Quote by Isabel Allende
If an Internet user requests the search "Isabel Allende best books", the results will point to several of the best-selling titles of the last four decades. Despite her impressive best-selling figures, a good sector of literary criticism has looked down on the work of this Chilean-American writer. Even the harshest voices accuse her of being a mere copy of Gabriel García Márquez.
Although Allende herself has recognized the influence of the Colombian genius, some well-known writers — Roberto Bolaño, for example — call her a “simple writer”. In any case, opinions are subjective; the numbers, no. Well, her 72 million copies sold (translated into 42 languages) place her as the most widely read living Spanish-language author worldwide.
The life of Isabel Angélica Allende Llona, in a few words
A Chilean-American national, Isabel Allende was born in Lima, Peru, on August 2, 1942. Her father was the first cousin of Salvador Allende (president of Chile between 1970 and 1973, until he was overthrown by Pinochet). The future writer studied primary school at an American academy in La Paz, Bolivia. Then I study at a private English institute in Beirut, Lebanon.
From the late 50s until the establishment of the Pinochet dictatorship (1973), Allende lived in Chile with her first husband, Miguel Frías. With whom she was married for more than 20 years and had two children: Paula (1963 - 1992) and Nicolás (1963). Later she went into exile in Venezuela until 1988, the year in which she married Willie Gordon in the United States.
First jobs
Isabel Allende worked in important public organizations and media in Chile, Venezuela and Europe before his literary consecration. In the southern country he worked at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) between 1959-65.
Likewise, he worked in magazines Paula y mampato; also, on a couple of Chilean television channels. Later, she was editor of the newspaper The National and a teacher at a high school in Caracas. His first published books were aimed at children, Grandmother panchita y Lauchas, lauchones, rats and mice, both from 1974.
The House of the Spirits (1982)
First novel, first best sellers -It is the golden dream of any writer-, Isabel Allende achieved it with The House of the Spirits. Such editorial impact is, in large part, due to its compelling story loaded with elements of magical realism over four generations of a Chilean family. Hence the parallelism that some critics point to with respect to One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Therefore, in development there is room for themes related to love, death, political ideals and supernatural issues (ghosts, premonitions, telekinesis ...). At the same time, the book reflects some of the most important socio-political and religious transformations that took place in Chile throughout the XNUMXth century.
Some awards received for this novel
- Novel of the Year (Chile, 1983)
- Author of the Year (Germany, 1984)
- Book of the Year (Germany, 1984)
- Grand Prix d'Evasion (France, 1984)
Tales of Eva Luna (1989)
Plot and context
In the portals dedicated to literature they recommend reading the novel first Eva Luna (1987) before exploring this book of 23 stories signed by this fictional author. Many of these stories have had very successful dramatic, radio and television adaptations. Likewise, in several of them traits of magical realism are observed, such is the case of those mentioned below:
- "Two words"
- "Perverse girl"
- "Walimai"
- "Ester Lucero"
- "The judge's wife"
- "Mary the silly"
- "The teacher's guest"
- "Endless life"
- "A discreet miracle"
- "The imagined palace"
In the same way, Rolf Carlé - protagonist of Eva Luna- appears in the final story, Of clay we are made, whose development is inspired by the real case of Omayra Sánchez. On the other hand, the love and strength of women in the face of adversity and intrigue, represent the mobilizing thread of almost all stories. Similarly, revenge plots cannot be set aside.
List of stories that complete Tales of Eva Luna
- "Clarisa"
- "Boca De Sapo"
- "The gold of Tomás Vargas"
- "If you touched my heart"
- "Gift for a girlfriend"
- "Tosca"
- "The most forgotten of oblivion"
- "Little Heidelberg"
- "A way to the north"
- "With due respect"
- "A revenge"
- "Letters of love betrayed"
Paula (1994)
Context and argument
It is an autobiographical novel, motivated by the illness of Paula Frías Allende, daughter of Isabel Allende. The book begins as an epistolary speech (a letter from the author to her daughter) prepared after Paula fell into a coma and was admitted to a clinic in Madrid. In this passage, the mother recalls the life of her parents and grandparents.
Also, Allende alludes to some anecdotes of his childhood and adolescence, both personal and of other relatives. As the text progresses, the mother goes from despair to resignation ... Little by little he accepts that his daughter has really stopped being in that lying body.
Daughter of fortune (1999)
This book is a historical fiction novel that spans 10 years (1843 - 1853) and takes its characters from Valparaíso to California. It is a narrative with all the typical elements of the best sellers of Allende. That is, romance, family secrets, strong and determined women, epic scenarios, paranormal appearances and the compensation of its protagonists.
Synopsis
Part
It takes place in Chile (1843 - 1848). This section shows how Eliza —the main character of the play— was adopted by the Sommers family and brought up in an upper-class environment.. Similarly, the personalities of the Sommers brothers (Jeremy, John and Rose) are described. Among them, Miss Rose was the most affectionate and close to Eliza.
Another important character was Mama Fresia, a Mapuche aborigine who gave Eliza many culinary skills. Now, the one who really transformed the girl's universe was Joaquín Andieta, a handsome young man who worked for Jeremy Sommers. The boy conquered Eliza's heart and became her lover.
Second
It takes place between 1848 and 1849. It begins with the departure of Joaquín Andieta to California to try his luck in the middle of the gold rush. Soon after, Eliza found out she was pregnant and decided to go after him (as a stowaway) on a Dutch ship. On that ship Eliza became close friends with the cook, Tao Chi'en, who helped her keep her hidden and helped her after suffering a miscarriage.
Upon arriving in California, Tao set up an acupuncture practice and she soon began to search for her loved one. Meanwhile, in Chile, the Sommers were shocked by Eliza's disappearance. Especially after the Miss Rose reveal: Eliza was the fruit of the relationship between John and a Chilean woman (of unknown identity).
Third part
Eliza was a bit overwhelmed when she learned that the physical description of the outlaw Joaquín Murieta was quite similar to that of her lover. Later, Eliza came into contact with journalist Jacob Freemont. He was unable to help her, but he did alert the Sommers family about Eliza (they thought she had passed away).
Meanwhile, Eliza and Tao settled in San Francisco. In that city, he dedicated himself to helping Chinese prostitutes to rebuild their lives away from that occupation. With the passage of time, the bond between the two became romantic. In the end, Joaquín Murieta was captured and executed. Then, when Eliza was finally able to verify the identity of the wrongdoer, she felt completely liberated.
