I enjoyed the first part of this book. The setting was the beginning of World War II and families being separated. Samuel Adler was sent to safety by his mother after much anguish and with his father's disappearance. However, the time frame was cut short on Adler's fate. He was a frightened little boy not knowing if he will ever see his mother again and then a young man in the United States meeting his wife. 20% of the book was historical fiction with the rest of our current state of the southern border and Covind 19.

The connection was families escaping drug cartels and sending their children to safety to the United States. Adler in his later years connects to one of those children who lost everything. They are connected by Selena Duran, a young social worker who is assigned the case of Anita Diaz who has been separated from her mother. Selena with a lawyer friend worked together to find Anita's mother so she could stay in the United States.

For me there was a vast time line and many characters that made up this connection that it fell apart for me.

A special thank you to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Another beautiful book from Allende. A bit different as so much of it is set in the United States and modern. But nonetheless, timely and immersive. Told from multiple viewpoints and times, this is ultimately a story of family. Samuel was a child of the kindertransport who has lived a long life and currently lives in Berkeley, where his longtime housekeeper Lettie has moved in during Covid. Lettie is a child of El Salvador and the horrible atrocities that occurred there during their Civil War. Then there is Selena, a social worker for immigrant children and Frank, a lawyer taking on immigrant cases in hopes of winning over Selena. And in the middle of all of these characters is Anita, a little girl who fled El Salvador with her mother. They ended up in a detention center and were separated. Allende does a masterful job of weaving all of the stories and characters together (as usual) - crafting a beautiful and heart wrenching novel.

Allende’s books are so stunningly written and this was no exception. Truly a gifted storyteller. This was at times tough to read but ultimately a story about never giving up one’s dreams.
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Thank you #randomhouse and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I have never read anything by Isabel Allende before this novel. I know she’s a well-known, well-respected author, critically acclaimed and with a string of best-sellers. I just hadn’t come across her books before — and so, when I got the chance to read this, I was thrilled to!

The novel is a historical and contemporary work of literary fiction; weaving together multiple, seemingly disparate threads, across time and distance. This is a story of multigenerational, intergenerational trauma and the power of found family, the connections we build through shared experience and history. The novel begins with a young boy, left bereft by World War II and the holocaust, then segues into the latter end of the 20th century, refocusing on a young woman whose own life was torn apart by political and real warfare in El Salvador. The paths of these two individuals merge together in 2017 when the United States begins its policy of deporting refugees and refusing asylum to those at the Mexican-US border.

This is a harrowing story, one designed to evoke an emotional response, to serve as an act of resistance and resilience, a political statement and work of activism. It delivers on all these points.

To meet the novel’s objectives, Allende writes simply. The language is straightforward and direct, with little metaphor or room for interpretation; it is accessible in order to reach diverse readers. The prose possesses a determined clarity, one which all readers will appreciate. But readers should not confuse simplicity for lack of depth; Allende’s writing is emotionally charged, it reveals a deep awareness of human frailty and response to trauma.

It is this reader’s opinion that few readers will able to walk away from this novel unmoved by its content and message.

I loved this story and how all the characters were connected. My only criticism is I think it should have been longer. The relationships between all the characters should have been fleshed out more to make their connections more relatable, realistic, and less rushed. I felt no connection to the characters because there just wasn’t enough to create that connection for me.

Isabel Allende is an absolute legend. I grew up reading her books in Spanish and now I get to read them with a completely different mindset and a deeper understanding. I love her to death.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

While there is no doubt that Isabell Allende is a masterful storyteller, this book did not work for me.

The format is one of many characters, each with their own chapters and POV. However, for me there were far too many characters and voices, leaving me not invested in many of them. While I was invested in the child Anita's story, the chapters with her voice did not work for me. By the time the ending and resolution came around when all the characters become connected, it was too little too late for me.

Another issue I had is the pandemic. I have read quite a few novels that were set during 2020 and beyond. The subject matter itself doesn't bother me, but this felt heavy-handed to me. There was a lot of explaining what was happening in the world then, which readers in 2023 don't need to hear.

Because Allende attempts to put so much story in the novel, it ends up being a lot of telling rather than showing, which made me lose interest rapidly. I wish there were fewer characters and a simpler story that allowed us to get deeply in to the story, rather than glossing over large parts of it.

(I got an ARC of this through NetGalley!) I don’t think there’s ever been an Isabel Allende book that I haven’t loved, and this one is no exception. It weaves together two storylines beautifully – we begin by following the story of Samuel, who is separated from his family as a very young boy for his safety after Nazi attacks in Austria. Years and years and years later, another young child, Anita, is fleeing with her mother, and the pair also end up separated. As a social worker and lawyer work to help reunite Anita with her mother, the Anita and Samuel’s stories are told, first separately, and then intertwined. This was such a beautiful story about family and home!

I'm so disappointed, but this just wasn't for me. I was looking forward to my first Isabel Allende book, but I had a really hard time getting through The Wind Knows My Name. I'm having a hard time putting my finger on exactly why I didn't love it, but I think it just felt like too much. The book could have been about Leticia and Samuel or Selena and Anita, but it just felt very disjointed to me and I didn't get enough of each story. There were definitely things I did enjoy and I will give Allende another chance, but this one just was not for me. Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a heart-breaking yet beautiful story of two childhoods separated from the home and family they know. But together they can form a new family and break the cycle of lonliness.

This is a difficult but necessary read by the one and only Isabelle Allende. Her writing takes you along on the journeys of her characters where by some magic things feel as if you're living them or remembering them. This isn't my favorite Allende book but she never misses for me, and this story is no exception. Highly recommend.

As you read this book, I'm warning you, you will begin to feel a heaviness you may not have carried before. A heavily cloaked, to-the-bone type of weariness is something you may experience, as the you read about the devastation that was Kristallnacht. As you envision the scenes at the Mexico-U.S. Border that continue to this day - scenes in which screaming children are ripped from their parents and then stored in cages until the US government has the time to say, "Whoops, we kinda lost any paperwork that would help us find your parents. but well, I'm late for my afternoon Starbucks run, so kinda not my problem right now." Yes, all of this may make you feel heavy. And if you're an open-minded sort of person who enjoys learning and wants to constantly strive to educate yourself, you may start looking at your own behaviors. The way you change the station on the news when the border crisis is covered, the way you know the Jewish people were treated badly under the Third Reich, but don't exactly remember the details.

This is what it is like to read an Isabel Allende novel. Always has been. Allende takes the world as it is, not as it should be, not a fictionalized version, and she writes her characters into our imperfect world. She then blends magical realism with a strong political stance and the next thing you know, you're crying on the couch because you really could be doing more for people in need, you really could be better. You know it and you're pretty sure that somewhere, somehow, now Isabel Allende knows it, too.

In this novel, Allende tells multiple stories. The story of Samuel, shipped away from Vienna shortly after Kristallnacht to avoid the wrath of Hitler. The store of Anita, ripped away from her mother while trying to escape deadly violence in El Salvador. As their stories intertwine, we are reminded - in fact, it becomes impossible to ignore - there is always more we can do. Should do. Must do.

Personally, I've always found Allende's dialogue a bit forced, something just doesn't quite flow for me with her technical writing. But her stories? They more than make up for any small technical missteps. Beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous novel.

You will not be able to understand what some experiences feel like unless you go through them yourself. You could imagine what it could be like, but you would never know. Having to leave your homeland, being separated from your parents at a young age, feeling as if you are the only person left on this planet...

Adler was sent to England at the beginning of the WWII, even though his mother thought they could leave Germany behind together. He grew up as an orphan; he was taken in by a family with good heart. Anita crossed the MX-US border with her mom only to be caught by border police and be separated from her mom. Somewhat paths of these two were crossed and it was the best thing that could happen to either.

Isabelle Allende has the voice for family tragedies, relocated families, and war crimes separating parents from their kids. I liked how she connected two different separations and found the commonality in them: date changes, time passes, but it is still the kids taking burnt of what adults are doing.

I thought this was okay! I would be interested in reading something else by Allende as this was a bit on the shorter side and didn't feel like I couldn't stop reading it. Didn't feel too in depth and I wasn't too invested in the storyline and the characters.

Samuel Adler is 5 when his father disappears during Kristallnacht. His mother secures his transport to London to guarantee his safety from Nazi occupied Austria. Eight decade slater Anita Diaz and her mother flee El Salvador. This story intertwines the past and present with these characters searching for family and home. It is a slow read to tie the pieces together.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book blew me away! The story was so sad and yet Anita was a character with such hope and resilience. I am in awe of the story and the way all of the stories came together and intersected. The storytelling was wonderful and so powerful.

There is a reason Allende is such a popular author! She is a must read. I really enjoyed the book and the author! I highly recommend and enjoyed this book.

There are so many layers to this story!

Exploring themes of forced migration, sacrifice, loss, trauma, healing, and the creation of a found family, the author skillfully intertwines three distinct storylines to form a profoundly moving and heartfelt narrative that will resonate with your emotions. The narrative is elevated by the author's powerful prose, exceptional character portrayals, fluid storytelling, and masterful narrative technique, delivering a compelling and captivating reading experience. While the pacing occasionally varies, it does not significantly diminish the overall enjoyment of the book.

Despite the three characters' tales being situated in disparate timelines spanning decades, the author adeptly highlights the connections between historical events and contemporary politics and policies. This connection is explored in the context of the profound impact on children whose lives are shattered by violence, war, forced migration, and immigration policies and politics. The author paints a heart-wrenching tableau of the predicament faced by innocent children, compelled to flee their homeland, with their destinies and lives entrusted to those who may not always offer sympathy to their plight.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

War time fiction is often my favorite type of historical fiction. The characters are faced uncompromising, big fateful decisions. Often what people face wouldn't happen at all during peace time. This story is unique in that it has a parallel storyline of 2 wars in different decades as well as different parts of the world. Several races are involved yet the human condition remains the same. Children cherished by their parents still end up orphans due to the wars' violence. I enjoyed all of the characters and twists in this story. The author wove everything together in a fascinating way. This is an amazing candidate for a Book Club!

Thanks netgalley for giving me the advanced copy so that I can share my thoughts and opinions with y'all 💛

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗲’𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻.

This novel is about two immigrant children growing up decades apart undergoing the trauma of upheaval from country, home, and family. The tale begins in 1938 with the Adlers living in Vienna as the Nazi’s are becoming more powerful and antisemitic policies are in effect. Rudolph, a family physician, and his wife Rachel, who teaches music to supplement their income, try their best to suppress their fears, to keep Samuel, their five-year-old son from understanding the enormity of what is happening. An observant, mature boy who possesses a rare musical genius, particularly on the violin, he cannot be shielded from the violence that is being unleashed upon their Jewish community, no one can. On the night of November 9th, during Kristallnacht (the November pogroms), their course is set, desperate to save her family Rachel knows her only choice is to send Samuel with other children on the Kindertransport train bound for England, despite her fear of the family splitting further apart. Making sure he can at least take his violin aboard; she tells him as soon as his dad gets home, they will be reunited in the pretty country of England and that she loves him. It is with great sacrifice and pain that she sees her only child off, forever. So begins his new life without his family, and the rest is a nightmarish history.

2019 Seven-year-old Anita Díaz alongside her mother Marisol escaped violent gangs in El Salvador, including a bad man who wanted to kill Marisol and made it to Arizona, despite being denied asylum, they entered illegally but not without injury. Marisol is detained and taken to a private prison in Texas, and soon Anita loses contact with her. A trial is set, but the child refuses to return to her dangerous country without her mother. Trapped in limbo, living in a group home for migrant children, she has a special way of seeing. She keeps hope alive and learns to cope with her loneliness and fears through conversations with her imaginary friend. She believes her angel will take them, and her mother once they are reunited, to Azabahar, a far better place than this world. Is everything she sees imaginary, or is she gifted? We learn about the trials of children like Anita and Samuel, things that would bring many adults to their knees. In time, Samuel and Anita come together, and he is reminded of the time in his life when he too had to say goodbye to his mother and was swallowed by the unknown. Samuel more than anyone experiences true compassion for the girl. It is a story about the plight of the displaced, what events force them to flee their homeland, and the resistance they are met with as well as the welcome some offer. It’s much harder to process thinking about children enduring it all, worse still when a parent isn’t there to comfort them. For both Samuel and Anita, it is endless, torturous waiting, left to imagine what has happened to their loved ones, and a child’s mind doesn’t harbor such darkness, as what happened to Samuel’s family after he fled. It is a book meant to be a voice for the children without country, disrupted lives trapped in a damaged immigration system through no fault of their own, those who have been forced to leave childhood behind too soon and how they carry their past forever, but with hope for a secure future.

Yes, read it.

Published June 6, 2023

Random House