I’ve read a few novels by Allende, and I think this is my favorite. It was wonderful. Although, I do have to say, I really liked the first and last third of the story; the middle third sagged a bit for me.

Violeta is a 100 year old woman looking back on her life. She was born the year of a pandemic and died the year of one. She charts her life, along with the political, social, and cultural history of her country, and, in a way, the world. Allende is a skilled storyteller, and she is at her best when weaving the history of the various Latin American countries into the personal narratives of her characters.

Beautifully written, engrossing; I highly recommend it.

Incidentally, if you are not familiar with “Operation Condor”, you might want to Google it either before reading the book or when you reach that point in your reading. Very eye opening.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this early edition!

What a moving and sweeping story. Spanning from one pandemic to another, the life of Violeta is up and down, but never boring.

Allende's prose is so straightforward without being cold, so matter of while being full of emotion. I can't get enough of it. She so richly tells the story of Violeta, a child born to riches, only to see them lost and her family scattered as they roll with whatever the times bring them. As Violeta lives through social and political upheaval, marriages, lovers and children, she is always looking forward. She tells this story to her grandson Camillo, with the ability to rationalize her decisions while still acknowledging that hindsight is 20/20.

Given that the entire book is told from Violeta's point of view, it's hard to judge other characters since you only get them through her lens, but Allende, through Violeta, has a way of bringing these characters in, allowing them their faults and their gifts without seeming too biased for or against them.

I appreciated Allende never providing the specific country as a setting (though I believe it's Chile) and taking a good portion of the book before we understand who Camillo, the person Violeta narrates her story to, is in the grand scheme of the narrative. With other authors, this might be tedious, but Allende makes it work to her advantage, and the slow drivel of information about everyone a great bit of pacing.

Overall, I can't wait to read more Allende and would recommend this book to anyone who loves just a well-written story that is low on flash and high on honesty and love.

3.5- Isabel Allende's new book, Violeta, is a love letter from Violeta to her grandson, Camilo. Her story spans her life from her birth in 1920 until her death in 2020. She lived through a lot of history and I enjoyed walking back through her memories of all she witnessed and lived through.

Let me preface this review by saying I have loved and read a lot of Isabel Allende’s writing starting with the House Of The Spirits, so I was excited and jumped at the chance of reading this newest one to be published January 25th before publication.
I was not disappointed - all Isabel Allende’s talent as a gifted storyteller and keen observer of societal and political developments and their implications on the lives of different people was on display. I loved the format of the story as well - the old grandmother at a 100 years old on her deathbed recounts her life to her grandson who is a priest. Her life spans time from 1920 when a pandemic reached Chile to 2020 when another pandemic takes hold. I loved that Violeta was not a character dropped on us but one that through her retelling we are able to follow from birth to her deathbed, and she certainly saw and experienced a lot! This was a wonderful work of historical fiction - I learned quite a lot about Chilean history and was driven to google searches which I take as a good sign in my historical fiction. 
The theme of family, the one you are born into, the one you create, the friends that you can rely on in a way that makes them family, was beautifully explored.

This is a must read for historical fiction fan, but also for lovers of beautifully told literary fiction.

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse @ballantinebooks for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review !

Pertinent and hauntingly beautiful. I have loved Isabel Allende for years (even though I don't always love the choices made for her characters) and this did not disappoint. Grateful to have had the opportunity to get my hands on this one; I can already tell I will revisit this story again.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

"Violeta" is a love letter (in my opinion) written by Violeta to someone she loves dearly, Camilo. In this letter, she details 100 years of life experiences, including love, loss, natural disasters, highs and lows. Readers are taken on a journey that outlines all of the love, pain, and growth that a person can experience. From being born during a plague, the Spanish Flu. Growing up with a life of privilege...until it became a life of shame and hiding. From Miss Taylor, to Teresa Rivas, to Uncle Bruno, Torito, Aunts Pía and Pilar, and even José Antonio to her own mom and dad, Violeta gives us insight into her relationships with her family. We also see the boring love with Fabian, passionate love with Julian, and even a love later in life. I don't want to give too much of the story away, but I enjoyed the book greatly. If you love slow builds and realistic historical fiction, this is definitely the book for you. I loved it.

NOTE TO PUBLISHER:
My formal review will be posted via my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUGtqMR-gRMPoddYn9n9efw) on February 5. Additionally, I will post a review on my Bookstagram (@happilyamberafterreads) on the release date of January 25th.

This is the story of Violeta, born in 1920, amidst the Spanish flu. Violeta, who, despite her roles as daughter, student, sister, wife, business partner, lover, mother, teacher, philanthropist, grandmother, friend, and leader, remains, above all, herself. In true Allende style, this novel is beautifully written, emotionally charged, and articulately crafted. Allende transports the reader to her beloved South America, immersing us in the culture, scenery, and climate. As Violeta tells us about the ups and downs, twists and turns of her life, we travel along with her, raising her children, falling in love, fighting for change.

I have been reading Isabel Allende’s work since my early 20s. This review doesn’t begin to convey the magic that lives within the pages of her novels. She tells beautiful stories, but she does so much more than that. She inspires and enlightens, but also chastises and scolds. An Allende novel is an experience that must be felt to be understood. It’s almost as if I can hear her telling me, “Now you know. What are you going to do with the knowledge?” Violeta, like so many of Allende’s strong female characters before her, reminds me that I have a responsibility to see the world for what it is - both beautiful and ugly. Embrace and appreciate the beautiful, fight like hell against the ugly.

This book hits shelves on January 25, 2022 and I 100% recommend this and every other Allende work.

Thanks to Isabel Allende, Ballentine Books and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

This is my fifth novel by Isabel Allende and I believe this just may be my favorite of hers thus far. I love reading novels that span a person’s lifetime and Violeta is just that hype of novel.

Violeta faces much adversity during her lifetime. Her wealthy family suffers a big change in fortune, reducing them to poverty. Violeta learns to work and gradually acquires a fortune in her own right during a time when many women were dependent on men for their financial security.

She endures one lackluster marriage and then embarks on a romance full of passion, but one that is not a healthy relationship for her. From that relationship her two children are born, each having their own struggles as they grow up, much of which Violeta feels she is to blame for not being a better mother.

She was blessed with a large and loving family and also surrounded by domestic help that stayed with her for most of their lives and were part of her family as well. I loved this aspect of the story.

Readers who enjoy reading about strong women, South American culture and good historical fiction will find this one a must-read. It has romance, family strife, political turmoil and inspiration all rolled up into one amazing story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review.

Isabel Allende’s latest novel is epic, mesmerising and beautifully written with the authentic feel of a memoir. In 2020, in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic, Violeta del Valle, now 100 years old and in her last days, writes to her grandson Camilo recounting her life story. Born in Chile in 1920 during the Spanish Flu pandemic, there is a fitting inevitability that a century of war, depression, struggle, discrimination, evil, selflessness, love, loss, illness, joy, and achievement should end at another watershed moment of global catastrophe. Violeta has lived through many joyful and horrific moments, and the complex nature of life is vividly portrayed for Violeta and those she encounters. A life exquisitely captured by the events of her country and Violeta’s journey with family and loved ones. While Chile is never mentioned by name, the geography, location descriptions, and events reflect the true nature of Chile.

The story weaves compelling characters with the history of tumultuous times in Chile, through military coups, authoritarian leadership, revolts, boom and bust economic cycles, and dubious connections to spies, criminals and drug cartels. Violeta spells out the relationships with her children, brothers, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbours and the men in her life. Some partners bring her joy, others pain and abuse, but they shape this fascinating woman. Being an astute businesswoman, she had to overcome commercial issues and discrimination that prevented her from directly owning her own business or bank account. She plotted her course with her eldest brother as they grew a successful business keeping the details hidden from the authorities and others.

Isabel Allende is masterful at her characterisation, and the related details are absorbing while never letting the story’s momentum ponder into over-detail. The significant events and range of characters keep this story engrossing from beginning to end.

To capture a thought in my mind using a famous and appropriate phrase:
She loved, laughed and cried
She had her fill, her share of losing
And now, as tears subside
She finds it all so amusing
To think she did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh no, no, not her
She did it her way

A fabulously entertaining story that I would highly recommend and I want to thank my Buddy Ceecee for recommending this to me in glowing terms - you are on point as usual. I also want to thank Bloomsbury Publishing, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, and NetGalley for providing a free ARC in return for an honest review.

I absolutely was mesmerized by this one. Violeta was born in 1920 during a pandemic and died 100 years later during a pandemic. In the middle of these two book ends is a long, sweeping life.
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After five sons, Violeta is welcome with open arms to an affluent family. From the stock market crash that exiles her family to the remote part of South America, to political upheaval and every major moment in between, Violeta’s life was a life well lived. She’s writing the details of her life on her death bed and she leaves no detail unsaid, the good, the bad and at times devastating.
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She documents the rise and fall of tyrants and her unending fight for women’s rights. I adored her, flaws and all, and felt like she was a real person.
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I adored this one. If you enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo this one is for you.
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Thank you @prhaudio for this wonderful audiobook.

Love this book so much Isabelle Allende has a way of writing stories that made you feel like you're walking in a movie set and you get to see every scene and get to know each character inside out. making you feel part of the story and the characters this was the case of Violeta very strong determined woman who suffered so much, abuse betrayal, and many other things that made her into the woman that she was.

Violeta was an amazing heroine, at the beginning I was a little mad that she was willing to let these men treat her that way, but she was living in an era where women didn't have any right at all and were constantly mistreated, hurt and even raped and murdered. These were times were Violeta was more determined to help all the women being abused.

Many of the great characters that we get to meet during the course of the book are fantastic and make this book even more magical, like nieves, Felipe, Etelvina, Camilo, Juan Martin, Torito, Herald, and many more.

Torito was one of my favorites because he really expanded true kindness and love to everybody around.

Violeta was a character that inspired so much, I felt like even the other characters were always in awe of her and her strong-willed determination towards life in general.

This is the story of Violeta and Camilo she wrote his story so he could understand and learn what happened till this point in his life.

Many great things to say about this book and the great characters, so many great views about what was happening during all those years during WWll but overall Violeta was amazing as a story and also as a character.

Thank you Random House Publishing and Netgalley.

Isabel Allende never misses.

Truly, she can write a grocery list, and I would buy it. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this novel, but I will definitely be buying this novel not only to reread but also because the cover is beautiful.
Violeta is writing to her grandson about her life, starting and ending with a pandemic. Her’s life is shaped by disease, poverty, hope, loss, revolution, but most of all, love. Through it all, she has a matter-of-fact tone that she keeps despite all many life-changing events. Violet is an extremely flawed woman with a penchant for wrong decisions, and while I occasionally wanted to shake her, I never wanted to put the book down.
Allende knows her strengths, family histories, and this novel feels like one of her best. She does not shy away from tough topics and gives an unflinching view of political and personal upheaval.

"There’s a time to live and a time to die. In between there’s time to remember." -Isabel Allende

Violeta is near the end of her life. She writes a letter to a loved one because she wants to tell him the history behind her very interesting life. Violeta came into the world as the only girl of six children. She was born at the beginning of the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1920. Since that time, she has lived a very full existence. At almost 100 years old, she holds nothing back in this raw account of family, love, loss, finances, infidelity, political unrest, heartbreak, and triumph.

This book is extrodinary! The writing immensely held my attention. I felt as if I was reading a letter from a personal family member. The emotional story is a vivid account of events so descriptive the reader can picture it as they read. I highly recommend this novel to all historical fiction lovers. Even the book cover is gorgeous! "Violeta" will be published January 25, 2022

This is a remarkable book by the extremely talented Isabel Allende!
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for the great pleasure of reviewing this e-book. I really appreciate the work you do!

I was really excited to receive this book, as I've enjoyed Allende's work in the past. Ultimately, while the writing was as lovely as I've come to expect from Allende, I couldn't form a significant connection to this story or any of its characters.

Part of the potential issue with the book is just how much time it's trying to cover, while not allowing for much depth with specific storylines. I've appreciated grand family epics in the past, so I'm not completely sure what set this one apart, but in comparison to something like The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina, I felt that the narrative voice was somewhat lacking. In that book, even though Orquidea is a mystical character with unknown powers, she still rings through as human and as *true*

However, the writing, as ever is lovely, and Allende has a gift for showing difficult situations with beauty and grace while never doing a disservice to the seriousness of the situations themselves. I think this may be a case of wrong book, wrong reader, but I simply felt primarily unmoved.

I love Isabel Allende. This book continues her long line of exceptional books. This is the life story of Violeta Del Valle, the only girl in a family of 5 brothers. In her letter, she’s honest about her failings and successes and beautifully describes the many important relationships she had throughout her life. She experienced extreme wealth and poverty, lived through a dictatorship, abusive relationships, and so many disappointments. And while her life was difficult at many points, she also experienced so much love and passion, independent business success, devoted friendships, and a loyal life partner. I felt like she was a real person and this was a real life story she was relaying.

Violeta (English Edition)
by Isabel Allende
Pub Date: January 25, 2022
Ballantine
* Historical Fiction * Magical Realism * cultural * Feminism
“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”.
Setting : Chile
Violeta Del Valle now 100, writes to her much loved grandson Camilo and tells him the story of her incredible life. Violeta was born in 1920 in the midst of the Spanish Flu epidemic which like everywhere else ravages Chile and she will die in 2020 during the Coronavirus pandemic, a strangely symmetrical coincidence of a life circle completed. It’s an amazing story of riches to rags following the 1929 Wall Street Crash and her family’s exile from the capital to Nahuel in the south of Chile where she blossoms. She tells of her loves and losses, her marriages, her passionate affairs one of which has a brutal element to it but which gave her children and her grandson Camilo, ‘her greatest love’. It charts her success as an astute business woman, we view women’s rights, political rights through which there’s a snapshot of Chile’s dramatic changes which have been well documented in her books and in others. The historical context is superb, it’s written with real clarity. I loved this book and will be recommending it. 5 stars

The premise for this is so intriguing, but I found the narration a bit disconnected. Because of this, I didn’t feel the passion and devastation like I wanted to.
That being said, Allende is obviously talented and I will always read her novels.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for sharing this digital copy with me in exchange for my honest review.

I know I will be in the minority with my opinions here. I desperately, desperately wanted to love this book. It is my first novel by Allende, although several other of her novels are high up on my list of To-Be-Read.

I suppose some of the disappointment was my own, as the content and writing style of the novel didn't match what I had expected from reading the synopsis -- the words "epic" and "sweeping" gave me higher expectations than what I feel the novel delivered. The story was structured as letters from Violeta to her grandson after a lifetime of experiences - and while I was excited about this format, I feel like the delivery fell flat. I was expecting more dialogue but this was written more as a historical timeline/a summary of events. Due to this, I found the story became tedious. As far as the plot was concerned, there simply wasn't enough intrigue to keep me engaged throughout the book.

Another great story by Isabel Allende. The research and historical events discussed in thus book are amazing and the way the writer presents us Violeta is magical! I would never get tired of Allende's writing style.

Violeta deValle was born during the Spanish flu pandemic in 1920 and died during the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Her century on Earth is filled with extremes like the circumstances of her birth and death.

The youngest of six and the only daughter, Violeta was born to wealth, though as the Great Depression proved it was more of a façade of wealth. After making it through the Great War and the Spanish flu, her family was reduced to poverty when America’s depression reaches the soil of South America. Exiled to the country and away from society, Violeta found her true home.

Her ability to fit in just about any situation proved fruitful throughout her life. She married multiple times with both a bad husband and a good one. She worked for her family and for herself when women didn’t have that kind of independence. She saw the ethical and unethical (including the mafia) sides of business. She lived in a democracy, through a dictatorship and back to a democracy She was a less than great mother and a wonderful mother. She was vain and also incredibly generous. Violeta’s life was a one-hundred-year roller coaster and incredibly interesting to read.

Written in the form of a letter, the reader can picture a spunky centenarian laying everything out—the good, the bad, and the ugly in the final days of her life. Violeta comes out on January 25th and if you are a fan of historical fiction, I recommend picking this one up. Thank you to Netgalley, Ballatine Books, and of course Isabel Allende for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.