Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I am seriously impressed.

Set during the Spanish Civil War, it tells of people crossing the Atlantic to Chile. There are so many historical facts included so that anyone who is not familiar with this time will not flounder and become confused.

I am not entirely sure that Isabel Allende’s latest book, A Long Petal of the Sea, should be categorised as a novel. Although it has a cast of many characters, principally Victor and Roser, the couple whose lives are entwined throughout, the narrative is purely a history lesson. For me it wasn’t an easy read in part because the background stories encompassing Franco’s Spain, fleeing to Chile and Pinochet were so harrowing yet they were so often expressed as rather unemotional facts, one situation followed by another. I wasn’t invested in any of the characters either and when they eventually expressed heartfelt emotion it was too late for me to care. While it disappointed me I am sure there will be many readers who will enjoy the ride. Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Yet another exquisite work from the excellent Isabel Allende. Set in the Spanish Civil War this epic work of love and tragedy is one of Allende's best novels yet. I highly recommend it.

A lovely story that keeps the reader involved from start to finish. The setting is very interesting and the link to historical facts is very informative. Recommended to those who enjoy reading this type of book.

Historical fiction about the Spanish Civil War. There have been some really good books in the genre recently but this one isn't at the top. It tells the story of some of the survivors that cross the Atlantic to settle in Chile. Interesting story but not mind blowing.

This is the first book I have read by Isabel Allende. Having read her praises, I was disappointed with this book. The first part about the Spanish Civil War was better than the latter part, but the whole book was narrative skimming through the story. By the time Victor returned to Chile, I just wanted the book to end.

A Long Petal of the Sea is the story of Victor Dalmau and his family and friends that starts with Victor and his family during the Spanish Civil War, it follows him as he manages to escape from Spain in to France and gain passage on board the Winnipeg for a new life in Chile. Chile is his home until the political changes there once again force him to seek refuge in another country.
The historical references are very informative, especially if you are unfamiliar with these events.
If this story wasn't inspired by the memories of Victor Pey it would feel way too dramatic. That one person can experience so much in their life is almost unbelievable - but they did and you as a reader are fortunate to be able to relive some of it through the words of Isabelle Allende.
I was given a copy of A Long Petal Of The Sea by NetGalley and the publishers in return for my unbiased review

As always (there was never any doubt) Isabel Allende is amazing. I waited too long to pick up this book up, but I made up for it by not putting it down until I had finished!

Isabel Allende is an iconic author and she secured her place in the hall of fame long ago but this book proves her talent even more!

I really enjoyed this book. I have good knowledge of the history of the Spanish Civil War but the beautiful writing and the social impact of the war on the people of Spain comes through on each well-crafted page and takes you beyond the statistics and descriptions of war.

Allende writes with beauty and passion and the narrative sweeps you along from the first line. Each character is vividly drawn and three dimensional with a few clear strokes from this author’s pen. The breakdown of normal life is studied while individuals hold on desperately to what they believe in.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone - not just those interested in history but those interested in human nature and well-written books!

I cannot recommend this beautiful book enough. Every word flowed into a seamless narrative. Beginning in 1938 with the closing chapter of the Spanish civil war, Allende tells the story of Victor and Roser Dalmau. Whilst the characters are fictional, the historical figures are real as are the events. The Republicans are forced to flee Franco's dictatorship, and redemption comes in the form of a ship, the Winnipeg, funded by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Two thousand plus refugees are safely transported to Chile, where they are welcomed and are able to begin a new life. Victor and Roser are forced into marriage by circumstance but theirs is a story of friendship and ultimately true love. Their story carries the whole book - through displacement and sorrow, hope and love, they remain united. Truly beautiful writing.

After suffering through the worst of the Spanish Civil War, young doctor Victor Dalmau is offered the chance to emigrate to Chile on a ship chartered by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Taking with him the mother of his dead brother's child Victor and his new family survive further upset over the next forty years.
In a work of fiction that is populated by real characters such as Neruda, Isabel Allende has crafted a love story to Chile and also explored the stories of the Spanish diaspora. The scenes at the start of the book are some of the best writing I have read about the Spanish Civil War and after that, the story continues to weave the lives of the people into the events of the world.

I really wanted to enjoy this book as I am a big fan of Isabel Allende, but unfortunately I found it quite a slow read, and a bit of a struggle to finish. It's a well-written book though, but it didn't seem to have the spark that is in so many of the author's other books.

With such attention to detail, this book is an eye opener on the Spanish Civil War. I have learnt so much about a war which has been relatively overshadowed by WW2. The author writes descriptively and in detail about the lives of Roser and Victor and their escape from Spain at the end of the civil war. The horrors and experiences they suffered in their escape are something that was experienced by all of those who were desperate to escape the ruling fascists of Franco, and I was astounded and horrified to read about how they were treated. I had no idea!
Isabel Allende describes their escape to Chile, detailing the true path taken by many and their story includes members of her own family as well as other Chilean socialists who helped the refugees.
There is so much to learn from this book, thoroughly recommended for anyone interested in this period.

A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende was a wonderful surprise. Initially drawn to it, I kept putting it aside in favour of other books expecting it to be a little too dry and historical. How wrong I was! From the outset, Victor’s family and friends were interesting and their lives throughout the rebellions, coups and dictatorships brought the countries and eras to life for me. I had little to no knowledge of the detail of Spain and Chile’s histories during those awful times. Who wouldn’t want to be like Roser! What an inspiring character, gifted in recognising what she was passionate about and making things happen. Her fortitude and resolution come across strongly and makes everyone else seem the better for it. This story came with me to bed, on the train, waiting in the car and relaxing at home. I loved it and have no hesitation recommending it as a really good yarn which also educates (my favourite kind of book)

Can I just start this review off by saying how gorgeous the cover of this is?!
This is an epic historical saga that follows the lives of a family who fled Spain during the Spanish civil war in the 1930s (a part of history that I knew very little about).
Allende sure knows how to tell a story, and her characters were beautifully complex. Her descriptions of life as a refugee were harrowing and I enjoyed learning about the political element of this particular part of history. There were parts where the pacing slowed right down and, as a result, the story dragged a little. Also, I had some issues with the formatting but I'm not sure if these were due to me having a proof copy. I couldn't form an emotional connection with the writing
when it became like this
as it felt too choppy
and list-like.
This particular writing style really didn't work for me, but it only made up for a small portion of the book so it didn't interfere too much!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

An exceptional read from Isabel Allende telling of one family’s exile from their home country. In this novel Victor Dalmau a trainee doctor thrown into the melee of the Spanish civil war escapes Spain and the ensuing Franco fascist takeover, with his brother’s pregnant sweetheart to France along with other refugees.

They are fortunate to flee to Chile “a long petal of the sea”on a ship chartered by the poet Pablo Neruda and endeavour to begin a new life. Another epic historical saga from Allende, writing at it’s best, struggled with some of the political storylines however the author having lived through this era, it’s almost auto-biographical and deserves to be in the book.

Thank you to the author and Bloomsbury publishing for an ARC copy of this book.

This is an amazing book, the first I’ve read by Isobel Allende but certainly not the last.
This felt almost like a factual piece, I certainly learned a lot about this aspect of the war. I really liked the characters Victor and Roser, both hard working nice people.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for a review, I have put this review on Amazon too.

Beautifully written historical fiction from Isabel Allende. She always captures the mood so perfectly in whatever era or subject she writes about and this was no exception. Did not want this one to end! Perfect for fans of Allende and for those who have yet to read any of her work

Another family saga by Isabel Allende. Spanning decades, generations, wars and dictatorships, it tells the history of doctor Victor Dalmau and his wife Roser.
Despite a setting of war, combat and concentration camps it still felt like a comfortable read, because the language of the omniscient narrator is at times quite wooly and full of adjectives it creates a distance from the horror the characters are experiencing. Typical for Allende is that all people who enter the story will return and have their own script to play out, this leaves the novel completely rounded off. This might not be the literary standard, but it's soothing and comfortable.
Allende combines the horrors of history, war and dictatorship with the comfort of a rounded off lovestory with no threads left unfinished.