Thank you for the nice book and fast shipping. When I started to read, I noticed that the text was printed very small. So, I went online to maybe buy the hard bound copy. Then, I discovered that there was a DVD version so I bought that also. People are very positive about the book so I may get around to reading it too!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This book is a summer reading recommendation for my high school freshman child. Being a responsible parent, I decided to read it first. I had never heard of Isabel Allende or any of her writings. I am extremely glad I used my instinct with this one. This is most definitely not a book I will let my teenager read. Unlike my fellow reviewers, I found this novel full of unnecessary violence especially violence against women. In fact, if I didn't know the writer was a woman, I would say this was written by a socially inept male. From the beginning of the story, the lead male character has issues with keeping his pants zipped. He goes throughout the countryside and rapes every female age 13 and up. He fathers illegitimate children by the score and refuses to acknowledge or support any of them. He refers to women as "mares to be ridden" and prostitutes (he calls them whores) as necessary when he is living alone. As if sex is a requirement in order to continue living. He beats his wife, he cuts off his future son-in-law's fingers, and supports a whore house madam in a new business venture. Through the whole book, one main character out of approximately 10, is a virgin when she marries. Another woman, feeling homosexual tendencies, sneaks into her sister-in-law's bed. If this is typical behavior of Chilean people, count me out as a visitor. The magical and mystical part of this book doesn't disturb me near as much as the violent nature of the writing. Did I like anything about the book? I rather enjoyed the parts with the magical aspects. Do I think it's a real phenomenon? I'm not sure yet. But, I don't want to read violence of this magnitude. The social interaction and the political aspect with the conflict between communist, socialist and elitist thinking is exceptional. If only the story could have been told with more compassion toward the female gender. I watch the news. I already know these kinds of things are real. Do I have to read violence, too?Read full review
This writer is on of my favorites . This is a old novel but like always satisfying.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This novel follows three generations of an aristocratic family in Chile (the Trueba family)and effortlessly involves the reader in the history of this country prior to the election of President Allende in 1970 and the subsequent military take-over of Pinochet's fascist government (which was supported initially by the U.S.) But this is no dry history book! The characters are vibrantly drawn, and the passionate, fast-paced plot makes this a real page turner. But I couldn't believe how interested I became in the history Chile because of this story. I kept researching Chile's history after I read the book. Some Americans may find the "magical realism" of the book different or confusing at first (for instance, one character is described sort of like a mermaid with green hair and yellow eyes), but this sort of symbolism is common in much Latin American literature, and I find it adds to the ambiance of the story. I think this book might have been the great American novel, if it had been written in English and if it had been about the United States. I read it for a book club, and I am so glad I did!Read full review
If you're looking for a book that exemplifies all the qualities of Magical Realism, The House of the Spirits, is it. The 2 generations of women at the heart of this novel, exist in a world where spirits seem real and real characters seem otherworldly. Allende takes her family from life in the country to the end, in the world of city life; and the the story unfolds in a beautiful almost poetic rapid pace. Here strong fascinating characters interaction seems almost preordained. Wow! What a book! Strongly recommended!
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