Isabel Allende, Chronicler of the Indies

books:


	• Ines of My Soul: A Novel Isabel Allende Harper Perennial, 2007 - 352 pages average customer review:based on 46 reviews view larger image
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Isabel Allende, Chronicler of the Indies

I've enjoyed all of Isabel Allende's books but this is certainly one of her best. After I finished reading it I wanted to go back and begin reading again! In this sweeping historical novel Allende establishes herself as a 21st century chronicler of the conquest of Chile. In the process she restores Inés Suárez to an appropriate level of importance and gives voice to the Mapuche Indians. (They tell part of the story and their words are part of the narrative.) This is not a black and white version of the conquest; it is nuanced with multiple perspectives. We hear from Inés (a European woman), Pedro de Valdivia (Spanish conquerer), Catalina (a quechua-speaking servant), Cecilia (an Incan princess), Felipe/Lautaro (Mapuche hero) and many more. Allende's gifts as a novelist and storyteller make this an appealing and unforgettable book. I can still picture the vivid descriptions of Chile and hear the clamor and war cries of battle. Throughout the saga the sentiments of believable characters breathe life into a sequence of historical events. In this compelling work Allende has created the lasting monument to Inés Suárez.

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Inez of my soul

Being an engineer I seldom read other than technical publications. However I saw my sister (who is now an MD) reading this book while on vacation, scuba diving in Mexico. I was intrigued in what kind of book she would be interested in. So she let me read the first chapter (which was the Italian version) between dives. I found myself fully immersed in Inez's life and could not let go. I kept urging my sister to finish the book so I could get back to it. The book has some serious violence in it, but is also romantic and passionate. I think the author is great and I have recommended the book to my wife who was amused how the two of us were fighing over it. I have never recommended a non technical book to anyone before. However being of european upbringing, I chuckle at the fact that in europe, the book's cover shows Inez's breasts, while in the US version they are covered. In America we can handle the violence but not the sex; in the US sex goes digital: it is either nothing or swings to pornography. Go figure why. Anyhow I love Isabel Allende's work and I am reading the book dedicated to her daughter Paula. I am glad Isabel came to America and taught at various US universities. We need more authors like her. I wish I had her as a literature teacher.

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Hot Chile!

Another good story by Allende, but with lots of interesting historical background. It suggests that the Spanish were courageous and visionary, but also cruel and determined to stir lasting enmity among the Indians. Ines, the heroine, was more enlightened that her male contemporaries and was a courageous, heartwarming character.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, page 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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