We all have our beginnings.

With this in mind, Isabel Allende takes to the page with what she certainly does best.......storytelling in its purest form. If you've ever read Allende before, you know how she can weave patterns into the lives of her characters and then settle them into questionable actions and reactions.

Molly Walsh stood with firm feet in the spirituality of her calling. It's 1866 in San Francisco and all Molly ever wanted was to become a nun. She was due to take her final vows. That is until Molly came face-to-face with a certain handsome Chilean aristocrat boasting promises lined with roses. Thereafter, Molly was left with broken vows and a child on the way.

Enter Emilia del Valle, Molly's daughter. Molly provided for Emilia as best as she could. Emilia grew to be a headstrong and confident young woman. It was Emilia's stepfather who provided her with maps and literature and opened the world to her. Emilia decides to leave home and venture sinto New York City. It's here that she applies for a journalist job at The Daily Examiner.

And with that, Emilia is sent to Chile as a war correspondent alongside Eric Whelan. Allende brings the story to life as Emilia tries to acclimate herself to a country torn in two by the ways of the past colliding with the revolution gazing at the promises of the future. Allende knows her Chilean history alongside her incredible research.

We'll travel through fields of the wounded and the sharp realization of so many casualities. It's the armed women who tended to these individuals tettering between life and death. And throughout, we experience the roles of women relegated to the lower tiers of society. Emilia's direct contact with these women set her own solid impressions and reporting of the brutalities of this war.

My Name Is Emilia Del Valle reflects a constant search for identity. Emilia tries to frame herself into the expectations of her mother while grasping for a sense of what is her own composite of self. It's a splendid experience for both lover of history and lover of the written word. Isabel Allende leaves no part of your soul untouched.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley foran honest review. My thanks to Random House and to the talented Isabel Allende for the opportunity.

4 stars for a historical fiction book about a civil war in Chile in 1891. The author was born in Peru and raised in Chile. She now lives in the US. I have read and enjoyed two of her previous books. The protagonist is Emilia del Valle Claro. She establishes herself as an author under the pen name Brandon J. Price, first writing dime novels and then getting hired as a newspaper columnist. The editor agrees to send her and 1 other reporter, Eric Whelan, to Chile, to cover the civil war.
There was an actual civil war in Chile in 1891 and many of the events and persons in the book are actual historical figures, including the Chilean President, José Manuel Emiliano Balmaceda Fernández.
The war arose out of a dispute between the Chilean Congress and Balmaceda over who he could appoint to his cabinet. The army sided with the President and the navy supported the Congress.
The forces supporting the Congress won and there was a massacre of the President's supporters. Emilia participates in one of the battles as a nurse, while writing articles critical of the rebels from the Congress.
There are descriptions of people being killed in battles and in the massacre, but not overly graphic.
One quote by Emilia: "I no longer know what I witnessed and how much I only imagined; it is all a jumbled confusion of horror in my memory. I had never seen violence and death up close--nothing in my twenty-five years of existence had prepared me for so much barbarism, so much suffering."
The translation was excellent.
Thank you Amy Jackson at Random House Publishing Group for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#MyNameIsEmiliadelValle #NetGalley

Pub Date May 06 2025

Emilia grows up in San Francisco in the late 1800s. Not one to conform to society, Emilia begins to write dime novels under a male pseudonym. She eventually gets hired by a newspaper to write human interest stories. When a civil war in Chile breaks out, she convinces her editor and parents to let her travel to Chile to accompany another corespondent, Eric, to cover the war. At the request of her mother, Emilia is also in search of her birth father she never knew who is believed to have returned to Chile.

I enjoyed learning about the Chilean civil war, which I knew nothing about. I admired Emilia’s determination and fortitude. I enjoyed journeying along with her as she traveled and also grew as a person. As usual, Allende writes a beautiful story.

If you enjoy historical fiction, a strong female character, or are a fan of Isabel Allende, then I would recommend this book.

My Name Is Emilia del Valle is a deep exploration of self-discovery, set against the vivid backdrop of 19th-century societal constraints and the turbulence of the Chilean Civil War. While the historical setting and Allende's characteristic attention to detail provide rich texture to the narrative, the real heart of the story lies in Emilia's personal journey. We should all journey like Emilia to truly find ourselves at least once in our life. Her determination to defy convention and carve out her identity is inspiring, and her growth resonates deeply, culminating in an ending that feels both satisfying and hopeful. Though I found the timeline and pacing occasionally challenging, the story's message—that we must all embark on our own journeys of self-understanding—left a lasting impression. This novel is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to confront both the external forces and inner truths that shape our destinies.

My Name is Emilai Del Valle
In the mid 1860s, Emilia’s mother, Molly Walsh, was training to be a nun when she was seduced by a young Chilean aristocrat visiting San Francisco. After Molly told him of her condition, he disappeared. Molly married a co-worker who adopted Emilia and raised her.
In an effort to earn money, Emilia later started writing short books under a pseudonym. When she decided to write for the San Francisco Examiner, she retained the pseudonym. However when a civil war broke out in Chile, Emilia got permission to travel there with a male reporter and write human interest stories under her own name.
The brutal war ranged on during her visit but she was able to meet her real father and be acknowledged by him on his death bed.
This historical fiction book is written from the point of view of Emilia. It has many brutal descriptions of the war and its victims. The author is from Chile and wrote a fictitious story about a real war that took place in the 1891. The war was between the President of Chile who was backed by European interests and the Congress which had the support of the Chilean people.
This book was interesting but I found the descriptions of the war and its victims to be very graphic. I have read and enjoyed several other books by Allende.
I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Ballantine for the eARC!

This is a beautiful, coming-of-age story of a young woman defying the norms of late 1800s society to chase her dreams. Emilia del Valle has known from a young age that her father is a mysterious Chilean man who, after a brief tryst with her mother, disappeared and has refused to acknowledge her existence. Her mother's obsession with getting him to recognize his daughter has not leaked into Emilia, who is perfectly happy with her stepfather, Papo, and has no real desire to find her real father. Through the support of her mother and stepfather, she grows into a strong-willed, independent woman, gets herself hired as a journalist at a reputable newspaper, travels alone on a train to New York to write character pieces, and then travels to Chile to cover the civil war there - all things that were considered, at best, improper for a young, single woman at the time. But Emilia doesn't take no for an answer and consistently asserts herself as just as capable of any man. While in Chile, she covers the war (despite being told by her editor to let her male counterpart handle the war pieces, while she was just to handle the character pieces), and gets far more personally involved than she originally intended to. Through several months of living in and reporting on this war-torn country, she learns more about herself, her father, and what she wants her future to be.

This is only the second Allende book I've read after The House of the Spirits, and I once again enjoyed her lyrical writing and storytelling. It was nice to read about the depictions of 1800s era San Francisco, a place I lived myself for a few years. I also liked the chance to read about a period of history - the Chilean Civil War of 1891 - that I previously knew little about. She deftly wove together Emilia's story against this backdrop in the format of a personal memoir that Emilia is writing herself, giving us insight into her thoughts and feelings. Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to any fellow historical fiction lovers.

This book starts out strong with the type of narrative we’ve come to expect from Isabel Allende. We meet a colorful cast of characters including some very strong women - a trademark of Allende’s writing. The story is interesting and captivating - until the focus shifts to Chile and its civil war of 1891. The pace of the story shifts, and we are faced with what seem to be interminable descriptions of the government, the military, and battles. After this, the book never regains the beauty and joy of its opening chapters.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t typically gravitate toward historical fiction, but I’ve been in a season of branching out more into the genre—and I’m so glad I did. I love a story about a woman discovering her roots and reconnecting with her father. With glimpses of San Francisco history, war, and emotional family encounters, this book offered a bit of everything.

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for this arc!

Imagining a woman trying to break into a traditionally male job of news reporter provided the most interest for me. The steps she had to agree to in order to be published were silly by today’s standards. But the biggest part of the novel concerned the Chilean civil war where so many incidents seemed unlikely. Somehow the ending didn’t really seem plausible to me either. As usual, the writing is beautifully poetic with descriptions of both place and people well written.

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

I loved the beginning of this book. The characters, pacing, and plot drew me in. But then Emilia went off to cover the Chilean revolution and I lost interest. The novel is well written, and I wouldn’t hesitate to dig into another work by this author. But this one wasn’t for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm hovering between a 3 and a 4 for this book.

While the historical aspects, childhood background, and immersion are masterfully done in this book, it lost me with a major disconnect from the character of Emilia. She feels so distant from herself, which is the weirdest thing in a first-person narrative. A lot of the emotional and romantic instances come across as merely words on a page, providing just an outline of the emotions the characters should be feeling. I felt more connected to Emilia's parents' story than to her, but that just demonstrates the masterful writing in the first half of the book, particularly in relation to her background. The standout element in the first half is the growth of the protagonist- her mistakes, whether well-intentioned or not, and her progress- something that many "strong female protagonist" novels throw out the window to simulate her strength. In the second half, the Chilean civil war is incredibly well-described: immersive and haunting in its depiction of war and Emilia's experiences, showcasing the author's true writing talent. The ending significantly redeems the disjointed writing, adding many more layers to Emilia's character, and feels reminiscent of a certain beloved character from Where the Crawdads Sing. Wait, was I baited into liking this book?

I'd recommend this to people who enjoy strong-willed, opinionated female protagonists and well-researched historical fiction. I think this is the kind of book I might sit with and perhaps rate higher than I currently do: 3.5 rounded up.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC!

Wonderfully written historical novel depicting a strong female character and her quest for recognition both as a writer and as the daughter of a Chilean man who abandoned her and her mother. Emilia was raised by her Irish mother, Molly, and her step-father Francisco Claro (don Pancho). As a school teacher, Claro raised Emilia to be both well-educated and independent, encouraging her desire and abilities to be a writer. At the same time, Molly continually stressed to her daughter a "woman's place", and her own personal desire that Emilia be recognized by her biological father. Emilia had to begin her writing career using a male pen name, as women writers were not recognized yet by publishers. While writing social articles for a newspaper, a war in Chile begins, and Emilia and another reporter, Eric, are sent to cover it. The history that is covered regarding the war is not necessarily well-known and was interesting to learn through the eyes of two reporters, both covering different aspects of the conflict. This also gives Emilia the opportunity to meet her birth father and his family. The unfolding stories of the war, her Chilean family, and romance with Eric lead to a story that is heartbreaking, hopeful, and eye-opening to both the reader and Emilia. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #MyNameisEmiliadelValle

4.5 rounded up. I love Isabel Allende's writing style. When I saw she had another book coming out, I had to get my hands on it and start reading it asap. What a great heartfelt story of such a courageous independent woman. Emilia del Valle goes on an adventurous journey to find her roots in Chile while working as a journalist during a war. So much happens to her while she is there and we as the readers get to go along with her and grow with her. I loved the ending. I highly recommend giving this one a read if you enjoy a strong woman character and like historical fiction.


Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

My Name is Emilia del Valle is a historical fiction novel that carries the distinctive voice of Isabel Allende. Beautifully written, the story follows Emilia, the illegitimate daughter of a former novice and an aristocratic Chilean. She has never met her biological father—in fact, she has another father figure who, though not related by blood, has lovingly raised her as his own.

Emilia has had a gift for writing since a young age. She eventually becomes a newspaper columnist and is given the opportunity to travel to Chile to report on the civil war. The war is devastating, and she experiences it firsthand—those parts of the book really resonated with me.

What begins as a professional assignment quickly turns into a deeply personal journey, as she not only uncovers her hidden roots but also discovers a new version of herself. Emilia is a vivid, authentic character: a strong woman navigating a man’s world, determined to defy societal expectations for an unmarried young lady. She pushes boundaries until she emerges on the other side, and I loved her for that.

Thank you NetGalley & Ballantine for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

My Name is Emilia del Valle is a historical fiction that read like an actual excerpt from a history book. It follows the life of fictional Emilia, daughter to an Irish mother preparing to take her vows and a Chilean gentleman after one fateful night together. Emilia is raised by her mother and step-father, abandoned by the father who refused to acknowledge her existence. She grows up a curious child and even more inquisitive woman, establishing herself as a write under a pseudonym and eventually secures a position as a journalist. When news of the Chilean civil war reaches her in San Francisco, she and her colleague, Eric Whelan, venture out to report on the conflict.

This is an inspiring story of self-discovery, the horrors of war, political intrigue, and love. As I mentioned, it reads like a history lesson which I think lended to its credibility, but at times did fall flat in terms of emotional impact. However, Emilia is such an admirable and independent main character it was difficult not to be inspired by her passion and determination. Her disdain for religion and any kind of social leash that would corral her into a specific category of woman was refreshing for someone of her time. It had me wishing she was an actual historical figure that I could research and hyperfixate on later. The first part of the book is a quick and wholesome look at her upbringing, and it decidedly picks up momentum when Emilia journeys to Chile to report on the war. At times, Allende's insightful commentary of the civil war made me think of the political turmoil we now face in the US, and how violence and war bring out the worst in humanity. Yet underneath the ugliness that is the face of violence, Allende always reminds us that love can always see us through.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC!

This book showcases incredibly detailed and powerful writing that truly brings scenes and emotions to life. The author’s command of language is impressive, making even small moments feel vivid and meaningful. However, the pacing at times felt sluggish, with several sections dragging or meandering without a clear direction.

Overall, it’s a beautifully written novel, but one that requires patience as it slowly unfolds its story.

Allende is a master storyteller and she has done it again. Born in 1866 in San Francisco to a Catholic nun who was seduced by a Chilean aristocrat who left her to fend for herself, Emilia is an adventurous young woman, who had a loving stepfather who always encouraged her. At 17 she starts to publish popular pulp fiction under a man’s name (women cannot be authors!). A few years later she turns to journalism and is hired by the Daily Examiner and paired with a talented journalist, Eric Whelan, and sent to Chile to cover that country’s civil war. She is nearly killed in the war but also meets her estranged father, who acknowledges her as his daughter, falls in love with Eric, and finds peace in the land of her Chilean ancestors. Emilia is an unforgettable character whose strength and courage fills the pages of this book.

If you like to read about a strong female character combined with a pivotal time in history, this is one book you won’t want to miss. Emilia del Valle is the illegitimate child of a former nun and a Chilean aristocrat. She knows nothing of her father other than his name and country of origin.

Fortunately for Emilia, she was raised by a wonderful father that encouraged her education and independence. It’s the late 1800’s and Emilia is already a published author and a columnist for a newspaper, although she works under a man’s name.

When Emilia and another colleague are given the opportunity to travel to Chile to cover the civil war, Emilia sees it as an opportunity to find and meet her father. What she doesn’t realize when she arrives in Chile is that this journey will be a turning point in her life and one that leads to self discovery of who she is and where she belongs.

The story tells much about the civil war and people who played a part during that time. Allende does not sugarcoat the horrors of war and its impact on the people in Chile. Allende also relates the beauty of Chile and their customs and beliefs throughout the story.

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

Really liked this premise but I found it dragged and was pretty boring. Also did not love the ending.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Isabel Allende has a new book coming out in May, My Name is Emilia del Valle. I’ve only read one other book by this author, Violeta, and this one reminds me of that. Both books are set largely in Chile and are structured with a feisty female protagonist looking back and recounting her life story. I had a similar reaction to this story as to the last. It’s a fascinating tale, giving me insight into a period of time and a country that I know next to nothing about. The prose is lovely, especially when describing the beauty of Chile. However, I feel distanced from the narrative. I’m interested in what is going on, but don’t ever feel emotionally drawn in by the characters.

Emilia is brought up in San Francisco in the post- Civil War years. She is the illegitimate daughter of an Irish almost-nun and a Chilean playboy. He abandons mother and child. Emilia’s mother marries a teacher who showers them both with kindness and love.

Emilia wants to be a writer. She moves from writing dime novels under a male pseudonym to journalism, although the editor of the newspaper only wants her to write human interest stories. She is befriended by another staff writer, Eric, who helps her learn the ropes and supports her as she branches out into more substantive journalism. When the Chilean civil war breaks out, she and Eric are sent to Chile. She is to write about the government’s stance, and Eric is to write about the rebels.

The novel takes us deep into the politics and violence of the civil war of 1891. By showing both sides, through what Emilia and Eric discover, each with their own bias, the reader gets a more multidimensional view of what took place–in all its seeming futility.

At the same time, Emilia hunts down her birth father and her extended family in Chile. Emilia learns about family, identity, and love in the midst of and in the aftermath of the brutal conflict.