This book is a look at the last 100 years from the lens of a 100 year old woman who has spent her life in an unnamed South American country as well as the USA. It’s Allende so the prose is fantastic, and overall I really liked it. The ending got a bit cliche for me, but I would definitely recommend

Epic. Spectacular. Compelling. Allende at her best!

From the first pages, Violeta drew me in. The writing is captivating and the story is so engaging. I wanted to know 'what's next' and had trouble putting it down!

This is a story of Violeta's life... it is one very long and loving letter written to someone she deeply loves. The story includes Chilean history (which I knew very little about) and bookends the life of Violeta tucked between two pandemics. It is brilliant and I found that bit of irony so perfect and gave an incredible glimpse into the unique life Violeta lived. If you think a person cannot change, this book will show you that change is absolutely possible... you just have to want it with everything in your being.

I want to thank NetGalley, Ballantine, and Random House for this ARC and this is my unbiased review of this book.

I highly recommend it! Really... this is a must read book!

Interesting historical fiction told from the perspective of Violeta Del Valle, a Chilean woman nearing the end of her life and sharing her story with a beloved relative. Violeta's life is bookend by two pandemics--influenza in 1920, and COVID in 2020. In between, she shares her experience of the Great Depression, wars, military coups and dictatorships, natural disasters, personal loves and tragedies, and social justice movements.

I wish this history came with a bit more self-reflection from Violeta. While I feel like I learned a lot about Chilean history, which was presented as the driving action for certain developments in her life, when it came to her (fictional) life, I don't know what lessons I was meant to take away because I was limited by what she did (or more often, did not) learn. Without that, it sometimes felt like a series of "and then this happened, and then this happened."

That said, it was generally entertaining and a colorful, detailed narrative that will appeal to Allende fans and those who love stories set against compelling historical backdrops.

Violeta is another Allende tour de force. While you are reading, you ARE Violeta. You see everything through her eyes, and she is a keen observer, as is Allende herself. There is no soft-pedal of the difficult situations that populate Violeta’s life, but this is by no means a depressing novel. For me, rather than depressed, I found myself intrigued, wanting to know what happens next. Isabel Allende is, above all things, a wonderful writer. Violeta is worth reading for the writing alone. But read it also for the story of an engrossing life. You won’t regret it.

VIoleta narrates the story of her life , and it’s a long life !
It's written to a specific person and you’ll spend at least half the book figuring out who it is. It is very detailed and I’ll admit that at times I grew a bit weary but never to the point of wanting to stop reading it.
As years go by she experiences so many different trials , tribulations, friendships, lovers family issues and just life in general during her long lifespan.
Allende’s books paint a complex picture of people, places and world events , and she is quite the artist of literature !
Great character development and the scenes are nuanced to the perfection of every detail.
I think this is a great book many would love, maybe not my “cup of tea” 100% though.
I did enjoy the book overall and it is certainly worth consideration for most readers.
Thanks to @NetGalley @ballantine @randomhouse for the ARC , this is my unbiased review.

NOTE: I received early access to this book through netgalley.com in exchange for writing an impartial review. Thank you Ballantine Books. Scheduled Publication: January 25, 2022.

I should acknowledge up front that author Isabel Allende is a favorite of mine and I have loved nearly all of her books. This one is no exception.

I find some books tend to be more plot driven, others propelled by character evolution, and a few full of rich, lyrical language that can read like poetry. In this historical novel, Allende manages to blend all three. As she so often does. Her descriptions of seemingly small moments include such touching detail that they often made me feel I was sitting in the room as a witness. This book is not just a well-crafted novel. It's literature.

VIOLETA is a first person narrative, a woman writing down the story of her life as she approaches death. It's written to a specific person -- but you will need to discover who that is on your own. The book is also a story that closely follows the history of a century.

Born during the Spanish Flu Epidemic (1920), Violeta begins her life in a large extended family with great wealth, largely because her father believes economic success grows naturally out of a willingness to take great risk. Not surprisingly, the 1930s Depression hits the family hard. A dramatic change in circumstance propels Violeta into a much wider, and far less protected world.

As years pass, she experiences poverty, violence, marriage, passion, children, love affairs, tragedy, and successes and failures. All against the unfolding history of a South American country enduring repeated political repression and revolution. World War II, gangsters, drugs and hippies, addiction, abuse, and more reach into Violeta's orbit. Her priorities shift multiple times as she comes in contact with a wider variety of perspectives (Spanish-speaking elite, indigenous people, and ex-pats) and understands more about other realities surrounding her. Violeta's story is as challenging as the profound historical events impacting her loved ones, but also as dramatic and universal as the day-to-day experiences impacting EVERY woman's life (i.e. love, friendship, family).

VIOLETA is a beautiful novel from the very first page, full of three-dimensional characters exhibiting all the foibles we recognize as simply part of human nature. Don't miss VIOLETA.

I have a hard time describing Isabel Allende’s books to anyone other than saying that her writing is masterful, beautiful and transcending and Violeta doesn’t disappoint and does the same. Violeta is a beautifully written story about a woman who has lived a long life and is now telling that story to her grandson. This story spans generations and the character development is wonderful. Another 5 star rating for Isabel Allende!

The past 100 years as told through the voice of one woman whose life bears similarities to that of the author, the iconic Isabel Allende. The only reason I don't award it a full five stars is the lagging in the latter half, which tested my patience a bit. But as with all of Allende's heroines, Violeta is emblematic of her time and her history, drawing parallels between the Spanish flu and the current Covid pandemic, among other things.

I am gutted to have finished Allende’s latest, and the book was easiest the best of the year so far, and intoxicating. Violeta is so marvelous in all of her adventurous soul, and epic in her 100 year life. If only she were real, but as always, the author gives us a romantic, exotic tale, while also illustrating the darkness of the time. This book is a gem

A beautifully written book about one women’s life from 1920 to 2020. Told ta beloved grandson the story unfolds through the lens of a changing world over a century. A remarkable woman and a wonderful story.

Mixed feelings on this historical fiction novel, I liked the story and the narrative style but struggled to connect with Violeta as a main character. I did however enjoy seeing the events of that time period through her eyes as she tells her life story.

did not like book did not hold my interest would not recommend much too wordy some may like it,just not me

🌸Violeta🌸
.
Cayla 3.5⭐️.
Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse & @ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
.
Violeta was born in 1920 in the middle of the Spanish flu outbreak in South America and died in 2020 in the middle of the COVID 19 pandemic. In a letter to her grandson as she lays dying, she writes her whole history, and with it the history of a whole century. Pandemics, exile, government revolutions, heartbreak, death, are all mixed in with births, marriages, love, and happiness. A lifetime of memories.
💭Thoughts💭
Author @isabelallende did such a great job of communicating the thoughts of an older woman telling a story. She sticks to a basic 20 year span per section, but sometimes it’s sidetracked which makes it very believable. I loved the first half of this book but felt that the last half dragged a bit. It also was very heavily factual about the government regimes and revolutions. Over all, such a beautiful story of a hundred years of life.
.
⌛️Favorite Moment⌛️
My favorite section of this book was Violeta’s first twenty years of life. It was so interesting to see the parallels between the Spanish flu and COVID. It’s crazy that history repeats itself, yet we never learn.
.
🎉 Theme Ideas 🎉
When Violeta went to exile and lived with the Rivas family, Facunda made hand pies and homemade bread. Eat some empanadas and do some research about the history of South America’s government!

Epic story telling as Violeta, a centurion, tells her life story in a letter to Camilo, her grandson. It is a story bearing testament to amazing events in history from the Spanish Flu to the Coronovirus that helped shape her life.

Born during the Pandemic of the Spanish Flu in 1920, Violeta Del Valle is the only girl in a prominent South American family. She is deeply spoiled until Miss Taylor, her governess comes to teach her and also becomes her great friend. Following the death of her father in the aftermath of the great financial collapse, her older brother takes her under his wing as the family flees to the rural countryside in Exile. Violeta blossoms and marries a German man, whom she becomes bored with and soon leaves to become the lover of an adventurous pilot, Julian Bravo. She and Julian, although they had two children, had a tumultuous and violent relationship and never married. This drove Violeta to survive on her own, in business with her brother, and became financially independent. However, financial success led to consequential loss of her children. Violeta learns to survive and finds passion for what really matters. During the political upheaval in her country, as she raises her grandson, she shifts her priorities and focuses on women’s rights and civil rights.

Violeta’s story is one of courage, determination, and passion. I believe that Violeta had to experience all the heartbreak and joy to finally find peace in her life. What a great story to read. The plentiful details and expansive development of the characters kept me reading this, not wanting to put it down. The turmoil that Violeta experienced and yet survived and thrived through gives us hope for the strength of the human spirit. Isabel Allende has written another great epic historical novel.

Many thanks to #isabelallende #violeta #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

There is no doubt that Allende is one of our greatest living authors. Violeta is the story of a women, on the brink of death, who has decided to reveal her life story to her grandson Camilo.

Allende so fully inhabits the character of her narrator that is hard for me to believe it is fiction rather than a memoir. The story of her life takes place during the exceedingly tumultuous years in South America between the two Pandemics. Her life swung from wealth to poverty. She had relationships with men who ran the gamut from civilized kindness to criminal recklessness. Her children did not live lives within the conventual expectations of society. Violeta has led a life so rich in the history of this century that this novel can be utilized as a tool for gaining an insight into the troubled years in South America. Her experiences and those of her grandson span 5 continents, each filled with lush descriptions.

It was a pleasure to read this extraordinary book. I thank Netgalley and highly recommend this to anyone anxious to learn about South America, or simply read a book that is so extraordinary.

Beautiful and mesmerizing!!!
This is a soul portrait of a family and friendships….(aging and memories)…
….a deep understanding of the bonds that hold us together.
Gorgeously written, as Isabell Allende can do miraculously!
I loved my time spent with this novel.
Full review to follow in a day or two.

I’m Back!

I enjoyed this book thoroughly!!! When asked “who are your favorite authors?”….Isabel Allende is always one of them.
I’ve gone out of my way to meet her three times at book readings here in the Bay Area. Her book readings are so popular - attendees arrive an hour early to reserve their chair - or risk standing either in the far back of the room - or in some cases - outside the bookstore listening in.
I could sit and listen to her talk for hours.

Isabel Allende, Chilean author and journalist was born in 1942 in Lima, Peru. She is a tiny gorgeous spitfire…..
…..a wise - bright woman and skillful diligent writer.
She’s written over 20 books that have been translated into more than 35 languages. For those who can read her books in Spanish - are truly blessed. I must read them in English - and still feel blessed.
I’ve enjoyed Allende’s early books ‘and’ her later books -(some readers haven’t liked some of her more relatively recent books, expressing “she’s back” when she writes one like ‘again’)….
but honestly…
I like them all: fiction, oldies, newbies, non fiction (3 ‘amazing’ memoirs)….I’m just not picky when it comes to one of my favorite human beings shorter than I am….
…..from her magical realism stories, fantasy and myths— to her ‘realistic’ books — I’m a reader who equally enjoys melting into ‘anything Isabel Allende writes.

So….ABOUT “Violeta”…..
…..Violeta Del Valle has lived a hundred years. “Where did all the years go?”
This is ‘exactly’ the type of book - (epic story spanning personal and global history over a hundred years). My aunt will be 90 years old next month and the family is planning a birthday celebration- filled with photo family slides - and 90 years of storytelling - a family gathering feast of love for the greatest Auntie Jeanne in the world.
So….I had some very direct interest to read Violeta’s story

Isabel Allende begins at the beginning (a once upon a time type ‘feeling’)…..we feel excited to read on >>>>>>>

Violeta was born in 1920, South America [The Camellia House is where Violeta spent her childhood - for which we will learn a lot about her personality- temperament/naturally rebellious - her family, and Violeta’s governess, Miss Josephine Taylor — who eventually tamed Violeta’s childhood sassy inappropriate public behaviors.

It seems no accident that Violeta was a born on stormy day……( matched her natural-stormy-disposition).
Violeta was the first girl born after five brothers. [every baby girl born into a family of all brothers - already knows how powerful and complex that can be].
It was no different for Violeta. The journey we take with her is one fascinating enjoyable story.
Soon after her birth — we follow The Great War, The Spanish Flu, and The Great Depression.
That’s not all!!
Lots more to rock&roll our happy reading boats!

Violeta tells her story - in the form of a letter - to Camilo - her grandson.
Her stories are endless.
Starting with her own complex-aristocratic family - from the capital - to living on a farm with the Rivas family, (a modest, respected family in the area)….
…Lucinda and Abel Rivas were the parents of the governess, Miss Taylor, who were kind to host the De Valle family….when they needed to ‘exile’ ….[readers will learn - why - and ‘what happened’ is interesting and compelling.
…We learn about the scandalous tale that ruin Violeta’s father - Arsenio Del Valle’s reputation.
…plus…..
…Violeta experienced a devastating shock and loss as a child ….that will stay with her for the rest of her life.

…From wealth to poverty…
…hurricane-pandemic- Vietnam war - drugs, music, the sexual revolution, self discovery, horseback riding, Woodstock… gangsters and schemers and spies in Miami…
…risky behaviors (Violeta’s daughter- Nahuel- kinda took after her mother?/!/?!…..only it manifested a little differently because modern times ‘were’ different)
…Coming of age…for both Violeta and her children
…Love relationships- marriage - children - divorce- chaos - joy - growth ….a private detective named Roy Cooper - (an ex-co -who saved Violeta’s daughter) - secrets - economic ruin - global financial catastrophe - fraud - suicide- affairs - panhandling - communes -alligator infected swamps - a Jewish psychiatrist - and an array of many more humanizing experiential formidable years of one woman who lived long enough to pass on her stories.

A few appetizer excerpts:
Here goes:
NOTE: none of the excerpts would be considered spoilers.

“The global financial debacle paralyzed their country. They didn’t know it yet, but they’d be a nation most greatly affected by the crisis, because the exportation system that sustained them would collapse.
Crime rate increased— homelessness, unemployment, soup kitchens…
The capital looked like a city at war. Students went on strike, as did teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers and other unions are united by single demand for the general to step down.
The general, barricaded himself in his office. He couldn’t believe that is like had been turned on its head overnight, and order the police to continue caring out their duty”.

“I quickly lost the innocence that my family had so carefully guarded throughout my childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Rivas did not attempt to shield me from the realities of alcoholism, abused women and children, knife fights, rape, and incest. Life here was very different from the bucolic ideal of a rural existence we’d imagined when we first arrived”.

“The reality is that everyone is responsible for their own life. We’re dealt certain cards at birth, and we play our hand; some of us lose, but others may play skillfully from the same bad hand and triumph”.

“All lives are banal and we are all mediocre”.

I tell ya….I love our pint-size talented storytelling.
Isabel Allende’s literary contributions are triumphant!

Totally enjoyed this novel

Thank you Random House Publishing, Netgalley, and Isabel Allende!

Reading Violeta was like listening to Isabell Allende in person. If anyone has ever heard her speak, either through a Ted talk or a podcast, there is no doubt that this woman embodies a spirit and joie de vivre that is contagious.

Her characters come alive and a personal relationship with each one of them is established. Her passion, focusing on the rights of women, becomes the central theme of this book. Through her masterful storytelling the main character, Violeta, recounts her 100 years of living in a forceful and dynamic way. It shows her transformation from a young girl with her misguided ideals into the magnificent woman that she becomes.. Humor and tragedy combine to make this novel a representation of the beliefs and focus of this very talented author.

Treat yourself to another wonderful experience from Isabell Allende. This book is a must read for all.

Since I’ve read House of Spirits I became a true fan of this brilliant author and her well written, mind spinning historical novels with magical realism vibes and realistic chapters based on true events.

Violeta is another heartfelt, intense story, taking us a long journey which lasts 100 years: giving a mind blowing, sentimental, heartbreaking, compelling life story of Violeta Del Valle. It’s focused on a woman’s lifetime in South America: how her challenging experiences, her relationship with her own family, her surroundings shaped her and recreated her.

The story is told by the letters written to her grandson, starting from 1920’s to the present time, giving photographic, realistic descriptions about the places, cultures, traditions, customs so impeccably. You truly feel like you are transported to another time line, another continent, country, city and you may visualize everything the author tell you from her vivid, detailed, colorful perspective.

Violeta comes to earth as the first daughter of a family of five very animated sons. It’s an epic history lesson giving snippets from very effective events shaped the future lives of humanity including Great War, Spanish Flu and Great Depression.
We observe the loves, losses, beliefs, family dynamics, dreams of a woman in 10 decades.

It was heart wrenching, filled with complex emotions and well developed time travel you shouldn’t dare to miss as like any other great Allende novels!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I have long been a fan of Isabel Allende, and her beautiful writing style. This novel tells the life story of a woman, Violeta, who was born in the 1920’s through letters to her grandson; the book is mostly set in South America, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the area. The reader learns about Violeta’s life, including her relationships with family, career, and beliefs, all set within the backdrop of history. I found it to be gently paced, but vivid.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine Books for the advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This book was provided to me via Kindle by Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine, Ballantine Books and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Lovely, well-written historical fiction.