Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Violeta [English Edition]
Violeta [English Edition] | Isabel Allende
This sweeping novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea tells the epic story of Violeta Del Valle, a woman whose life spans one hundred years and bears witness to the greatest upheavals of the twentieth century. Violeta comes into the world on a stormy day in 1920, the first girl in a family with five boisterous sons. From the start, her life is marked by extraordinary events, for the ripples of the Great War are still being felt, even as the Spanish flu arrives on the shores of her South American homeland almost at the moment of her birth. Through her father's prescience, the family will come through that crisis unscathed, only to face a new one as the Great Depression transforms the genteel city life she has known. Her family loses everything and is forced to retreat to a wild and beautiful but remote part of the country. There, she will come of age, and her first suitor will come calling. She tells her story in the form of a letter to someone she loves above all others, recounting times of devastating heartbreak and passionate affairs, poverty and wealth, terrible loss and immense joy. Her life is shaped by some of the most important events of history: the fight for women's rights, the rise and fall of tyrants, and ultimately not one, but two pandemics. Through the eyes of a woman whose unforgettable passion, determination, and sense of humor carry her through a lifetime of upheaval, Isabel Allende once more brings us an epic that is both fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional.
LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
Catsandbooks
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

3/5 ⭐️ Lots of great Chilean history in a fictional life story. Though at times boring. Also it said there was magical realism but I didn't find any

#FoodandLit Chile 🇨🇱

Texreader Your review is spot-on. 4mo
Bookworm54 I hadn‘t know that there was meant to be magical realism… and certainly didn‘t see any 😂 4mo
48 likes2 comments
review
Bookworm54
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed this story, told by a woman to her grandson on her deathbed. While it doesn‘t have a huge amount of plot, it is an interesting look and her life, loves, and historical events in Chile and Argentina, as well as touching on Norway. While I can‘t say I felt particularly strongly for any of the characters, they were well fleshed out and it was a beautiful read.

#FoodAndLit #Chile

Texreader Very similar to my take on this one 5mo
Catsandbooks I'm currently reading this! 🇨🇱 5mo
47 likes2 comments
review
rebbyj
Violeta | Isabel Allende
Pickpick

Beautiful south American saga

review
Reading_E
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

Any book that can bring tears is powerful! Beautifully written!

review
giulia.mosna
Violeta Spanish Edition | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

4,5/5⭐
Come sempre Isabel Allende riesce a farmi amare e odiare profondamente, nessuno dei suoi personaggi mi lascia indifferente.
È stato particolarmente interessante leggere "Violeta" dopo "Paula", visto che mi ha fatto capire (quasi) tutti i collegamenti tra i personaggi fittizi e quelli reali.

blurb
Birdsong28
Violeta [English Edition] | Isabel Allende
post image

Fifteenth prompt completed for @melissajayne #readyourTBR challenge.
#2023challenge

review
Birdsong28
Violeta [English Edition] | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

Good. Set in South America this covers not just the tumultuous times the country went through but the tumultuous time the character has been through. Full of passion and heartache.

#Bloomsbury

44 likes3 stack adds
review
Renee27
Violeta | Isabel Allende
Mehso-so

I found this book to be a bit of a slow read but it is a journey of a woman through almost 100 years of life through different political and personal circumstances, how she finds her true mettle and never stops learning and experiencing new things at any stage of her life.

11 likes1 stack add
review
Texreader
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

Light on plot, this is Violeta‘s story, starting with her birth at the height of the Spanish influenza and her lengthy life through the turn of the century. She became wealthy by her own hard work but suffered great tragedy. Boring in places so it was good as an audiobook allowing me to get chores done. Loads and loads of historical detail about #Chile in its violent throes of a dictatorship and in #Argentina. #readingtheAmericas 4 ⭐️

Librarybelle Awesome! And good to know about the tidbit regarding the accuracy of info on the Norwegians from your previous post…it shows her attention to detail! 11mo
64 likes1 comment
blurb
Texreader
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

There are some 100% accurate descriptions of Norwegians, and how they “vacation” in their cabins in the hinterlands of Norway. It‘s crazy to me how accurate her descriptions are. I‘ll be married to my own Norwegian for 35 years this September, and I‘ve been back to visit his family many times. It makes me wonder if Allende has known a Norwegian quite so well as well.

#Chile #readingtheAmericas @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

blurb
Texreader
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
BarbaraBB Very curious about this one. I used to love her but haven‘t read her books since the 90s 🤦🏻‍♀️ 12mo
51 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
Jas16
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Mehso-so

This book cover a lot of events but, to me, read more like a laundry list. “This happened and then this happened which led to this happening.” I felt detached from it all and never grew to care about Violeta or the cast of characters in her life story. I liked it but it didn‘t have the spark that makes me love a story. #unpopularopinion #booked2023 #titlestartswithv

blurb
Blaire
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

New book. New mug. Haven‘t started this one yet, but really liked “Long Petal of the Sea.”

Cathythoughts Looks good 💕 1y
57 likes1 comment
review
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

This took me longer than I would have thought to finish, but I appreciate that I didn‘t have to let go of the story so quickly. This was a very captivating read, and it is truly remarkable how Isabel Allende was able to narrate a life in a letter, and depict complicated things such as motherly love with simple analogies.

Thank you, once again, @Reyzl for this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Would recommend to all the feminists out there.

megnews Beautiful cover. 1y
Reyzl I‘m so happy that you liked it🥰 I add it to my To Read List after your review☺️ 1y
11 likes2 stack adds2 comments
quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende
This post contains spoilers
show me

The world is paralyzed, and humanity is in quarantine. It is a strange symmetry that I was born in one pandemic and will die during another.

quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende

That fairy tale that all humans are equal before the law and in the eyes of God is a lie, Camilo. I hope you don‘t buy into it. Neither the law nor God treats everyone the same.

quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende

Teresa said that until men gave birth and put up with husbands, as women do, they should not have an opinion - let alone decide on - abortion and divorce. She didn't believe that men had the right to an opinion, much less to pass laws on the female body, since they'd never know the exhaustion of gestation, the pain of labor, and the eternal bondage of motherhood.

quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende

Affection must be cultivated, Camilo; it has to be watered and tended to like a plant, but we‘d let ours dry up.

quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende

I hate children. The only good about kids is that they grow fast.

quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende

Teaching is learning.

quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende

It‘s much easier to be generous with a full belly than an empty one.

quote
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende

The future belonged to the bold.

blurb
Sharv_Sona
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

This is the story about a girl who‘s life has been marked by extraordinary events. It tells her story through the form of a letter written by her to someone she holds dear.

Finally, I will be able to start reading this book (or epic, I‘m not sure) which was gifted by @Reyzl. I am very excited to read this, and I‘m sure it will be great!

Once again, thank you @Reyzl! ❤️

Reyzl It was my pleasure, @Sharv_Sona 🤗 and I really hope that you will enjoy it and then recommend it to me😊 1y
9 likes1 comment
review
Yoricke_SouthAfrica
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

Another very enjoyable read by Isabel Allende. Written in the form of a letter from Violeta over many years of her life.

quote
lis_s
Violeta Spanish Edition | Isabel Allende
post image

“El viaje de la vida se hace de largos trechos tediosos, paso a paso, día a día, sin que suceda nada impactante, pero la memoria se hace con los acontecimientos inesperados que marcan el trayecto. Estos son los que vale la pena narrar.”

blurb
Yoricke_SouthAfrica
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

I've read great reviews about this book, very excited to get it started. It will be my second book by the same author.

review
Eva_B
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

Another great book by one of my favourite authors. It is written as a letter by Violeta at the end of her life. She recounts her life and the historical events that she has witnessed. It covers her loves and family tragedies along side the political upheavals during her lifetime. I couldn‘t put it down.

quote
lis_s
Violeta Spanish Edition | Isabel Allende
post image

“La realidad es que cada uno es responsable de su propia vida. Nacemos con ciertas cartas del naipe, y con ellas jugamos nuestro juego; a algunos les tocan malas cartas y lo pierden todo, pero otros juegan magistralmente con esas mismas cartas y triunfan.”

1 like1 stack add
review
Cinfhen
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

#CoverCrush 🧡💜 Glad I picked this audio back up after hibernating it for a few days.
One woman‘s life from 1920-2020 spanning both her personal story and world events.
I never fully warmed to Violeta but I think it was due to the reader‘s monotone detached delivery.
Most reviews are 5 star so I‘d definitely give this a go if you‘re slightly interested.

Librarybelle Nice! I didn‘t realize it had an African connection! 2y
Megabooks Sounds interesting! 2y
Cinfhen It was an added bonus @Librarybelle towards the very end of the story ♥️ it‘s a good #BorrowNotBuy @megabooks 2y
79 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
megnews
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

This can be a little slow going at times but perhaps that‘s the nature of a centenarian reflecting on her life. I loved Violeta and the cast of characters in the world Allende built. I thought this was beautiful.

54 likes1 stack add
blurb
Cinfhen
Violeta [English Edition] | Isabel Allende
post image

Library audio hold just came in 😁

TrishB Enjoy 👍🏻 2y
Garabrandtreviews Haven't read this one, but I love Allende 2y
emmaturi I really enjoyed this family drama over a century 2y
Cinfhen Thanks @TrishB ♥️so far im enjoying- it‘s an easy listen 🎧 @Garabrandtreviews @emmaturi 2y
83 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
LatrelWhite
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Violeta comes into the world on a stormy day in 1920, the first girl in a family with five boisterous sons. From the start, her life is marked by extraordinary events, for the ripples of the Great War are still being felt, even as the Spanish flu arrives on the shores of her South American homeland almost at the moment of her birth.

12 likes1 stack add
review
ICantImReading
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

100 years of life are bound to be full of passion, sin, adventure, pain, regret, and love. Violeta is a strong and smart Latin American woman who lives through social and political change, leaving her own mark on the world, and on readers. She shares her life story through letters to her grandson, which would be such an incredible and cherished gift to remember and honor the life of a loved one in all its complexity. #authenticbooks

review
Twocougs
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

I always adore Isabel Allende‘s books and this one was no different. It takes place of over 100 years in an unnamed South American country. A strong woman and her life‘s up and downs.

25 likes1 stack add
review
emmaturi
Violeta [English Edition] | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

I finished this wonderful historical family saga set in Chile, although it never mentions the name of the country. I was enthralled and gripped throughout the whole book. Set from 1920 to 2020, it starts with the Spanish flu and ends with Covid. Fantastic book.

32 likes3 stack adds
blurb
MartinaLove
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

Currently reading. 📖🦋🐝

review
Ericalambbrown
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

Another gorgeous novel by Allende - I love her slow-burn storytelling. This time it takes the shape of a memoir/letter written to the narrator‘s grandson, Camilo. She recounts her life in an unnamed South American country, surviving economic collapse and political upheaval, sexist expectations and societal disapproval, and all the joy and heartache and regret and passion that comes with 100 years on this earth. I wasn‘t read to let Violeta go!

68 likes2 stack adds
blurb
perfectlywinged
Violeta [English Edition] | Isabel Allende
post image

Loving this slow paced character focused historical fiction that focuses on the life of one woman.

review
ElleMNOpe
Violeta [English Edition] | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

Sweeping historical fiction spanning the life of Violeta, a centenarian leaving the written story of her life from her birth at the time of the Spanish flu until modern day. A languid read with great historical context & a bit of globetrotting. The writing is evocative & atmospheric, delivering historical content in a marvelous fashion. There is great attention to feminist topics & Violeta's character is strong & independent, shining throughout.

quote
Paus0312
Violeta Spanish Edition | Isabel Allende

“There‘s a time to live and a time to die. In between there‘s time to remember.”

2 likes1 stack add
review
Cazxxx
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

This follows Violeta‘s 100 year life, from birth to death. Written as letters to her grandson this absolutely drew me in and I loved every minute of it. Beautifully written with lots of historial moments and I felt very emotional by the end. Loved the writing in this one and would like to read more from this author
4 ⭐️

40 likes2 stack adds
quote
Paus0312
Violeta Spanish Edition | Isabel Allende

“All you regret in the end are the sins you didn‘t commit,”

review
MysticFaerie
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

4.5⭐/5⭐

blurb
Coleen_Nieto
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image

One of my friends made me a beautiful quilt from my husband's shirts.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awww 💙💙💙 2y
19 likes1 comment
review
marleed
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

Because of the way the story was told through Violeta‘s letter to her grandson, I felt a bit disconnected to the fictional characters. On the other hand, the format led to reading about 100 years of Chilean history in away that wasn‘t overly burdened with details and descriptions which could have become a chunkster that may never have tackled. So yea, a pick!

KristiAhlers I really enjoyed this one! 2y
marleed @KristiAhlers I‘m always interested to read her books because she teaches me history I didn‘t know existed! 2y
KristiAhlers @marleed yes! That‘s one of the reasons I automatically buy her books. Despite having a degree in history the course work and my nature curiosity sadly never really touch on Chilean history. 2y
marleed @KristiAhlers Haha, you make feel a wee bit better about all the history I never knew existed. I also consider Lisa See to be a history teacher as both send me down google searches that are fascinating. 2y
87 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
Bookwomble
Violeta | Isabel Allende
post image
Pickpick

A wonderful first-person narrative of Violeta's 100-year life in an unnamed South American country which is obviously Chile. Following her journey, I wanted to alternately hug and scream at her, but mostly hug (which she'd have hated, and would have said so). It's no spoiler to say she died at the end (we all do), and I cried.
This is the first book I've read by Isabel Allende, and it won't be the last. 5 ⭐

30 likes2 stack adds