Isabel Allende
The first time I heard of Isabel Allende was when I saw the movie The House of the Spirits, based on her first novel. Before the movie I had never heard of her and now realize how much movies compete with books for our precious time.
Since I loved the movie with its spirit-inhabited atmosphere, strong characters and story that stuck with me, I decided to read a few of her books. My decision was based partly for my desire for entertainment, but I was also convinced her books could not possibly be as good as the movies and I needed to see for myself.
I was wrong. Her books are even better. Isabel Allende is what they call a true and original story teller with a copious imagination. Despite the fantastic imaginings presented in her works, you believe everything she tells you. Through her stories she lures you into a world that seems just around the corner from where you eat, sleep and breathe. Magic is prevalent and it feels as if you had known nothing else all of your life. Allende creates worlds as easy as words and memorable characters surface as strong as any superhero. Think of Eva Luna, the name of an adorable character that endures under the worst conditions. Most of her books could be categorized under magical realism, yet she herself prefers it to call realistic literature.
In her story collection, I discovered her wonderful wit. I couldn't help but laugh even weeks after finishing her stories. Even now the corners of my mouth curl when I think of a passage where she described a seal. It forever changed the way I view seals.
Somehow politics permeate her works as well. In her The House of the Spirits the 1973 Chilean revolution seeped through the pages and in Of Love and Shadows the protagonists are all affected by the political situation of an unnamed South American country. Allende was inspired to write the story because she researched a political crime committed in Chile. The characters are real. This is no coincidence since Allende's uncle was Salvador Allende, a politician murdered by his opponents. Her Of Love and Shadows describes a love story with the revolution in the background, but the keener observer will notice the greater message of the book.
Isabel Allende is originally from Latin America. She's of Chilean descent but was born in Peru and has lived in Bolivia, Lebanon and Europe. Although her background alone would suffice for interesting settings and locations, Allende does not confine her stories to what she knows. This is a big plus since her own curiosity ignites the reader's curiosity for other places and shows the reader existing worlds from a completely different perspective. Daughter of Fortune, for instance, is situated in historical California at the height of the gold rush. In this book Eliza decided to follow her elusive husband from Chile to California. In between she describes the situation of Chinese minorities about whom little was written. She weaves facts with her uplifting imagination which makes it a breathtaking read.
Some of her books seem to be part of each other like Portrait in Sepia and Daughter of Fortune, yet they are quite suited to be read independently. However her newest books, a trilogy she wrote with a younger audience in mind, is best read in order. This trilogy shows Allende at her best. All three books (City of the Beasts, Kingdom of the Golden Dragon and Forest of the Pygmies) describe three different continents. Each book deals with local customs and colorful locales surrounded by an adventurous plot. The first one was so vivid and engaging that it influenced my own travel plans. I simply had to see Venezuela for myself after reading Allende's words.
Her style and works are versatile. Besides the already mentioned novels, she has also written a very sincere memoir, Paula, about the passing of her daughter, an autobiography called My Invented Country, and a non- traditional cookbook titled Aphrodite. There is a saying that way to a man's heart is through his stomach. After reading and applying this last book you will have all the evidence you need to prove the validity of the saying.
Reading is something I associate with pleasure and every book by Allende, from her early work to her latest trilogy, is pleasure with a capital P.