Isabel Allende: Violeta, Bloomsbury UK, Trade Paperback, publication date: January 25, 2022

 

The last review of the year:  between Christmas and New Year’s Eve I finished Isabelle Allende’s upcoming  novel “Violeta”, a perfect read for the “in between days” as I call them.  I am always amazed at the sheer limitless fantasy Allende seems to possess ever since her world famous “House of Spirits”. I have been a fan of her unique storytelling talent whether her narrations are set in South-,North America or Europe, they all have fairy tale, magical, epic qualities.   

“Violeta”, her latest book coming out January 25^nd (thank you Bloomsbury for the early galley) is firmly moored in that tradition. Violeta Del Valle, the heroine of the book, reaching the end of her tumultuous, rich life shares her memories in a letter to a male,  Camillo, you find out later who he is.

Born into a wealthy, entrepreneurial family in the 1920ties with a typical patriarch of a father, the family fortune is lost during the Great Depression due to her father's reckless risk taking.  After his sudden death, the family is forced out of their mansion and Violeta and her mother find themselves in a remote rural part of the country.  Her oldest brother becomes the fixed star in her life providing the support for her astonishing talents who are the source for her  financial independence giving her the freedom to love whom she pleases  during a time when this was extraordinary.   Allende never names the country but in my view it is modeled on Chile, her home country, as are actual historical events in South America she weaves into the narration.

The book provides perfect escapism;  a great story  full of colorful characters,  drama, passion, heartbreak, love and historical events.