This is another wonderful book by Isabel Allende. As in past works I've read by her, I was swept into new historical territory by a strong, interesting female protagonist. This time the title character is born in 19th century San Francisco. Encouraged by an unconventional stepfather, she begins to write. She at first writes pulp fiction but makes her way into yellow journalism and into love with a fellow reporter. Definitely a good read.

Allende is one of my favorite authors. She never fails to deliver smart but accessible writing, intriguing story lines rich in detail, carefully well developed characters, and pointed philosophical observations. E.g. "How is it possible that, from the dawn of their presence on earth, men have systematically set out to murder each other?" or, "There will never be peace, Emilia. Violence is man's principal vice."

Emelia's story is intricately woven, from her jilted mother's somewhat unconventional background through Emelia's evolution as a writer of copious dime novels on to investigative journalist. The beloved father who raised her fed her curiousity, taught her to believe in herself, follow her instincts and doggedly pursue her life's most important goal. And what a trip it was.

I have loved Allende, and most enjoyed The House of Spirits. I wanted this book to be the same. I shouldn’t have compared these books to each other because they’re very different and for that reason I think I didn’t enjoy it as much.

If I wasn’t looking for a similar feel to THOS, I would have really enjoyed this book. At times the story was a little slow but it was still so good!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy of this ARC.

gorgeously written historical fiction with a very strong sense of time and place, interesting chafracters, and dramatic tension. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Wonderful story. I’m lost for words truly. It was a great story to read. I highly recommend reading without knowing what it is about. It’s better that way. 10/10

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. The book pulled me in from the first page. Ms. Allende is a talented writer who is great at showing us who Emilia is and what she is made of. I really enjoyed this book except for possibly the visuals of war which were gut-wrenching in their descriptions. A good read about a fierce and determined young woman.

Normally I love this author. I’m also very much a mood reader, so that could definitely be playing a big part in this. For some reason, it just felt like the story dragged. Was not holding my attention.

i'm so glad that isabel Allende has returned to what she does best. Presenting a slice of history, vividly told and well researched, enhanced by the personal element in this case a headstrong, independent woman using her talent as a journalist to travel to Chile from San Francisco to come face to face with a father she never knew. In our Euro-centric system, little is learned of the history of South America, and this account of the Chilean civil war of 1891 is brought to life realistically. In fact, the set pieces of the battles are so well wrought, it is sometimes hard to read. If the main character is a little thin sometimes, it can be forgiven in the all over excellence of the background.

Isabel Allende never disappoints! This is a story blending love, history, and conflict with an archetypal, strong-willed Allende character. I was immersed in Emilia’s character development and felt like I was traveling with her on her journey. Definitely recommend!

Isabel Allende has done it again—captivated me with every word. The storyline and descriptions of the Chilean Civil War make it evident that extensive research was done throughout this book. I learned about "Canteen Girls" and was mesmerized by Emilia's courageous journey and strength. A few chapters were very war-heavy and descriptive, which took me longer to read, but the stories were well-written.

My favorite parts were the return of familiar characters such as Paulina del Valle and Aurora del Valle, along with the mention of several others.

Spoiler: The dog is okay.
The Romance was on point!

What was missing: The magical realism elements we all know and love from the author.
I need more from the Del Valle Family perhaps an extension to the Alba del Valle storyline?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc ebook.
"My Name is Emilia del Valle" by Isabel Allende is a meticulously crafted historical fiction novel set during Chile’s Civil War in the 1870s. The story follows Emilia del Valle, a determined journalist who becomes embroiled in the tumult of a civil war while also seeking closure with her biological father. While Allende did an excellent job in capturing the historical landscape, I struggled to connect with the main character and felt distanced from the emotional heart of the story.
One of the main issues for me was Emilia’s portrayal as emotionally distant. Told in first-person, I expected more insight into her world, but Allende seemed to want her to across as a journalist at all times. Often Emilia, felt more like an observer of events than an active participant in her own narrative. Her lack of emotional depth made it difficult to empathize with her, even during pivotal moments of the story.
An example of this emotional detachment comes in a scene where Emilia has her first sexual encounter with Owen Whelan. The scene, framed as a moment of self-discovery, felt unnecessary and out of place. It didn’t add depth to Emilia’s character or to the plot, leaving me questioning its inclusion.
Allende’s attention to historical detail was impressive however. The descriptions of the civil war, its political complexities, and the harsh realities of the time period were powerful and well-executed. I appreciated the authenticity with which she depicted the historical context, even if it was difficult to fully engage with the characters themselves.
My Name is Emilia del Valle” is a well-researched and ambitious historical novel. While I found it difficult to connect with the protagonist, readers who enjoy detailed historical fiction and are less concerned with emotional depth might find this novel to be right up their alley. For myself, the thing I loved most about the book is the cover art.

Thank you, Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the early copy.

The book follows the life of Emilia and Chile civil war. I really enjoyed the structure and the newspaper articles included. Author did not shy away from the realities of war and descriptions were painfully real.
Pacing was a little bit all over the place which made me feel like I've been reading this book forever. I loved it, but also wanted a little bit more of the mystery and events.
Overall, great historical fiction pick.

This is a story of the Chilean Civil War and Allende has obviously done extensive research to knit together such an incredible story. Her characters, as usual, are brilliantly composed and it’s easy to get caught up in their lives and their choices.

Emilia is the kind of character we all love to read about. She’s driven, a feminist before her time, smart, relentless and relatable. Her relationship with her stepfather is heartwarming and one of my favorite aspects of the story.

This novel is on par with some of the best historical fiction books I’ve read. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read this 5-star book.

I have only read a few of Allende’s books, but this didn’t pull me in quite the same as the others I’ve tried. It felt a little disjointed and the characters lacked depth. This book covers the Chilean civil war, a love story, lost and found family, and a little bit of everything in between. So much happened, and I think it would’ve been richer with a little less happening in more detail. It was enjoyable nonetheless.

Emilia was born in 1866 to a bitter woman who, when she was a novice nun, got pregnant. Unable to continue living with the other nuns, she married an older man who had worked with her when she was a novice and loved her. As Emilia grew, she was inundated with stories of her rich and cowardly father who refused to acknowledge his daughter and the inheritance she was owed from his rich coffers.

Emilia loved her stepfather, who taught her everything he knew and instilled in her that she could be anything she wanted to be. As a female she was expected to follow the pre-ordained path of marriage, or specific feminine vocations. However, Emilia had no desire to be a wife, nurse, or teacher. Her passion was writing so, under a male pseudonym, she began writing a series of successful dime store crime novels.

At age twenty-two Emilia became a crime reporter at The Daily Examiner in San Francisco, paired with a male reporter who took her under his wing. Eventually they travelled to Chile to report on its civil war, as Emilia convinced the editor to also let her go because her father was Chilean, and she spoke Spanish.

As Emilia learned more about Chile, its beauty, and its warring factions, she began feeling a love and connection to the country. However, separated from the man she loved, and finding herself on the wrong side of the winning army, Emilia soon found out Chile’s beauty didn’t extend to the black hearts of her countrymen.

In her own words, Emilia explains why she was not the typical female of her time and place. Her rich descriptions and life experiences will keep readers on the edges of their seats until its final, satisfying conclusion.

Highly recommended for Adults.

My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende is a breathtaking novel that beautifully captures the resilience and curiosity of its protagonist, Emilia. Set against the backdrop of the Chilean Civil War, the story follows Emilia’s journey as she defies societal expectations, pursuing knowledge, independence, and her passion for storytelling. Her strength and sense of wonder make her an unforgettable character, drawing readers into her world of adventure, love, and self-discovery. Allende’s lyrical prose and masterful storytelling bring history to life, making this a deeply immersive and emotional read. A definite 5-star book that left me captivated from start to finish!

Ms. Allende is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint in this one. I grew to love Emilia, I think you have to appreciate how this author writes, since she normally covers a country’s crisis in war. This time the story is based in Chile and it is truly a self-discovery and a wonderful love story.
I spent several enjoyable hours with Emilia and Eric. The ending was great. This is one of those books that you think about long after you turn the last page.
I received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for my unbiased review. Comes in with high 5 stars.

My name is Emilia De Valle
Emilia De Valle is the illegitimate child of a nun and a Chilean aristocrat who seduced her mother and left her. She is growing up with her mother and her adoring stepfather in San Francisco in the late 1800’s.
She had a talent for writing and pens short novels under a man’s name, otherwise her books would not be published. She eventually works herself in as a journalist for the Examiner, resenting writing about women’s interest stories. When a chance to travel to Chile comes up to cover the developing civil war, she grabs it and travels to Chile, where she also tries to find and reconnect with her biological father. The author describes the civil war between government forces and the rebels in all the horrific details war entails. The rest of the story takes place in Chile , how Emilia and a colleague, who later becomes her love interest fare in Chile during the civil war and its aftermath.
My favorite genre is historical fiction, because I can always learn from these novels. This is especially true when the author is Isabel Allende and her research is meticulous. I googled the Chilean civil war of 1891 to understand even more the historical events. The writing is beautiful as one would expect from this author. Emilia is a very strong woman and her character endures situations very few could. Overall this is a 5 star novel.
I received a complimentary copy, opinions are my own.

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While the writing was beautiful and I always enjoy reading about historical events I am unfamiliar with, this book missed the mark for me. Despite the high stakes of the situation the characters were in, I felt like this book moved a bit too slowly to hold my interest. I found the descriptions of the Chilean Civil War harrowing and enticing, and my heart broke for those involved; that being said, the characters themselves felt a bit underdeveloped, and with so many names involved in the conflict, it would have been nice to flesh them out a bit more.

All that being said, I would still recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, and those who enjoy reading about strong women pioneering their own path. While this specific book wasn't necessarily for me, I'm open to reading other works by Isabel Allende, since I did really enjoy her writing style.

Loved the story! I felt the last two chapters dragged on but I think it’s more because I was so desperate to hear the ending because I was so into the story. The love story between Eric and Emilia came a little out of nowhere, but nevertheless I still loved their story. I loved Emilia so much, I might name my future daughter after her.