I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Isabel Allende did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

A beautifully told story that was not only entertaining, it shared so much history that too many people todat have no knowledge of. I've already shared the book with many of my reading circle of all ages. We all agree it's an easy 5 star read.

This was another amazingly beautiful release by an accomplished author. This story spans Violeta’s 100 year long life from being born during the flu outbreak of the early 1900s to the 2020 Covid pandemic. Because this covers such a wide timeframe in the tumultuous setting of South America we are treated to all of Allende’s best plot devices - surviving pandemics, the great depression, loss of familial wealth, political upheavals, marriage problems, estrangement and eventual peace.

This book has it all. It makes a great bookclub read and is definitely a favorite in the library.

A captivating page turner about strong empowered driven women. I love the way Allende wove and told the story of Violeta's life through a letter to her grandson. The book's timeline spans from the Spanish Flu through the most recent Corona pandemic, so you have a front row seat to a lot of historical events occurring throughout those 100 years. Reading this book reminded me a lot of how I feel when I read many of Kristen Hannah's books... and I'm not one bit angry about that.

Another book that I absolutely remember leaving feedback for but somehow disappeared. It’s been so long since I’ve read this, I don’t remember many details. However I do remember that I really enjoyed it. Any book that’s pans decades and generations is good in my book!

This is a story of Violeta del Valle, who has witnessed everything from the effects of the Great War, the Spanish Flu, and the Great Depression in her long life (and that was just the beginning!). Through letter-form, Violeta recounts the ups and downs of her life.

The format of the book created a bit of distance between the reader and Violeta, a sense of not knowing all the details to be fully immersed. However, as I read, I found myself not minding that distance and thinking about how much we can learn from one another's stories and life lessons -- but often, don't take the time or don't get the chance. This had a profound impact on me and has continued to stick with me since I finished reading it.

Violeta is almost 100 years old and is writing a letter to her grandson about her life.

It's immersive, emotional and reflective and spans decades and the whole life that Violeta lived.

Allende's writing is beautiful and I absolutely loved this epic story.

Love when a book can make me laugh and cry at the same time, and Violeta did that! Loved reading about a character brave enough to be bold in a time when women were encouraged to be silent. Bravo!

Isabel Allende's writing has always been poetic. The writing in the book is not different - It reminds me of talking with my grandma or my aunt - women in my family who have lived life and can tell their stories while imparting wisdom,

This is the first book that I’ve read by Isabelle Allende but it’s not going to be the last. She writes so descriptively that you just jump right into the book and you don’t want to put it down. Be sure to pick it up and read it, you won’t be sorry! Thank you for writing such a great book!

I thought that this book was a very insightful and thought-provoking read. I typically don't like historical fiction, but this was a job well done.

On a personal scale, Violeta by Isabel Allende is about love, betrayal, loss, joy, and every emotion that encompasses a woman’s life. One a broader scale, Violeta is about a hundred years of Chilean history. What makes this book work is the main character. The first person narration, even in letters looking back, places me as the reader in the heart of the story with all the emotion that entails.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/12/violeta.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

Stunning. Beguiling. Beautiful. Haunting. Extraordinary book about an extraordinary woman living in extraordinary times.

While I've never been to South America, this novel made me feel as if I was experiencing something of that time and place. Probably Chile is the country and I've read that the main character is based upon--or inspired by--Allende's own mother. The plot, broad in scope, defies any kind of quick synopsis, but the story maintains its intensity throughout.

Excellent worldbuilding. The descriptive passages are often lyrical and with specific, telling details. The characters are fully formed and compelling. The pace moves the story forward and kept my attention at all times. The tone is set perfectly in the opening sentences with that sense of foreboding after being born "in 1920, the year of the scourge." There's also a storm that knocks the power out. Thus, from that first page, readers know Violeta is not destined to be ordinary, but as if ordained by nature, will be someone extraordinary.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys literary historical fiction--or anyone who enjoys a great read.

My copy was from Netgalley but these are my own, honest opinions.

Just, really, a great book.

As usual Isabel Allende completely immerses the reader into her historical fiction as shown through the eyes of the protagonist. This is a beautiful and sweeping character tale that is set initially during the Spanish Influenza pandemic. The writing is gorgeous and the story is gripping. The reader really develops a connection with the characters and you want to know what happens to them.
Highly recommend.

#VioletaEnglishEdition #NetGalley #RandomHousePublishingGroup #Ballantine

A beautiful character-driven story that focuses on the reflections of a South American life in the 20th century. I thought the style of the writing as well as the structure in which it was written was beautiful. This book was great historical fiction, but the fact that it's written somewhat like a memoir in the form of a letter adds a personal touch to it that connects with the reader in a tender way.

Absolutely stunning, thank you so much for sending! Isabel Allende's work is always a joy to read, and her care and tenderness within prose is illuminating.

This is historical fiction in its finest form! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it gripped me from page 1. I genuinely find it difficult to get into historical fiction because they can oftentimes be boring, but this one was incredible! The writing and story was very gripping. Would highly recommend to someone who's just getting into historical fiction!

This story was so interesting and well written, that I never wanted to put it down. The history, recounted over 100 years, was educational, terrifying, beautiful, complicated and simplified. Violeta is a strong, ambitious, independent woman, who is determined to make a difference. So glad I found this book - highly recommend!

Isabel Allende’s writing is beautiful and moving as always. Forever an auto read author for me as she never lets the reader down.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Unfortunately, this was not for me. I was unable to get past the first few chapters. I believe this is just an issue of my taste not aligning with the story. I recommend others try it!