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.

Violeta by Isabelle Allende is a beautiful historical fiction that takes the reader through a woman’s lifetime of one hundred years and has it all!

Violeta Del Valle is a fascinating woman that experiences and sees so much having being born at the pivotal time of 1920. We get to see through her eyes and thoughts as she looks back on her life in South America and beyond while growing up and her life experiences as shaped by her family and her surroundings.

This book is epic in the fact that we get to follow along not just for the monumental and earth-shattering personal and societal changes that She experiences, but also the “everyday” things: love, loss, family, friendships, hopes, and dreams over the span of a century.

The author is extremely talented in giving us rich visual images that jump off the page in regards to landscapes, cultures, customs, and at times you can feel as if you have been transported to another time and place. The complex characters that are designed for this multigenerational family saga are also stunning. They are real, raw, honest, and fascinating.

I have been a fan of Ms. Allende for quite some time, and this is a wonderful addition to her impressive portfolio.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House Publishing/Ballantine for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

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


I fell in love with this book when I saw the cover, so beautiful, and when I read the book description, I was sold.

“Her life will be shaped by some of the most important events of history.” You see, I am a history student. I fell in love with learning the history of the world when I was eleven years old, and since then I am obsessed with books that shows different moments of the world history. And how the history can shape someone.

Violeta is a book that felt very real to me, that show how history can be cruel and beautiful and how the world is always moving and you have to move with it. My experience with this book was amazing, the story was bittersweet and yet full of hope.

If you’re searching for a story that it’s full of heart, then Violeta is perfect for you. I loved it.

This book is destined to be another classic from this wonderful author! The scope of the book, the depth of the characters, and the interwoven multi-generational story was such a special read. I was sorry to see it end and thoroughly enjoyed it!