What can I say? In my mind and heart Allende can do no wrong..she has been a fav of mine for nearly 20 years. Her lyrical prose and ability to create a movie in your mind - no matter the story or genre - remains her calling card and why everyone should have a few Allende books on their TBR list. Even when translated the magic of her worlds seeps through and takes the reader some place they didn't know they were going but would never want to leave.

A beautiful tale of a womans life that spans 100 years in the form of a letter to a loved one. She begins at her birth, telling the background of her family, their home and business. In the middle she shares her career, relationships, politics, family dramas, etc. She ends on her deathbed as she reflects back on things and moments she is grateful for.

Violeta is quite the feminist which almost didn’t fit in with the time period in my time frame of mind…She addresses how women couldn’t own a house, or have their own bank account, but that over time things shifted for women. I did appreciate the recognition of the problems women have faced in a mans world…but she really pushed what almost felt like an agenda.

One thing is true-Allende has a knack for words and writing! I do love reading her books. They flow with meaning and passion that I feel from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advance e-copy in return for my review.

This wonderful book is written in the form of a farewell message or "testimony " by the title charachter to her beloved grandson Camilo. It is the story of spanning a hundred years encompassing the tumultuous life of both Violeta and Chile her country. I came to love this charachter. She has a dry, understated tone that serves to underline her passion when it emerges. Violeta is an engaging and brutally honest narrator and I found myself spending every spare minute with her until I reached the end of her story.

The story begins with Violeta's birth in the midst of the Spanish Flu epidemic. She is the coddled youngest child of a well to do businessman, taken care of by Miss Taylor, her English nanny. The family's world turns upside down as a result of the world wide financial collapse of the Great Depression. They seek refuge in Santa Clara, a town in the outermost reaches of Chile and are saved and succored by those who have very little themselves. As the story progresses the setting expands over the rest of Chile, to the US and to Europe. Always though, this little town and its people are a touchstone for Violetta.

Violeta's story is populated with strong women who persevere despite existing in a society where they have few rights.; they are little more than chattel, not being able to own their own property, have control over their bodies or do work for which their talents are suited. In every aspect of her long life Violeta moves beyond these restraints. She is a talented in business and accepts no societal restraints on what she does with her body or with whom. The other charachters are also imbued with strength and bravery. Make no mistake, this is a story about women and about feminism. The male charachters do not suffer as a result. They, with few exceptions, are portrayed as good, honorable people. Men are not the enemy here, the enemy is machismo.

I am extremely grateful to the publisher and to Netgalley for being given an advanced copy of this exceptional book.

I love Allende’s multigenerational stories where historical events and after math of those are embedded in the story. This is a story of Violeta and her hard to believe life as told by her to her grandson to make sure that he never forgets where she came from, what was her parents’ legacy and struggles they faced, where he came from and who his parents were, and how pandemics, coups, religion, relationships shaped their lives to make it what it is today.

Violeta was born into a very prominent family during Spanish flu pandemic. She was the only daughter after 5 boys and she was spoiled rotten until things started slip under her family’s feet. She had to move to this farm far away from her natural habitat only to discover herself, her passion, her needs, and her weaknesses. Her whirlwind of a life took her from lover to lover, country to country, and role to role. But her most important role was to be mother, father and grandmother to her grandson who was perfect, yet troubling, mixture of everyone in her life.

In this book, you don’t only read about how Violeta evolved into 100 year old women that she was today, but you read about a country and what it could do its people. I always loved Allende’s storytelling and this book delivers nothing less. If you are a Wonsan, be prepared to feel empowered.

Suc( a wonderful book. Written as a series of letters to her grandson, the narrator describes her 100 years of life - the struggles, accomplishments, sorrow and joy. I learned a lot about South America. The narrator’s passion for life never wanes, even as she accepts her death. The beautifully written prose transports the reader easily through the story. I didn’t want it to end!

Learning about other cultures is one of the best reasons to read so this book is a gem! It follows one woman’s amazing life in Chile from 1920 to 2020 including 2 pandemics, political upheaval, WWII German immigrants, and the coming of age of “women’s” issues like abortion, voting rights, and domestic violence. Not to be overlooked are more personal issues like drug use, religion, and lots of passion. Written as a letter to her grandson, this novel is a personal account of a century of life and change—easy to read and filled with love and caring.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC to read and review.

History, culture, and women of depth are a few of the poignant concepts we have come to recognize and love from Isabel Allende’s novels, and Violeta is no exception. Minuscule hints of magical realism are present, blink, and you’ll miss them, but they're there. In Violeta, readers take part in Violeta’s 100-year life bookended by historically marked moments, the Spanish flu, and the Coronavirus pandemics. Reminiscent of Paula, Violeta has written an extensively detailed letter to a loved one. A loved one we come to learn later on is her grandson. I was slightly annoyed by that at first. I wanted to know who this person was and why was he deserving of all these details? From her daughter's atrocious behavior to the history of her lovers, Violeta bared all, and these aren't details you share with just anyone.

For me, the story started slow. When Violeta talks about the Spanish flu, my first thought was: "oh no, Allende is jumping on the pandemic bandwagon." It's not the first story I've read, read about, or seen that addresses the pandemic as part of the storyline. But it's just one of the backdrops in Violeta; once I realized it, I felt better about the book. As the story progressed, I was involved and intrigued. I noticed parallels to both Paula and A Long Petal of the Sea but Violeta's voice takes over, and a somewhat clueless woman evolves into a woman of worth. While we know where the story takes place (Chile, duh!), Violeta could be a woman in any Latin American country. A woman who lived in a country that has faced war, political turmoil, dictatorships, and this pesky thing called machismo. She plays it smart when it comes to money, but that was a lesson she learned the hard way.

"The fairy tale that all humans are equal before the law and in the eyes of God is a lie, Camilo. I hope you don't buy into it. Neither the law nor God treats everyone the same. That is especially obvious in this country." I think this line could be a gut punch to any religious devotee, regardless of your religion. Applicable to any country, not just those in Latin America, and applicable to any point in history. It's phrases like these that made me think Violeta was more than just another story about a common woman. A woman considered the everyday woman who watched, learned and grew with each generation. It's significant also that she shares this statement with a priest. This was one of those moments in the book I wished Allende would have given Camilo a voice. What reaction would he have given? Would he have given his opinion as a priest or as a family member? Violeta saw how things changed, but also how so many things stayed the same. And when you give things enough time (100 years), history is bound to repeat itself.

Written in the beautiful prose we know to love and expect from Isabel Allende. Violeta is 100 years in the life of a South American woman. Starting from her birth during the 1920 pandemic and continuing to her death entering another pandemic, Violeta recounts the story of her life to Camilo. You don't know the relationship to this person until halfway through the story, so I won't spoil it here. Violeta is a strong woman who recovers from family tragedy, loves and losses. Overlaying her story is the story of South America, communism, democracy, and US involvement in supporting and overthrowing governments. Violeta is joined by an interesting cast of characters, especially her nanny who remains a part of the family for her entire life. You will be amazed at Violeta's strength, impressed by her business acumen, and angry at some of the poor choices she makes in love. It's a beautifully written story and I loved every word of it, although I didn't love everything that happened.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A marvelous sweeping saga of South America and the upheavals of both the country and its people in the 1800's and 1900's. It cover shte flip flops in Government from democracy to dictatorship and back again and it's effect on society from the abject poor to the middle and upper classes. Allende's beautiful prose style draws you into the story and makes you care about the characters. A very satisfying story.

Violeta by Isabel Allende comes from the point of view as Violeta a young child of the elite in Chile.
Only daughter in large family socialite family roles take a different turn. However life takes on a different turn throughout the years of Violeta. When it comes from growing up its always a different change and obstacle.
Violeta meets new people and runs into old friends. Political climate changes constantly and so does relationships. So do socioeconomic circumstances as readers we go throughout the years of Violeta's life. The book yanks at your emotions and sometimes you just can't believe your eyes at what you just read. You feel empathy, sadness, happiness and sometimes horror. However overall its an amazing book and the writing is strong as always.

It does time hop over Violeta's life and also it is written to Camilo ( a character)

This book was such an amazing chance to read and review. Check it out January 25 2022, you won't be disappointed!

Violeta is a beautiful, moving novel that speaks to the heart in a way that only Allende's novels can. While fictional, this book reads like an intricate memoir which follows Violeta through the milestones of her life in South America. Timely in that Violeta's life began during a pandemic and also ended at the time of another (spanning 100 years), the characters and setting are rich with detail and emotion. Beautifully written and gives a great amount of detail to really bring the reader into the story. I really enjoyed this book!

I was unable to get to this beautiful novel but I do plan on purchasing it. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and thr synopsis has my attention

An amazing story that truly transports one into the story from an as-if perspective. Written with beautiful literary prose as only Ms. Allende can.

This is the gracefully told story of Violeta, and her journey through every stage of her life. From her first steps until her last dying breath, I was mesmerized from the start. An epic journey through time and change for the country, you get to experience every moment of Violeta’s life through her eyes.

I really liked the way this story was told in the form of letters written to Camilo, her grandson. It was written beautifully and having the book be divided into four time period made it easy to follow. I fell in love with each and every characters in the book and was heart broken by each of their deaths. This book had it all: feminism, politics, romance and drama. Truly an enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. What a beautiful, sweeping and timely story! I was happy not to be on a library deadline to finish it because it is truly a book worth taking one’s time to enjoy. Loved it.

This was such a detailed and compelling read. Following Violeta’s journey through her life really showed the true meaning of life. We saw her high and low moments, her connections and struggles with friends and family, and we saw her reflect and adapt throughout everything.

I really love historical fiction because I feel like I am constantly learning new things. I learned so much from reading this story. It starts in a pandemic in 1920 and it ends in 2020, and there were so many haunting events that took place in between.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC!

I love Isabel Allende's writing. I don't know how she does it, she sweeps you into the lives of her characters and you begin to feel like you know them and are right there experiencing the story with her. This is a beautifully written saga covering 100 years, 1920 to 2020. We follow the life of Violeta writing her story to give to her grandson.. I highly recommend.
I have read several of this authors books, each one has been well researched and tells a gorgeous tale.
I thank Random House and NetGalley for an ARC. High 5 stars!!

I first fell in love with Isabel Allende's work when I read House of Spirits as a senior in high school. It was my favorite novel assigned throughout high school and I even read it again in college as a choice. This was reminiscent of that novel. While House of Spirits captivated me with the way both past, present, and future haunt us - Violeta was a more concrete story. Violeta was a woman before her time; and she forged her path ahead as a woman who was not afraid to be smart, and in some instances selfish. She also wasn't afraid, upon reflection, to admit that there were mistakes in her past. Violeta's story was both beautiful, tragic, and triumphant. Her journey took us from lows to highs and back again, simultaneously exploring the decades she lived in, social class, business, and political paradigms, all while still maintaining Violeta's personal story and connection with the reader. As always, I am left a little heartbroken, a little breathless, and heavy with emotion when I finish Isabel Allende's works.

While this is a slow paced book, the author does an amazing job of setting the scene, and detailing Violeta’s emotions throughout her life. I preferred the first half, where it details her family’s downfall and ultimate exile, more than the second half of her older adult life, which is where is really slowed down for me. I wish there was more dialogue between characters, instead of Violeta just describing everything that happened in big blocks of text.

As with any historical fiction, I appreciate the research that went into it, as there were lots of historical details and events that are mentioned.

If I had to rate this book, I would give it a solid 3, maybe 3.5

My expectations were high, and I am happy to say they were met. Such strong female characters are a staple of this author and she seldom disappoints. Women of color are only now seeing more frequent representations, and this is a welcome contribution. The story itself was wonderfully layered and held my interest. The unfolding development of the principal players was convincing. I was reminded of some of her other novels with strong women, Ines of My Soul, and The House of Spirits. I would highly recommend this novel.