One of my most anticipated reads of the year and without a doubt one of my top reads of the year!

What I LOVED ❤️
- A DUAL-TIMELINE historical fiction novel spanning Europe during WWII and present day U.S. detention centers along the Mexican border
- TRIPLE POVs - Samuel Adler as a Jewish child impacted by WWII and him as an adult in the U.S., Anita Diaz, a blind child forced to flee El Salvador, and Selena Duran, a young social worker working at the centers by the border
- The IMPACT of these characters STORIES - each of these characters had incredibly impactful and moving stories, they will each live in my heart forever
- Awareness of the current CRISIS at the BORDER - this novel educated me so much about the crisis at the border and the incredibly inhumane conditions people are held in

This book is so incredible impactful and such a moving story - a forever favorite!

📚📚Book Review📚📚

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende is a heartbreaking tale of the unfathomable sacrifices made by parents and their resilient children who somehow never give up hoping and dreaming. Allende weaves the past and present seamlessly in a story spanning decades (from Nazi occupied Vienna to the border crisis today), as she writes about some very unforgettable characters. I was really drawn in by Allende's character development, particularly with respect to the characters of Samuel Adler and Anita Diaz. My only complaint about the book is that I felt there was more story to tell. And even though Allende tells us briefly what happened to Adler's and Diaz's mothers, I truly wanted to read more of their stories in the character's own voices, especially once they were separated from their children. Nonetheless, I would recommend The Wind Knows My Name as Samuel and Anita's stories are well worth reading.

Vienna, Austria, 1938; Samuel Adler is a five year old boy when the apartment where he lives with his Jewish parents, is destroyed during the Kristallnacht. Samuel's father never made it home alive, and his mother can't leave Austria anymore. He will never see his parents again. On a cold december day he is put on a childrens train to England, where he lands in the loving care of a childless couple and who become his second parents. There he lives happily and safe untill he is 35, when he leaves for San Francisco, to become a professional violinist in a symphonic orchestra.
Decades later, in 2019, seven year old Anita Diaz and her mother Marisol flee for the violence in El Salvador to the United States. But they get seperated from each other at the American border. Marisol is sent back to El Salvador, while Anita is sent to a dirty refugee camp with lack of any care for her. Months later, a social worker named Selena Duran, picks up her case and tries to get Anita out of the camp. This works, and months later, Anita finds a safe place in the foster home of Samuel Adler. For Samuel it is if history repeats itself. Together with Selena, they work hard to find Anita's mother Marisol, but if seems like Marisol has gone missing, as there is no trace of her to be found, and the question arises, if just like Samuel in his past, Anita will ever see her beloved mother again..

I truly didn't know what to expect of this book and it is the first book by author Isabel Allende I've read so far. But it truly is a book that I like!
The start of the story where the reader meets Samuel Adlers family in the start of WWII , it truly is gripping and sad, then the story takes a completely different turn and takes you to present time El Salvador to the story of Anita and Marisol. This part felt very realistic because of Anita's sad stay in the refugee camp, which are the sad reality of many immigrants from Central and South America.
At firsthand, it truly made me wonder what the two seperate stories meant, as I was truly curious what happens next to Samuel. It truly takes the reader to far over the middle part of the middle part to find out there is going to be a connection between the two main characters, as other previous parts are sometimes told from Selena's point of view. So it takes a while to figure out how exactly the storyline is build op, but afterwards you can only conclude that this setup of the storyline is truly original and different in a good way than any other book. The characters are very well developed and the conclusion of the book, altough it was not a very happy one, was good. Overall I can say that I truly enjoyed reading this new book by Isabel Allende and I recommend reading it.

Allende can do no wrong and The Wind Knows My Name is no exception. This is beautiful, lyrical, and I can't stop thinking about the characters.

This book was so good -- both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and I thoroughly loved it. 

The book follows several main characters over several time periods. The book starts in Vienna where Sam's mother has to make the choice to send him alone on the kindertransport to get out of the country. From there we follow Sam's life as he moves to England and eventually the US. We also meet Leticia, who eventually comes to work for Sam. Lastly we meet Anita, whose mother has brought her to the US and then disappeared, and the two people helping to find her mother. 

The intersection of these characters, as well as the parallels between what is happening now and what happened during the war, was incredibly powerful. I loved each of the characters and loved how they all came together and the beautiful relationships that were formed. 

The descriptions of early pandemic lockdown made me anxious, Isabel Allende captured that so well -- and the new situations and routines we all found ourselves in. I loved the end and was so happy they all found each other. 

Overall I highly recommend this book, it was so beautiful. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

I am a big fan of Isabel Allende but this book didn't land for me in the same way as the others I have read. I of course loved House of the Spirits and found her last novel Violeta to be equally compelling.

This one seemed to lack the richness and complexity that I've come to expect in her books. This book also took place mainly in the United States so perhaps that is why it felt disconnected to me. It's also possible that the plot taking place during the pandemic just didn't feel interesting enough to me. The pandemic was mentioned but only in a very vague and cursory way when in reality it likely would have consumed the main character's thoughts a whole lot lore than the story let on.
I enjoyed the characters in this one but didn't feel they were fully developed the way I've come to expect with Allende's books.

All in all I found the storyline somewhat entertaining and enjoyable but wouldn't recommend this book Ober the author's other works.

This is another great time-spanning novel by Isabel Allende. While this story is bit shorter and tighter than the epic A Long Petal of the Sea, Allende still manages to weave multiple narratives from parallel refugee crises spanning over 80 years. The way Allende does this in under 300 pages is a feat in itself, and it really could have probably been longer and still remained compelling. The overarching idea of how history parallels itself, many times tragically, in ways that aren't always immediately apparent is present through these connected stories. While the content and time periods covered definitely ensures that parts of these stories will be deeply saddening, Allende has again written a historical fiction novel that is captivating and humanizing. I would definitely recommend this read from one of the best historical fiction writers of the moment.

I’m not big on fantasy or what I think of as magical realism, so I wasn’t sure about this one… but I had just finished reading Ms. Allende’s stunning memoir The Soul of a Woman, so I was eager to read her latest The Wind Knows My Name, and happy to receive a copy from Random House Ballantine and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

This story is so touching and gripping, and the way it is written is incredibly beautiful. There are actually two stories presented, each centered around a child fleeing something horrible, looking for a place to LIVE and grow. The first child is a musically gifted young boy named Samuel, whose father has disappeared during Kristallnacht in Austria in 1938. His mother, desperate to save her child, sends him ALONE to England. After a series of orphanages, he is adopted by a Quaker couple.

Eighty-some years later, a 7-year old girl named Anita flees with her mother from the horror of her family’s homeland of El Salvador, hoping that the U.S. will take them in. Thanks to the insanity of immigration under the Trump administration, Anita finds herself in a freaking CAGE where she escapes into fantasy using her imagination. Fortunately, a social worker and an attorney work to try to help her.

Both stories are heartbreaking. There are sporadic glimpses of hope in both stories, but they are both definitely emotionally challenging, particularly for hyper-sensitive readers. But I highly recommend this, and give it five stars. Oh, and by the way, Allende is a genius.

Isabel Allende's "The Wind Knows My Name" is a dual timeline story about two children in two places and times as they find their way to new countries. In one timeline, Samuel leaves Vienna on his own survives the Holocaust due to his mother's foresight and sacrifice. Leticia narrates some of his section as she cares for him in his old age.

In the 2019 timeline, El Salvadorian Anita is separated from her mother at the border to the United States when they enter illegally. Anita is blind and has an imaginary world to help her cope with the loss of her mother and little sister who died before the immigration.

A social worker and lawyer get involved and try to help Anita until she can be reunited with her mother.
Allende knows how to craft a story that makes us root for her characters. We so want them to find their place in the world and family to enjoy it with.

Thank you so much to Random House-Ballantine and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this story.

Preview for Netgalley: I did not find this as engaging as Long Petal, but it was still enjoyable. Where as her previous book read as though it could be true, this one was more obviously fiction. But the story kept me engaged and invested in the outcome of the characters, especially the mystery of the missing daughter.

The Wind Knows My Name is a masterfully crafted novel that seamlessly weaves together the lives of two unforgettable characters, Samuel Adler and Anita Díaz, who are separated from their families by very different circumstances but bound by their shared quest for family and home.

Set in Vienna in 1938, the story begins with a five-year-old Samuel Adler and the heart-wrenching disappearance of his father during Kristallnacht. As the shadows of Nazi-occupied Austria loom over Samuel's family, his mother makes the difficult decision to secure his place on a transport train to England. With nothing but a change of clothes and his beloved violin, Samuel embarks on a journey that will shape the rest of his life.

Fast forward to Arizona in 2019, and we meet Anita Díaz and her mother, fleeing danger in El Salvador and seeking refuge in the United States. Their arrival coincides with the family separation policy, and young Anita finds herself alone in a camp in Nogales. To escape her harsh reality, she immerses herself in Azabahar, a magical world of her imagination. Alongside Anita, we follow Selena Durán, a dedicated social worker, who enlists the help of a determined lawyer in her search for Anita's mother.

The author expertly intertwines past and present, seamlessly shifting between the experiences of Samuel and Anita. Their individual journeys are emotionally compelling, highlighting the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges. Through their eyes, we witness the sacrifices parents make for their children and the indomitable power of hope that drives them forward.

The historical backdrop of Nazi-occupied Austria adds a layer of depth and poignancy to Samuel's narrative. The author's meticulous attention to detail and historical accuracy transport readers to Vienna in 1938, allowing us to witness the harrowing events and feel the weight of the characters' experiences. The parallels between Samuel's journey and Anita's displacement in modern times serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by refugees and the enduring human spirit that refuses to be extinguished.

The Wind Knows My Name is a love letter to the resilience of the human heart and the unbreakable bonds of family. The prose is beautifully written, capturing both the innocence of childhood and the profound wisdom that emerges from life's trials. The author's vivid descriptions and evocative imagery bring each scene to life, allowing readers to feel the emotions and immerse themselves fully in the characters' journeys.

This story is a timeless tale of resilience, hope, and the power of the human spirit. Through the interwoven stories of Samuel and Anita, the author reminds us of the sacrifices made by parents and the enduring strength of children who never stop dreaming. It is a poignant and captivating novel that will resonate deeply with readers long after the final page has been turned. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a profound and heartfelt reading experience.

This is such a dark story, I didn't know what I was getting myself into.
I love Isabel for shedding light into South and Central American history and politics. Really threw me for a loop with the story starting off in WW2 for a while. I was still hooked but El Salvatore got me anxious to find out what happens next. The audiobook is excellent to listen to and I enjoyed most of the characters. I wish there was more interactions with them with dialogue than statements in the book. I don't think it's as good as Violeta but a close second!

Oh, I loved loved loved this book. This was my favorite of all of the authors books that I read tying together, the horrors of the holocaust and the horrors of the child separation at our border. Was genius and so moving.

The Wind Knows My Name
The books began with Kristallnact in November 1938 when there was violence against the Jews in Vienna, Austria. Simon Adler’s Jewish parents decided to send him to safety in England and hoped to be reunited once the violence ended. Unfortunately both his parents were killed in the Holocaust. Simon had a few bad foster home placements before meeting a loving English couple who raised him and encouraged his musical talent.
In 2019 Anita Diaz and her mother fled the gang violence in El Salvador. However when they got to the US-Mexico border they were separated due to a US immigration policy. Like Simon, Anita, who was partially blind, had a few bad foster home placements. Then a social worker and a lawyer were able to place her with a distant cousin, Letitia. The cousin had been working as a live in housekeeper for the now elderly Simon Adler.
Simon and Anita, who had both been abandoned as young children, now found themselves living together. Meanwhile the attorney and social worker tried to find Anita’s mother in Mexico and her former home in El Salvador.
I did not enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed Allende’s book In the Dead of Winter. Both books exposed the lives of undocumented immigrants who fled dangerous Central American countries. However I did not find the characters in this book as likable as those in In The Death of Winter. Most people are aware of the large number of immigrants trying to reach the US via the Southern border today. The political solutions for this problem from the last few administrations have not always been humane or just. The problem continues to this day.
I received this ARC from the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

The wonderful Isabel Allende has written a very ambitious novel, twining several time periods and tragic times for children. Part one traces Samuel Adler, a violin prodigy whose parents manage to find a place for him on the last Kindertransport taking Jewish children to safety in England. He has some rough starts but finally finds a home and his way, even though his entire family is lost. Leticia and her father manage to escape El Salvador when the rest of their family is killed in a massacre. Salvadoran Anita is seven, barely-sighted, and separated from her mother at the U.S. border during Covid. Mexican-American Selena works for an advocacy group that pairs immigrant children with pro-bono lawyers.

The stories twist and tangle around each other in a general satisfying way but it's pretty clear that Allende finds family separation appalling. She gets heavy handed and starts telling, not showing. That being said, I don't think I can think of anyone who has described the plight of children separated from their parents. The children are always the ones who suffer. There's a lot of pain in "The Wind Knows My Name" and although it's not Isabel Allende's strongest work, it is worth reading.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for a digital copy if this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This a beautifully written book that shows how through generations children have been put through a lot and been taken from their families. But they continue to have hope for the future.
I liked the way this book flowed and how the timelines intersected.
This is a lovely book and would make for good discussion in a book club.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Wow. This book made me cry. Four stories, all so different but at the same time they all tell the same story: war and immigration. Isabel Allende is a master storyteller, and her characters are so rich in details that you can actually feel them.

“ No, we’re not lost. The wind knows my name. And yours too. Everyone knows where we are. I am here with you and I know where you are and you know where I am.” - Anita to Claudia - one of the most touching parts of the book -

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange of my honest review

Beautifully written with two absorbing storylines, Allende has provided us with a map of the ugliness in the world, while providing us with some hope. Samuel is from Vienna, where during Kristallnacht, his whole life changed. Part of the Kindertransport of European Jewish children sent to England for safety, leaving the comfort of their families, Samuel s story is moving and important. The second story line revolves around Anita, a young eight year old Salvadoran girl, separated from her mother, Marisol, at the border. Selena, a social worker with the Magnolia group, works to reunite parents and children cruelly separated at the border by the Trump regime. Using those two heartbreaking events in history elucidates the importance of studying these events to make sure they never occur again. Highly recommended, one of Allende s best yet. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I found the story of Samuel Alder the most interesting and compelling in the novel.
Allende weaves all the characters very creatively together. I didn’t particularly care for either Nadine or Camille.
I liked Letica’s snooping in the attic which revealed a lot of secrets. To have an attic to peruse!
Although Allende uses the pandemic as a significant part of the book, it didnt bother me because it wasn’t really emphasized, just more of a backdrop feature.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Unfortunately, this was not, in my opinion, one of Allende's better stories. I felt the characters -- of which there are many -- had no dimensions and were totally lacking in emotion for their individual situations. As to the plot ... eh!?!

Not on my recommend list ... particularly when Ms. Allende has written so many good books.