, my heart not wanting to let go.
There really wasn’t anything distinguishable about this story, but there is a magnetism that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. Violeta lives a life with experiences that are unique in some aspects, but others as old as time. Sex plays a major role in Violeta’s story, especially when she meets her second husband (a story I don’t think I will ever forget!), but the intimate details are not too descriptive, while still giving enough details, which is something I appreciated.
I was captivated by this vivacious woman, who lived life on her terms, even if it was frowned upon by others. Her tenacity was inspiring, being an empowered woman, and helping to empower other women. I loved the author’s writing style, the ebb and flow of the narrative was so natural, it felt like I was listening to a story from my own grandmother, and I felt my heart break a little when her story was over, wishing she would have lived longer, to tell another tale.
This is the first book that I’ve read by Isabell Allende, but I can guarantee it will not be my last. I fell in love with her writing style and storytelling talent, so unique, and powerful. I am grateful and thankful I had the opportunity to read this novel, and cannot recommend enough.
Connect with Isabel: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
No comments
Thank you for visiting! :)