4-1/2 stars rounded up to 5. In an interview, Isabel Allende said that this novel is based on the life of her mother, who died in 2018 at age 98. Violeta, the narrator and main character of the novel, was born in 1920 during the Spanish flu pandemic, and died in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. In between, she lived through a time of extraordinary changes. "What interested me was the fact that my mother lived almost a century—a very interesting and important century where we had two world wars—and she lived in Chile, where there was the dictatorship. So the goal of the book was, of course, Violeta's life, but also to address the times that she lived." Always engaging and very well written, with a large cast of interesting characters, Violeta is more than the story of an individual; it's the story of a century told through one individual's experiences.

Violeta by Isabel Allende, 3.5 stars

Violeta Del Vallel is 100 years old, born in 1920 during the Spanish Flu in South America and she will die in 2020 as the Coronavirus pandemic begins. This is a sweeping novel that covers the span of a whole lifetime in its pages. The entire book is written as a long letter to a descendant loved one so that Violeta may catalog her life– all of her major loves, losses, regrets, and events witnessed. In this way, reading Violeta’s life tale is a beautifully mundane experience, but also an extraordinary view into political events that upheaved the 20th century.

💭Thoughts I had while reading this book:
-Oh God, we’re all going to die one day. I’m going to die. Have I done enough yet? Would my life make an interesting book?
-What historical events does a centenarian consider significant?
-I wish I could read about my grandmother’s life in this format.
-How many great loves can a person have in a lifetime? Are there more to come in my life?
-I really need to prioritize A Long Petal of the Sea, it’s been on my tbr forever.

I would definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for an epic, reflective, life tale.

I have never read Allende’s work before, so I didn’t have any expectations—high or low—going into this book.

Overall, I felt the voice and prose stood out, as well as the concept. I enjoyed reading the voice of an elderly woman and learning about 20th century events from a South American perspective, which are both rather uncommon in publishing. I particularly appreciated that the majority of the book is focused on the past, and only briefly addresses the current pandemic at the end.

I did feel that the book attempted to do too many things. While the variety of topics kept it true to the form and voice—of a letter account of a life—for me, it bogged down sections of the book. In many ways, I think this would be fairly described as a fictional memoir, rather than a novel.

5 stars

I am grateful to Random House publishing group- Ballentine for sending me an advanced copy of this book for review.

This was another enjoyable read from this author. Isabel Allende always delivers on her historical fiction, giving us amazing depictions of historical events . Even with all this attention to history, the story still allows us to connect with the characters as they struggle to exist against the backdrop of great and overwhelming events. This story takes place over an entire lifetime. Our main character Violetta was born at a time of great upheaval in her country of Chile (Spanish Influenza pandemic) and lived through many huge historical moments and times throughout the history of the country. This is a story of a single person, but this person's experiences represent an entire country’s history.

The characters in this story were very layered and intriguing. Violeta herself is the narrator of this story, and she tells us the story of her life through letters that she's writing to a mysterious person she loves. This was a great way to tell this story because it allowed us to hear her very personal account of what it felt like to live through, be part of, and be affected by all the social, political, and economic upheaval that Chile has faced overtime. All of the supporting characters were strong as well, and added to the dynamic nature of the story.

The writing was beautiful, the story flowed freely and felt almost like Violeta was writing to you. The writing really suited the tone of the story and allowed us to be swept up in the pace of these events, and to feel emotionally invested in every moment of Violeta's life. The atmosphere was described beautifully, at times you could feel what the characters were experiencing, not just the physicality of everything but all the emotions that just flowed through the pages of this book. This was an emotional story, this was a story of family, love, loss, grief, anger, and hopelessness.

I think this story was great, and I am happy that her stories continue to be translated so that more people can have access to them. I think this is a great read for people who not only enjoy historical fiction but would really love to learn through a fictional (and engrossing) story about the history of the country of Chile and its people. I recommend this to fans of historical fiction and fans of history.

It has been a while since I have read any of Isabel Allende's book. In truth, I was not a fan of the mystical aspects of other books. When I started reading this book, I wanted to keep an open mind and am so glad I was able to read Violeta. The book is a historical (love) letter of Violeta's life spanning 100 years starting with the Spanish pandemic for her grandson Camilo. Ms. Allende leads the reader through the trials and tribulations of Violeta and her country of Chile. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and how it wove the people and country together. I may have an advantage of some readers as I have spent time in Chile and know quite a bit about its history.

Violeta would be a good book club book as the discussion could hit on history, women's rights or lack thereof, cultural norms and family dynamics.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy.

Absolutely loved this book. Violetta is a very strong woman. I loved this character so much. This book was written in such a way that I felt like I was there going through all the adventures with Violetta. I absolutely love this author. This book was just fantastic. So glad to be an advanced reader. A must read!!’

Violeta writes the story of her life as a letter to a special family member. Her life events are revealed in relationship to other events from the Spanish flu to our present pandemic. Beautifully written, Violeta touched me in a meaningful and emotional way. A must read!

Violeta by Isabel Allende

At the beginning of the book, I found myself lead to read specifically to learn the country of the books setting but eventually it didn’t matter because I finished it with more questions than answers. 

Camillo, the grandson for which the book was written is mentioned at just the appropriate times to add humor. 

Living what seems to be tumultuous life with an almost rape, finding her father’s body after suicide, surviving the Great Depression, and so much learning and the basics of shaping a life from beginning to end. 

How appropriate was it to have been born during the Spanish Flu Pandemic and to die during this time in the world ending life after 100 years during during the Corona virus.

The book had many themes such as, Indigenous People, women's rights and feminism. Family commitment, Feminism, LGBTQ, Hiding behind a “Geisha Mask”.

Overall, I did not like trying to decipher between what was fact and what was fiction. It was extremely creative writing and I liked the book for its sentiment.

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Violeta by Isabel Allende spans an entire century. It is beautifully written with so much heart and soul put into the characters. Violeta, born during the Spanish Flu pandemic, grows up through the rocky 20th century, living through the great wars, the depression, the rise and fall of tyrants, only to see the onset of another pandemic. Violeta accomplishes so much during her lifetime, from a marriage to torrid affairs, working for her family's business before creating and expanding her own empire, asserting her independence as a woman both vocally and financially.

Through all the ups of downs of her life, Violeta remains strong and steadfast in her determination to survive and make her own decisions, not letting anything or anyone get in the way of what she wants. Sometimes, she does lose sight if her goals but she always manages to find her way back to her family.

This was the first Allende book I read and I loved it! There is so much about Violeta that many women can relate to - her independence, her struggles, her loves and heartaches, and what it means to decide your own path. This book is a trove of history as well, depicting events in a South American country that affected Violetta in different ways. I felt for Violeta in her struggles and triumphs. I believe that this is a different type of historical fiction (not the usual WWII novels that flood the market) that many people will enjoy.

This is a sweeping story in trademark Allende fashion, chronicling the life of Violeta Del Valle spanning a century sandwiched by pandemics. The House of the Spirits is one of my all-time favorite books and this reads similarly in that you’re being told a richly detailed story from a narrator looking back on a long life. I love this style of melodic storytelling—it makes me want to wrap myself in a blanket cocoon and let it lull me—and nobody does it quite like Isabel Allende. 💬”…but there was nothing to be gained by contradicting her. Lucinda said that each person was free to narrate their life the way they saw fit.”💬 Love that life lesson. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves timeless storytelling, family sagas, and strong female leads. It’s one to savor.

Utterly fascinating and absorbing book. It is easy to forget this is a fictional book. This will be a book adored by most.

Isabel Allende's new book is hitting stores this Tuesday, Jan 25. Don't miss its debut this week. I just finished an ARC provided by Netgalley and LOVED the book.

Violetta reads like you're having a conversation with a 100-year-old woman as she reflects on her long life over an unprecedented century of history. The novel has a conversational tone and a linear representation of the main character's triumphs and regrets. It felt real.

Allende's newest book reads like a grounded memoir of a woman who lived a big life. Maybe it's because I'm in my seventh decade and feel personally more retrospective, but Violetta touched my heart and left an indelible mark.

If you have enjoyed Allende's other historical fiction, such as Long Petal of the Sea, I expect you'll also enjoy Violetta. Violetta may disappoint if you gravitate more to her magical realism work, like House of the Spirits.

Isabel Allende’s eponymous character Violeta lives to be 100 years old: her life is bookended by the Spanish Flu which raged during her birth to the Corona virus of the 21st century. The lead character is loosely based upon Allende’s own mother, born during the flu, and dying at 98 years. Violeta leaves this testimony of her life to her grandson Camilo, telling him “I think you’ll see that my life story is worthy of a novel, because of my sins more than my virtues.”
Allende’s historical novel details a century in the life of a strong-willed woman, the fifth child and only daughter born to a debutante mother and a scheming businessman in an unnamed South American country. She inherits her father’s business acumen, which serves her well throughout her lifetime. Unfortunately, her personal life was one of turmoil. Allende brings many of the historic events from this time frame into the story: the viruses, the depression, political unrest, devastating hurricanes, revolution, and women’s rights, to name a few. By telling her story in the first person, Allende gave me a sense of involvement with Violeta’s life. I did not always like her, nor did I always agree with her decisions, but I admired her resolve.
I am an Allende fan and think that she has written another great book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for allowing me to read this book pre-publication. The views expressed here are my own.

ARC Review
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Violeta
Author: Isabel Allende
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pub date : Jan 25,2022

I was able to review Violeta by Isabel Allende and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine books for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It is a historical fiction, set in Chile, from 1920 until 2020. It is a series of letters by a grandmother to her grown grandson. Violeta was born during the Spanish flu epidemic in 1920. She lives to be 100 and dies of old age during the coronavirus epidemic. Violeta is an interesting and dynamic character.
Hopefully this is adapted into a movie.
A must read for fans of Isabel Allende!

Reading Isabel Allende's latest two novels, Violeta and A Long Petal of the Sea, has me wanting to go back and reread her earlier work, particularly House of the Spirits. These two latest titles both strike me as telling-not-showing, which anyone who has taken a creative writing class has been told is Not. To. Be. Done. With A Long Petal of the Sea, I found that telling frustrating as it kept me outside events. I'm wondering now if House of the Spirits would strike me similarly.

In Violeta, the telling is done by the title character, who has a specific audience—the grandson Camilo she raised from infancy. Violeta is one hundred years old, ready to move on, and is recounting her life story to fill in events Camilo isn't aware of. Violeta's life begins with one pandemic—influenza. It ends with another—COVID. In between we have a century's worth of Latinx American history, mostly set in Chile, but also Argentina and the U.S. (which counts as Latinx America).

Violeta traces her gradual awakening from spoiled daughter to passionate woman to socially engaged activist. This narrative isn't presented didactically. It's a simple acknowledgement of the ways focus and values can change across the years. Violeta is a political naif at the start, surrounded by those of the middle and upper class who see Allende's election as a tragedy and embrace the military coup that puts Pinochet into power. As her son and others she loves fight against the dictatorship, she comes to question her earlier assumptions, but her more radical views are accompanied by deep concerns for the fates of those speaking out.

The fact that Violeta is the narrator of this story, rather than the third person narration in A Long Petal of the Sea, makes Violeta a far more successful, engaging book. We have a heart to enter, eyes through which to view the world. Knowing one person's interior life allows readers to expand their understanding not just to include that life, but to see beyond it.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

I was eager to read Isabel Allende’s new novel after seeing so much hype, however, this was not an enjoyable read for me.

Let me start by saying that Allende’s writing is beautiful, taking us through the 100 year life of our narrator, Violeta, as she writes to a beloved Camilo. It takes place in South America but we are never explicitly told where, although it isn’t hard to piece together. Following the saga of her life, this truly reads like a memoir. We follow her struggles, her loves, and her losses. For some reason, I just couldn’t connect to the characters; especially Violeta. While the book was so full of detail, it still wasn’t the right type to build that connection and I felt so distanced the entire time. Because of that, I had a really tough time getting through this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Isabelle Allende begins her novel, Violeta, with Violeta’s letter to Camilo whom she loves “more than anyone in this world.” She promises to tell him her life story that is worthy of a novel, more because of her sins than because of her virtues. She wants him to destroy the letters she has already written him over the years that skipped over the sins because they are overly sentimental and keep this account as a replacement in case he wants to stop and remember her.

The rest of the book sounds like a memoir beginning with her birth in South America on a stormy Friday in 1920, the year of the scourge, into a family with five brothers. Simultaneously, the Great War and the Spanish flu arrive. Her father has enough foresight to get his family out of danger into a rural area far different from the life they had always enjoyed in the city.

Violeta tells her adult story frankly, including her sins, with no notion to the reader about the recipient of this epistle until well past the time of intense wondering who she would bare her soul to in such a way. Somehow, she manages to survive and even thrive during a lifetime of bad choices in men, a daughter caught up in a drug culture, and fights for civil rights in her personal life and historical crises in the world around her.

Violeta is nearing 100 years old as she completes her novel in the midst of another pandemic with an additional word to Camilo. It would be hard to miss the similarity in format and the compelling nature to the novel, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. My own evaluation, from my advance reading copy furnished by Net Galley, is that that Violeta’s 100 years is indeed worthy of a novel. It goes on sale on January 25. If you decide to read and discover that she sometimes imparts too much personal information, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

ARC Review
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Violeta
Author: Isabel Allende
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pub date : Jan 25,2022

The first page of this book takes you back in time to 1920 and life in another pandemic : the so called Spanish flu, and continues to 2020. I honestly am one of those that is still sensitive about 2020 so reading about it was emotional for me.
The narrative follows Violeta, an interesting,dynamic character. Her life story reminded me of a movie, so hopefully this is adapted one day. Highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Violeta, by Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende, the grand dame of Latin American literature, has once again brought us an epic novel full of life, memorable characters and the historical events that have marked a century. A must read for fans of Isabel Allende!

Violeta Del Valle’s extraordinary existence begins on a stormy night in 1920 amidst one pandemic and the circle of her life ends on another. Sensing the end of her days, Violeta wishes to tell the story of her life to her beloved grandson. In her letters to Camilo, she attempts to neither romanticize her virtues nor to white wash the sins and mistakes she’s committed over the course of her long life. The novel’s indomitable protagonist narrates her memoir with a clear eye and tells of being born into privilege, the loss of her family wealth, humiliating poverty, and the rise to become an independent woman of means. Violeta chronicles her marriages, passionate affairs, violence, heart break, and devastating personal losses and grief, as well as the political upheavals of her country and the world.

Look for it - Pub date January 25, 2022! My sincerest thanks to @netgalley for the gift of this digital ARC.
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I liked but did not love this book. It does hit the sweet spot for my reading - historical fiction, sweeping timeline of 100 years, and set in a country outside the US. It was a decent read, but not the greatness I expect from Isabel Allende.

Violeta narrates her life’s story, creating a record for her beloved grandson. I liked how her story begins in one pandemic - the Spanish flu - and ends with the coronavirus pandemic. Her life includes daring escapades of escape, love and lust, and building businesses from the ground up. However, I didn’t feel as emotionally invested in Violeta’s life and loves as I expected to. I also missed Allende’s trademark magical realism - this book was fairly standard historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books for sharing this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.