This amazing novel spans from the Spanish Flu pandemic to our very own Covid pandemic. This epistle is written by Violeta to her grandson. She tells of her idyllic childhood in South America to her vibrant later years. She also told all about the family and friends that helped shape her life. I appreciated the history she included, but at times the writing became a bit preachy. I gave this 4 stars because for a smart woman, she made a lot of poor choices.
If you like historical fiction and stories that revolve around strong families, then this book is for you. I want to thank the author, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

It is a rainy night when Violeta del Valle is born in the middle of the Spanish Flu epidemic in an unnamed country in South America. Her mother has a bad case of tuberculosis. Her older brothers have been sent out of the country. Her father has ordered the women to stay in the house and not leave. The story covers the 100 year life of Violeta. This is my first book by Allende, and I enjoyed it immensely. I could not help but think of my grandmother. She was born twenty years before Violeta in upstate New York, lived on a farm graduated from Rochester Insitute of Technology (about 30 miles from Seneca Falls) taught in a one-room school house, ….I used to spend summers with her when I was in grade school. How I wish I could talk to her today to know all her stories. I kept thinking about this as I read Violeta’s story. The characters (and there were many) were well developed. Violeta suffered hardships and also had many interesting relationships. I especially liked Miss Taylor, Aunt Pia, Aunt Pilar, Roy Cooper, her last husband and the people who lived on the farm. Her two children gave her a lot of grief in their lives. I wish she had an epilogue at the end of the book told through her grandson Camilo’s eyes..maybe a eulogy. I will definitely read another book by Allende soon. My thanks to Random House Ballantine for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

"Sometimes our fates take turns that we don't notice in the moment they occur, but if you live as long as I have they become clear in hindsight."

Violeta was a journey I was 'all in' for taking. There is so much to say about this sweeping epic - it covers 100 years of a woman's life and the lives of those she loves.

One thing I loved in both Violeta and Allende's A Long Petal of the Sea is the journey, both through a person's life and through a country's history. The book talks not only of Chile (which is not directly named in the book), but world events in other countries such as Cuba and Argentina. One of the things that makes the book poignant is the time period it is written. The main character, Violeta, is born in 1920, during the Spanish Flu, and the tale continues to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. In the span of those 100 years, we follow Violeta as she matures first in a firmly-planted family, then one driven to exile, and her growth into adulthood. The reader's heart hurts for some of the decisions, or lack of decisions, Violeta makes but it makes the story poignant.

I enjoyed the minor character's stories just as much as the main characters. I liked how the book was divided into sections with a title that reflect the dates it covers.

I'd encourage others to travel through the saga of Violeta's life.

My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for the free Advanced Review Copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Isabel Allende’s latest novel Violeta explores the life of Violeta over a 100 year period, bookended by the Spanish Flu and Coronavirus pandemics. It is written as a long letter/testimony to Camillo, whose relationship to Violeta is not disclosed until three-quarters of the way through the novel. We experience her life, her family, friendships and romances, and the political upheaval in her South American country.

I enjoyed Violeta as it’s very reminiscent of Allende’s other works. She is very adept at creating wonderful characters whose lives and actions go hand and hand with historical events of the time and location. While the country Violeta lives in is not named, we clearly see the historical parallels with Allende’s home country of Chile. We experience the political and economic turmoil through her family, friends and romances and the struggles she encounters when she realizes she loves people on both sides of the conflict.

The only drawback I had with the novel is that the language was very plain. I wasn’t on the edge of my seat waiting to read the next chapter. I kept wondering if the original version in Spanish might be more enjoyable and how an English translation can affect the material.

Thank you to @NetGalley @BallantineBooks for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Are you looking for a story that will keep you thinking about it for a long time? This wonderful novel, that feels very much like a memoir, will have you reading into the wee hours. Ms. Allende is a master storyteller and kept me turning pages wondering what I would find next in Violeta's life. We are never quite sure what South American country she is in but the rich history of economic depression, government atrocities and desperation are juxtaposed with happy times and loving people. Despite losing her fortune on several occasions, Violeta has a mind for business and bounces back. She has several loves that compliment and sustain her as well as some bad romantic choices. She has wonderful happiness as well as grief filled losses. You will not be sorry if you read this book. Highly recommended.

As a fan of other Isabel Allende novels and reading the buzz about this sweeping fictional memoir of a South American women who lives to 100 - and whose life is book-ended by two global pandemics - I couldn't wait to begin reading this book. Violeta's story is both inspiring and tragic, as she lives through multiple family tragedies with both her parents and children, has multiple lovers and husbands, and lives through several major political upheavals in the unnamed country in which she lives. Despite the sweeping story that she recounts for a family member (whose relationship isn't revealed until halfway through the story), I never really engaged with Violeta as she described her life experiences with somewhat of a detached, cold voice. While I'm sure her voice was intentional in reflecting her stoic nature that enabled her to survive, thrive, and recount her life's highs and lows with keen detail, for me it was more of a flat, tedious read. I have no doubt that others will feel differently after the last page, but in my view it was not one of my favorites from this author.

Not for me. Frankly, I was bored. Since I asked to read this on NetGalley and was approved I felt obligated to finish the book, otherwise I would have shelved it after 25-30%.

It is stated the story is a letter to one person that Violeta loves. It was all over the place, and doesn't feel or read like a letter throughout most of the book. I couldn't relate to any of the characters, and I can't even say I didn't like them, as I just didn't care. There were too many spots where explanations were needed. I'm left wondering what was the point.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for accepting my request to read and review Violeta.

#NetGalley
#Violeta
#RandomHousePublishingGroup

Another story so well told that I could visualize the characters while reading it. I found the narrator’s style of telling the story completely engaging. I often forgot that the story is told as one long letter although the author drops creative reminders here and there. One review I read shared that they felt they didn’t really get to know the narrator. I actually felt the opposite. I felt like that was actually intended as part of who she was and that as the reader I knew her as well as anyone did in her (fictional) life. She kept her walls up only letting them down for brief interludes during her life.

I don’t usually share a quote but this one resonated with me. “The journey of life has long and tedious stretches, step by step, day by day, without anything exciting happening, but memory is made up of the unexpected events that mark your course.” That sentiment could have made the telling of this story slow but it is the exact opposite. The quick pace of the telling of the story allows it to span almost a century without dragging at all.

This author is an excellent story teller and the book has some interesting twists.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by Isabel Allende. It will certainly not be the last. I believe this is the first epistolary novel I’ve ever read also. I found it very enjoyable. I have often mentioned my love of stories that take the characters on a journey, and this was quite a journey. One hundred years of family and world history were traveled in just a little over 300 pages. Allende’s writing flows from one piece of the story to the next flawlessly. After only a few pages it felt like I was reading Violeta’s memoir rather than a novel.

I’m not quite sure what to say about the story that won’t give things away. As I was reading it, I was like where are the battle scenes, where is the worldbuilding? Yes, I read mostly fantasy. But when I had finished, I felt like I had been to battle, had hidden from bad guys, and had been to South America. This story spans 100 years so not a lot of detail could be given in each scene, but when all the scenes are put together in this letter, it is enough to give the reader a sense of being there.

We witness Violeta’s life through her own eyes and with memories she chose to share. I love the characters she speaks of and introduces us to. My favorite is Torito. I hope we all have a Torito in our lives. We certainly all need one.

Violeta’s journey is amazing to me. I liked who she was at the beginning, trying to find herself and figure out what her way will be. By the end, Violeta has become very dear to me. What I would give to have a letter such as this from some of my favorite loved ones!

I gave this book 5 stars and highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction, Latin American fiction, family drama, epistolary stories, and diverse reads.

Violeta is a sweeping novel following her lifespan from 1920-2020; beginning in a pandemic and ending in another. Violeta explores the relationships throughout her life along with world events.
In all, I found it an entertaining read but thought the ending lacked any lasting impression. Would recommend.

I was not able to finish reading the book on time. The book has been published already. I will be reading it and posting about it on my social media.

The one chapter I was able to read was amazing. I have only read House of Spirits by Isabel Allende and can appreciate the beautiful writing! Authors way of being feminist while narrating about catholic views on social issues.

Thank you for approving an ARC copy. Appreciate you!

This story is a first person POV narrative following Violeta, a woman who was born in Chile at the height of the Spanish Flu. She writes a letter to someone important and takes us on a journey of her life while doing so. We see her growth and the gains and losses she experiences in terms of family, life and love. I love Isabel’s portrayal of every character; so vivid I could visualize them and it even reminded me of some family members/important people in my life. Each character gave me different types of emotions - nostalgia, happiness, love and anger. She also sheds light on the political events during this time (Chilean dictatorship, Women’s Right’s Activism, The Great Depression) and how it affected her and those around her. Violeta’s character grows as she experiences different life struggles and encounters different people. I truly felt so proud of the woman she became. I also loved how the strength of not only her but of the many women in her life is highlighted and how important women empowerment is. This story made me feel the moments of joy and suffering experienced by Violeta. I felt touched while reading this, especially the ending- feeling pain and sadness but also the resilience of the human spirit. It is so beautifully written; almost felt like a true memoir. Women are strength and power. This story reminded me of the women that came before me and endured so much. This easily became one of my favorite books!! Pick this amazing story up today!

This was my first Isabel Allende book and I was so engaged in the beautiful writing style. This story is written as a letter from 100 year old Violeta to her grandson, recounting her life from the city to the countryside of her South American country. I loved to hear her quips and I could imagine a strong, sassy elderly woman giving her opinion. I would recommend this book to readers of family sagas and historical fiction, like Everything I Never Told You and The Mountains Sing.

Violeta by Isabel Allende

In this magnificent novel, Violeta writes to her beloved Camilo a testament of her life that starts on a stormy Friday in 1920. She is the only girl out of six children from the wealthy del Valle family in an unnamed country in South America. Due to the Great Depression and her father’s corrupt business practices, the family flees in exile to a remote village where they live in poverty with amazing people.
This epic novel portrays the life of Violeta throughout her life span of 100 years. Violeta writes of her passions, loves and loss, abuse along with the historical events that occurred in her life- earthquakes, women’s rights movement, political unrest and military dictatorship. She also lived through two major pandemics.
This story was well told, in a way where I felt I was along on this journey with her. I felt like time stopped for me as all I wanted to do was see where Violeta was going to take me next. The story of her strength as she lived through so much turmoil was riveting. She writes in such detail of her marriage and children, and how divorce was not an option when she falls in love with another man. I rejoiced with her in her triumphs and cried in her agony.

I read Allende’s book The Long Petal of The Sea and absolutely loved it. I highly recommend this book to those who love epic historical and women’s fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing- Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Disappointing, especially since I know the author has the potential to be better.

I liked the concept of the main character writing a letter to her nephew reminiscing on her life, but it was executed poorly, in my honest opinion. It felt like I was reading a transcript rather than being immersed in the book and feeling what the protagonist was supposed to feel in those monumental moments in her life. The main character felt cold and detached from the story as if it wasn't her own life she was retelling at times. However, I did tear up and there are emotional parts to this book despite the writing style.

I can appreciate the time and effort placed in the research of this book and like always I enjoy learning different perspectives and aspects of world history that Allende brings to her books, which is why I love to read her books in the first place. I just can't give more than 3 stars. Although it did improve as I continued reading, I think it could have been so much better.


**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

Decent read. Not one of her best, in my opinion... I have read a few of her books in the past and this one was not as good...
3.5 stars...

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the ARC! I own quite a few of the author's books but have yet to read them. This was my first read by her and will definitely read the others I own. What an incredible story! Isabel Allende takes the reader back in time, The author weaves a story so intricately she has a way of transporting the reader back in time. What a journey! We see Violeta Del Valle's life unfold before our eyes in a letter Violeta is writing to a loved one. Her trials and tribulations. Sorrows, loss and joy.
Highly recommend

A beautiful and mesmerizing novel. Allende’s writing is beautiful. I felt as if I was reading a memoir. Definitely a book that everyone should read !

Engaging characters set across a rich lifetime in an unknown country. This was my first Isabel Allende read and I will be picking up more of her work in the future. The storytelling came across as a little clinical at times with a narrator who was too distant and emotionally detached. Overall a good read if not difficult in the ‘ronaverse.
Rating: 3.5/5

This book is written in the form of a letter to someone she loves near the end of her 100-year life and is meant to serve as documentation of the version of her story she's okay with being made public. This made me occasionally wonder how honest she was being, as well as how accurate her memory could possibly be. Sometimes she'd say it'd been a long time and didn't remember the exact details, but she would often get specific in some of her descriptions.

This character also made me think of my Guatemalan grandmother, who died in her 90s and had a completely different life from this character. Still, it made me wonder how she would've written about her life at the end of it.

There were some details about the character that annoyed me but that made a lot of sense based on the time, place, and her social status. Violeta prides herself on being healthy simply because she is strong-willed and doesn't pay much attention to any ailments that show up. She also starts off very unaware of the bubble she's growing up inside of.

She also does grow a lot over the course of the book, and I came to have a lot of love and compassion for her.

4 stars