Publication Date May 5, 2025

“My Name is Emilia del Valle” was such an engrossing historical fiction novel by one of my favorite authors for so many years, Isabel Allende. I found myself immersed in this beautiful saga where in 1866 an Irish nun gives birth to a daughter named Emilia del Valle after being abandoned following a relationship with a Chilean aristocrat. But Emilia is raised by a loving stepfather fostering in her independent thinking. It is because of this that this fiercely independent woman turns to journalism convincing ‘The Daily Examiner’ to hire her. It is at that point that she is paired with another equally talented reporter, Eric Whelan. As the civil war in Chile simmers, both reporters gravitate to the action. But it is here that Emilia del Valle meets her father and begins to explore her roots as the war escalates and she begins to fall in love with Eric. As the saga continues one appreciates the storytelling gifts of Isabel Allende as well as her beautiful and poetic prose.

A special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced readers copy.

Skillfully written with beautiful prose, this historical fiction novel is written as an autobiography of an unconventional young woman. Emilia del Valle is a writer and newspaper journalist. An assignment to Chile to cover the 1891 Civil War also gives her an opportunity to meet her biological father. The coverage of the Civil War was an easy-to-follow history lesson about this brutal power struggle. The characters in this novel seemed alive, and the vivid descriptions of the landscape make me want to travel to Chile. I can see why Isabel Allende is a respected author.

Thank you, Random House, Ballantine, and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book. Isabel Allende hits it out of the park again. A story of a woman taking her life by the horns and making it her own. I was intrigued from the start and it did not let me go until the end. There is a vast cast of characters that are so well written. I leave this book still a huge fan of Isabel and her works. I read a NetGalley copy of this book.

Don’t you love a story about a strong, independent woman ahead of her time? Take Emilia del Valle—a young writer who, in the late 1800s in San Francisco, convinces a newspaper editor to let her cover the war brewing in Chile. Cherished author Isabelle Allende brings Emilia, the time period, the location, and the war into vivid focus with this novel.

There are conflicts galore involving themes of self-discovery, women's roles, risk-taking, identity, love, and family. Emilia’s ambition and restlessness are contagious. You’ll want to see where her courage takes her and if she compromises along the way. There were times I got a bit bogged down in the details of Chile’s civil war, but if you love history, you’ll love that this book is chockful of facts. Allende paints a portrait not only of an interesting protagonist but also of an often-overlooked piece of our world’s identity.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advance review copy of this novel.

Beautiful writing felt like I was in the story with the connection the author gives you to the characters. I loved this book. The writing is so vivid that it makes the book fly by and when you get to the end your ready to jump back in.

In My Name is Emilia Del Valle, Isabel Allende once again proves her mastery of historical fiction, crafting a story that is both sweeping in scope and intimate in its emotional depth. Set in the 19th century, the novel follows Emilia Del Valle, a headstrong young woman whose ambitions for a career and worldly experiences defy the rigid conventions of her time. Her determination, coupled with an unquenchable curiosity, makes her an irresistible protagonist.

The narrative takes Emilia from San Francisco to Chile, where she reports on the chaos of a civil war while secretly investigating her own family’s mysteries. Allende vividly captures the era, immersing readers in its political turbulence and societal constraints, while Emilia’s journey crackles with danger, romance, and discovery. The landscapes are as vivid as the emotions, with Allende’s signature lyrical prose breathing life into every setting.

At its heart, this is a novel about resilience, self-discovery, and forging identity against the odds. Particularly moving is Emilia’s bond with her stepfather, whose unwavering support underscores the novel’s exploration of familial love.

A tapestry of adventure, war, and human connection, My Name is Emilia Del Valle is another triumph from Allende, as captivating as it is profound.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the Advance Reader Copy.

2.5 stars rounded up. This was an interesting and well researched book about the Chilean civil war. I must confess that I picked up this novel with little knowledge of the history of Chile and wanted to learn more. I'm having trouble pinpointing why I didn't love this, but it is the same reaction I had to the other book I've read by this author, Violeta.

The book focuses on a Chilean American female journalist in the 19th century who is granted the opportunity to travel to the land of her ancestors to report on the war. The beginning of the novel highlights how groundbreaking it was for an independent female to be working in media (she initially had to publish her work under a male pseudonym), and I appreciated this aspect of the story. My critiques of the book were that the romance element seemed a bit rushed and not as flushed out as I wanted, as was the ending. It seemed like the pacing was inconsistent because the beginning of the novel was very detailed with scene setting and character development, and then suddenly a lot of action occurred that was associated with the FMC witnessing the war.

Overall, I would still recommend this story if you enjoy historical fiction featuring strong female characters who defied the conventional norms of their time. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for this ARC copy.

This historical novel follows Emilia del Valle, a woman ahead of her time, determined to make her mark as a journalist in a world that’s not ready for her ambition. Raised by a bitter mother and a loving stepfather, Emilia grows into a fiercely independent woman who isn’t afraid to take risks. Her journey to Chile during a civil uprising blends personal discovery with the harsh realities of war, and the result is gripping, sometimes shocking, but always compelling.

The story is packed with adventure, family drama, and the struggle for identity, all tied together by vivid writing and rich historical detail. Emilia is not always likable, but her complexity makes her feel real. This is a fast-paced, emotional read that balances brutal truths with moments of hope. It’s a story that sticks with you.

In this historical fiction story, we meet a woman who is unlike other women of her time. Emilia del Valle is the daughter of a disgraced nun who had been seduced by a svelte Chilean wealthy man. However, she was raised by her mother, who remained bitter wanting her daughter to receive her rightful inheritance, and her wonderful step-father who encouraged her to do whatever her heart desired. Emilia became a writer of dime stories but wanted to be a serious journalist. When she lands a job at the Hearst newspaper, she convinces them to send her to cover human interest stories with another journalist to Chili during their civil uprising. Emilia del Valle sets off to discover her biological father and enters a war zone unlike anything she ever imagined. A lot of graphic wartime violence and suspense mixed with some romance. Emilia is quite the rebel and pioneer. Fast paced and gripping, filled with details that are almost unbelievable. Truth be told, I’m not sure I like the character of Emilia but her story was quite something. Many thanks to #netgalley, #isabelallende, #mynameisemiliadevalle for the opportunity to read and review this book.

In the 1800s, a young Irish woman about to become a nun has a relationship with a Chilean aristocrat and becomes pregnant, giving birth to a daughter she names Emilia Del Valle, after the father who abandons her. All her life, Emilia is told that, despite having a loving step father, she must connect with her birth father and collect her due. An independent spirit, Emilia wants to become a writer and begins writing dime novels under a male pseudonym. Her dream is to become a journalist and she does so for a San Francisco newspaper, but is told she must continue to use the pseudonym. She travels to Chile during their civil war as a correspondent and finally is allowed to use her real name. There, she discovers the barbarity of war, the love of her life, her birthright family, and searches for her soul.

I really enjoy Allende’s writing and this book adds to her considerable body of literature. She is a skillfull story teller who writes beautiful prose. Allende is known for her magical realism, so the book is fantastical at times, but a truly compelling read. There is so much here….adventure, the brutality of war, especially a civil war, romance, family bonds, cultural heritage, historical accounting, as well as a strong and endearing female character.

Isabel Allende has written another powerful historical novel involving real events, deeply layered characters, and a richly adventurous plot. Emilia del Valle is a 19th century journalist with an uphill battle to gain the respect and assignments she deserves. When civil war breaks out in Chile, the homeland of the father she never met, she fights for the chance to travel to South America and report on it. Emilia is an intricately drawn protagonist with a satisfying growth arc over the course of the book. I'm giving this four stars only because I hold Isabel Allende in such high esteem, and I felt like some of this story was lacking in historical detail that would have made it easier to understand Emilia's perspective and her fight against gender expectations in her time. But I absolutely loved the Chilean history and landscape, especially in the end of the book!

This is the tale of an unconventional woman. In 1866 from the brief coupling of a young Irish nun and a debauched rich Chilean gentleman an exceptional girl is born, Emilia del Valle. She is raised in an unconventional home with a stepfather who thinks she can do anything. So she defies the social norms to become a writer and journalist. When an assignment takes her to Chile, the home of her biological father, the story really becomes interesting.

As much as I love Isabel Allende the beginning of this book was a bit slow going for me & as much as I love her writing style I wasn't fully engaged in the story. But by the time our heroine Emilia begins her writing career & especially after she begins her travels, first to New York & then to Chile, the country her biological father is from, I was fully invested & couldn't read fast enough.

My favorite parts of this story involve Allende's telling of the Chilean civil war & Emilia & her fellow colleague Eric's coverage of it for their newspaper back in San Francisco. Her tenacity & spunk make her a very likeable (but maybe slightly unbelievable) character for the time period depicted.

Overall parts I adored & parts I didn't but the writing is so lovely that I'm willing to overlook the things I had problems with just to read a new book by a favorite author.

Thanks to netgalley & Random House/Ballantine Books for an advance copy

Although I am a fan of thrillers, I can never turn down an Isabel Allende book. Her storytelling always pulls me in, and My Name Is Emilia del Valle was no exception. This beautifully written historical fiction rekindled my love for the genre, reminding me why Allende is one of my favorite authors.

Typically, I gravitate toward World War II historical fiction, but I was glad this novel took me to Chile, exploring the struggles and resilience of its people during their civil war. Allende’s vivid portrayal of Emilia’s journey through personal and political upheaval was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The depth of her characters and the rich tapestry of historical context made this book an unforgettable read.

If you’re looking for a novel that combines history, emotion, and exceptional storytelling, this is a must-read. Once again, Isabel Allende proves why she’s a literary treasure.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC of My Name is Emilia del Valle. I was not disappointed in the slightest.

Biggest reason for giving it a four stars instead of a five is because it took me some time to connect to the protagonist, Emilia. Once I did, all I wanted to do was read to see what happens next.

Spoilers ahead!!!!

This book is set in the 1800s during the Chilean War. Emilia del Valle is the daughter of Molly Walsh and Gonzalo Andrés del Valle - except Gonzalo leaves Molly and never meets Emilia. Emilia is raised by her stepfather, Papo, and mother in San Francisco. I LOVED the father-daughter relationship between Emilia and Papo; you can tell how much he loves her and how much he cherishes his relationship with her.

Emilia begins writing under the pen name of Brandon J. Price, where she eventually pursues journalism. Here is where she meets Eric Whelan. The opportunity to cover the Chilean War arises and both her and Eric take the chance to report it. The descriptions of the Chilean War were so detailed and intense that I was pained to read the events unfold.

Some people said that there are aspects of the novel that are unbelievable, for example: Emilia’s career choice despite societal norms, her experiences in the war, Emilia surviving the Andes Mountains alone, her fiancé finding her in the end, etc., however, to these things I say it is historical fiction! To add, they weren’t written in a way that made it seem outlandish (to me at least). Quite frankly I was relieved she survived everything in the end.

All in all, this book was amazing. Worth the read! 100%

Isabel Allende may be my favorite author, even though at times she fails a bit (such as in her last book before this,,The Wind Knows My Name and according to my husband there are worse ones), and even though I have not apparently read her best works (also according to hubby: Paula). However I do read anything new of hers and am impressed that at age 82, she still begins writing a new book every year on January 8!

This was an interesting one, which has elements of a number of her core signature works: historical fictional, Chile, politics, family and relationships, and her beautifully embodied descriptions of sensual--though far from graphic-- experiences of love.

I liked it (much better than her last), but found it was not as arresting as the other books of hers that I have loved. While I always appreciate her clear and accessible style, in this case it felt like it somehow lacked the pizazz, or interesting emotional content she usually brings to that style of writing. Additionally, some of her character's exploits, especially in the latter parts, stretched credulity.

Also, although she never shies away from the cruel and gruesome politics of dictators such as Pinochet and Franco and how her characters suffer in such regimes (with always managing a happy ending) , this one was pretty darned grueling. Definitely a trigger warning here! The vicissitudes of not just war but crazy mob cruelty go on for many pages, and in a fair amount of detail.

Speaking of detail: Although Allende has lived in the times of the above mentioned regimes, in this case the setting is late 1800’s and the amount of research and detail she brings to each page is impressive. From a woman trying to be a journalist in San Francisco at that time, to the situation during the Chilean Civil War both in the politics to the daily routines and turmoil, to a backroads journey where our character, for example, chewed tobacco for pain, there is a lot for a fan of historical fiction to learn about here.

This book, far more than her others about Chile, also gives the reader a sense of the profound beauty of the wilderness areas of that region. It made me understand for the first time the incredible draw of living there, even with all the political turmoil that has happened.

I’m so very grateful to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and the author for this advanced review copy. And just ever so grateful that Isabel Allende continues to thrive and write for us with her unique voice and contributions. I love you Isabel!

I loved this book because let's face it, its Isabel Allende and I love her. The whole history of the Chilean civil war was very interesting to me because my grandfather was Chilean and he was a child in Chile during this time. Telling it through the eyes of Emilia Del Valle was a great way of humanizing this event.

Emilia del Valle is the product of a brief encounter between an Irish immigrant mother, who is preparing to take orders to become a nun, and a Chilean from a wealthy family. Emilia is raised by a loving stepfather who encourages her love of words and storytelling. At sixteen, she starts to pursue her dreams of being a writer by writing dime novels under a pseudonym which leads to a job at the San Francisco Examiner. Emilia begins to grow, not just as a writer but as a woman. First she writes about crime in San Francisco then she gets the opportunity to write a travel column and explores New York City. This experience only sparks her interest in travel and writing. Partnered with another columnist, Eric Whelan, Emilia takes the opportunity to travel to cover the civil unrest in Chile. Once there, Emilia meets her biological father and she starts to get to know the matriarch of the del Valle family. When the civil war starts, Emilia learns not only how to survive in a battle, but also learns more about herself and her desires for her life. A thoughtful novel about finding out your identity on your own terms.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

Isabel Allende has done it again. This author has such a way with words. This book is set during the 1891 Chilean civil war, a topic I knew literally nothing about. She makes this conflict come alive without overcomplicating the politics and names involved in the conflict. This is done through the narrator, Emilia del Valle, who lives a cutting-edge life as a journalist and war reporter. This is great for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and strong female characters.

Emilia del Valle is a strong-willed, smart, self-sufficient young woman and this story centers around her young life. Raised by a single mother and supportive and loving stepfather, Emilia was confident and supported which allowed her to explore her passions, specifically writing. But her biological father's story prompts her to continue to ask questions about her ancestry. When her job as a journalist provides the opportunity to cover the civil war in Chile, her father's homeland, she goes willingly. In Chile, she is confronted with the horrors of war face-to-face; the extreme danger she finds herself in, coupled with being in her father's homeland, pushes Emilia to explore her identity and find her true self. This was a riveting novel, well-written, emotional, and uplifting.