A Name to Remember
Isabel Allende has been called a literary legend. She ranks among the most important and influential contemporary novelists from Latin America, even being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2014. Her latest work, "My Name Is Emilia del Valle," is an historical novel running from the Mission District in San Francisco to the Chilean Civil War of 1891.
Emilia del Valle was raised in San Francisco by her stepfather, Francisco Claro (Papo), who married her mother, Molly Walsh. Molly, a former novice nun, had become pregnant after falling in love with Gonzalo Andres del Valle, a wealthy Chilean aristocrat who subsequently abandoned her. Although Molly harbored a deep-seated resentment toward Gonzalo, Emilia's affection and regard for Papo overshadowed the absence of her biological father.
In the late 19th century, Emilia aspired to be a published writer, a virtually impossible feat for women at the time. As a teenager, she conspired with Papo to publish dime novels using a male pen name. Driven by her literary ambitions, she later secured a position as a human-interest columnist for The Daily Examiner under the pseudonym Brandon J. Price. It was here she met and developed a relationship with Eric Whelan, a reporter who was assigned the more "serious" stories. When civil war was brewing in Chile, the two reporters persuaded their editor to assign them, with Eric focusing on the war and Emilia on its human impact.
Prior to leaving, Emilia assures everyone she will take all the necessary precautions for her safety. She also begrudgingly swears to Molly that she will personally deliver a letter to her biological father; a letter Molly believes is filled with all the spite and bitterness her mother has harbored for years.
Once in Chile, Emilia meets with the President and his head general, her aristocratic aunt, and finally, her father. Amidst historical events and a romance, the vivid depictions of wartime brutality and the victors' vengeful actions profoundly impact Emilia. Shaken by the violence, she doesn't succumb but instead embarks on a quest for self-discovery. The novel emphasizes the transformative power of confronting harsh realities in the search for one's true self.
Drawing on her family's displacement following the 1973 coup d'etat and the assassination of her cousin, President Salvador Allende, the author's flight from Chile to Venezuela resonates with the historical context of the 1891 Chilean Civil War. This personal experience of exile mirrors the historical backdrop explored in her writing.
Allende often features strong, fearless female protagonists, and Emilia del Valle in this novel is no different. Set in 1891, Emilia boldly confronts a male-dominated society in her search for fulfillment. In this quest to find her identity she makes some decisions that may seem self-centered and insensitive to those she loves, but these uncompromising choices would be considered admirable if made by a man.
This historical novel effectively portrays a nation's evolution, featuring compelling characters, especially Emilia's mother and stepfather, alongside memorable secondary figures. The author skillfully maintains a seamless pace across different settings, creating a unified narrative. The book excels in its depiction of historical context and character development.
I need to immerse myself in the works of Isabel Allende. This was quite a baptism.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Isabel Allende has been called a literary legend. She ranks among the most important and influential contemporary novelists from Latin America, even being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2014. Her latest work, "My Name Is Emilia del Valle," is an historical novel running from the Mission District in San Francisco to the Chilean Civil War of 1891.
Emilia del Valle was raised in San Francisco by her stepfather, Francisco Claro (Papo), who married her mother, Molly Walsh. Molly, a former novice nun, had become pregnant after falling in love with Gonzalo Andres del Valle, a wealthy Chilean aristocrat who subsequently abandoned her. Although Molly harbored a deep-seated resentment toward Gonzalo, Emilia's affection and regard for Papo overshadowed the absence of her biological father.
In the late 19th century, Emilia aspired to be a published writer, a virtually impossible feat for women at the time. As a teenager, she conspired with Papo to publish dime novels using a male pen name. Driven by her literary ambitions, she later secured a position as a human-interest columnist for The Daily Examiner under the pseudonym Brandon J. Price. It was here she met and developed a relationship with Eric Whelan, a reporter who was assigned the more "serious" stories. When civil war was brewing in Chile, the two reporters persuaded their editor to assign them, with Eric focusing on the war and Emilia on its human impact.
Prior to leaving, Emilia assures everyone she will take all the necessary precautions for her safety. She also begrudgingly swears to Molly that she will personally deliver a letter to her biological father; a letter Molly believes is filled with all the spite and bitterness her mother has harbored for years.
Once in Chile, Emilia meets with the President and his head general, her aristocratic aunt, and finally, her father. Amidst historical events and a romance, the vivid depictions of wartime brutality and the victors' vengeful actions profoundly impact Emilia. Shaken by the violence, she doesn't succumb but instead embarks on a quest for self-discovery. The novel emphasizes the transformative power of confronting harsh realities in the search for one's true self.
Drawing on her family's displacement following the 1973 coup d'etat and the assassination of her cousin, President Salvador Allende, the author's flight from Chile to Venezuela resonates with the historical context of the 1891 Chilean Civil War. This personal experience of exile mirrors the historical backdrop explored in her writing.
Allende often features strong, fearless female protagonists, and Emilia del Valle in this novel is no different. Set in 1891, Emilia boldly confronts a male-dominated society in her search for fulfillment. In this quest to find her identity she makes some decisions that may seem self-centered and insensitive to those she loves, but these uncompromising choices would be considered admirable if made by a man.
This historical novel effectively portrays a nation's evolution, featuring compelling characters, especially Emilia's mother and stepfather, alongside memorable secondary figures. The author skillfully maintains a seamless pace across different settings, creating a unified narrative. The book excels in its depiction of historical context and character development.
I need to immerse myself in the works of Isabel Allende. This was quite a baptism.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
