As many of you know, one of my favorite writers is Isabel Allende. Her style is a combination of magical realism, strong female characters, and journeys of self-discovery. I remember the excitement I felt every time I bought the latest book. In the most recent ones I realized that Isabel Allende has put more thought in describing the environment where the stories take place. Also, the new ones compared to the previous ones have less political content – this is understandable as Isabel Allende had to leave her country after the coup of Salvador Allende, her uncle.
It was difficult to select only ten books. This list does not contain all of her books; only the ones I personally liked the most. The numbers are just for order and do not show necessarily my personal preference since most of her books have a stand-alone theme. All of them are practically impossible to put down.
This is the first book from Isabel Allende I read. The story begins with Esteban Trueba (love the last name; always makes me think of the patriarchs in the Mexican soap operas), a ruthless and acute landlord and politician who was only softened by some of the women in his life; and his wife, Clara, an ethereal woman who could communicate with spirits. This novel goes across three generations – Esteban and Clara’s daughter, Blanca, and their granddaughter, Alba.
This novel tells the story of journalist Irene Beltran and her companion and photographer Francisco Leal. The magazine they worked for sent them to investigate a girl who was said to have miraculous powers. During this investigation Francisco and Irene discovered a crime committed by the regime. This story is believed to have autobiographic elements.
Zarite, a slave born on the French side on the island of Santo Domingo, takes us through her own life as a servant, the independence of her country, and the immigration to Louisiana pursuing her freedom. As most of the female characters in Isabel Allende’s books, Zarite is a strong woman capable of taking matters into her own hands. The mythology behind what is today Haiti plus the description of the then-French Louisiana makes this novel unique among Isabel Allende’s collection.
Aurora Del Valle, the heroin in this novel, suffered a trauma that erased most of her first five year memories. Her grandmother, Paulina Del Valle, is pushed to explore the mysteries of her past. These two women will create an amazing story.
This is one of Isabel Allende’s historical novels. This book tells the story of Ines Suarez, mistress of Chile’s conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. The two of them were responsible for the creation of the city of Santiago in Chile. Ines is an incredible strong woman. She made it to the new world by herself during the time of the Spanish conquer – this act in and on itself greatly portrays Ines’ character and initiative. A bonus: a beautiful although extremely difficult passage through the Atacama desert.
This novel is the dream of every other adventurous and romantic young woman. Eliza Sommers, the heroin in this story, follows her lover to California during the gold rush. The book is the journey of Eliza in search of her lover and all the adventures to come. And a trilogy is complete…
This may be the only book from Isabel Allende that is not fiction. It is an intimate conversation with her daughter Paula while she lies on her dying bed – Paula suffered a strange disease that claimed her life when she was only 28 years old. I remember being touched to my core when I read this recollection of events, family members, and feelings.
This book tells the incredible story of Maya, a young woman with a turbulent past during her teens. Maya grew up with his grandmother, Nini, and step grandfather, Popo. The latter is one of the few male characters in Isabel Allende’s with a noble heart and loving attitude – a gentleman. The action takes place between California and other places in the U.S. and the South of Chile.
City of the Beasts tells the extraordinary adventure of Alexander Cold, a 15-year old boy who travels with his National Geographic journalist grandmother to the Amazon to find the legendary Beast and its home, El Dorado. I was amazed by the description of this area in South America… I could hear the insects, feel the trees, and smell all the aromas in the jungle.
Kingdom of the Golden Dragon is the second book in the Alexander Cold trilogy. This time Alexander and his grandmother, now with Alexander’s friend Nadia as well, go to a forbidden kingdom in the Himalayas to find the statue of the Golden Dragon. The description is as exquisite as in the first book. I could feel the vastness of the Himalayas, the coldness of the air, and the difficulties of climbing to such altitudes. I was completely transported to this magical kingdom.
