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.

Allende's books always pull me in with her excellent character development. I learn about the history of Chile through her stories ‐ history I know little about. In this book, I also learned more about the beauty of the country, especially in more remote areas. I highly recommend this book as well as her past books.

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK! It’s a historical fiction with an awesome AF main character. I think if you liked The Giver of Stars or The Book Woman of Troublesome creek, you’d like this.

Thank you for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

While I loved Isabel Allende’s writing, I really didn’t connect with this book. I was interested in her portrayal of the Chilean Civil War and at times brutal descriptions of man’s inhumanity toward other men- indeed neighbors against neighbors. There is a lesson here for Americans in this time of political division. However, I did not connect with the protagonist. I found her modern day independence and sensibilities a little over the top- especially the ending when she survived in the Andean mountains alone for such a long time- and then was found by her fiancé, another extremely unlikely event.

If you asked me to describe MY NAME IS EMILIA DEL VALLE in three words, I might pick adventure, violence, with a bit of romance. But these words don’t really do justice to this novel. Reading this book gave me a chance to meet a determined woman who flaunts the rules and winds up living through exceptional experiences, both good and bad. Awarded four stars but if I could I would go to 4.5.

Written in the style of an autobiography, MY NAME IS EMILIA DEL VALLE is Emilia’s first person account of her life through her mid twenties. (Might there be a sequel?) In Chile in the early 1890s she is a fiercely independent woman, bucking all the social conventions at a time when the only acceptable roles for women in this deeply Catholic society were marriage and motherhood.

But after an intellectually rigorous upbringing, courtesy of a loving stepfather, Emilia aspires to earn her own living as a writer — unheard of for a woman at this time. After finding success writing 10-cent novels using a male pseudonym, Emilia becomes a journalist, where she hopes to be able to report using her own name. One of her early assignments is to cover the feature side of Chile’s increasing political tension, partnered with a more experienced journalist who will cover the news side.

Aside from Emilia’s ambition and commitment to lead a non-traditional life, the novel tells a second story of the South American country of Chile itself. It’s a story of European Colonialism and the Chilean Civil War of 1891 -- a fight for power between the President of Chile, José Manuel Balmaceda and the country's legislative congress. Wealthy European settlers generally support Balmaceda while impoverished and indigenous people side with Congress. Like the American Civil War, this was a savage conflict.

As with all her books, Isabel Allende’s language is beautiful. (Credit certainly also goes to translator Frances Riddle.) The passages describing battles that Emilia witnesses are so vivid that they are painful to read and I occasionally found the need to take a break. Likewise, descriptions of wild and remote areas in the Andes Mountains are equally powerful and you will long to visit what must have been a true paradise.

The only reason I did not award five stars to MY NAME IS EMILIA DEL VALLE is because I found the start of the book dragged a bit. But by midway, I was frantically turning pages, both eager and nervous to find out what would happen next. Highly recommended.

Emilia del Valle is an adventurous and determined young woman, who goes against the conventions of the times and of her modest San Franciscan family. After some success writing dime novels under a male pen name, Emilia breaks conventions by become a journalist for the Examiner, also under her pen name. She travels to New York City for the Examiner and sends back human interest stories, always seeking out the people whose voices might otherwise remain unheard.

In the midst of the Chilean civil war, Emilia and her fellow reporter Eric

Thank you for the advance copy. I love all of Isabel Allende’s books but this one fell short for me and I lost interest at about 35%. I learned a lot about the Chilean Civil
War but I felt that there were too many insignificant characters and Emilia’s story dragged on.

I’ve been eagerly anticipating Isabel Allende’s latest novel after being captivated by The Wind Knows My Name and Violetta, and My Name is Emilia Del Valle did not disappoint. Allende once again weaves a rich tapestry of history, politics, and deeply compelling characters. Emilia Del Valle is a standout protagonist—strong, determined, and ahead of her time. I love how the novel centers on her journey, as she defies societal expectations and navigates the complexities of her world. Her resilience and courage make her an unforgettable character.

While the narrative occasionally delves deeply into the politics and history of Chile, particularly during a tumultuous period, Allende masterfully anchors the story in Emilia’s personal growth. The historical context adds depth and nuance, though at times it can feel overwhelming, but it never pulls you too far from the heart of the story: Emilia's unyielding spirit. If you're a fan of historical fiction with strong female protagonists and well-crafted political themes, this book will certainly resonate with you.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

#MyNameIsEmiliadelValle #NetGalley

4.0. I really like Isabel Allende’s works, and this one did not disappoint. I am always amazed at how different each of her novels is from the others, and that is a gift in my opinion. The one is more of a historical fiction on the Civil War in Chile at the end of the 19th century. The story focuses on Emilia del Valle, the daughter of an Irish immigrant who came to San Francisco and entered a convent to become a nun when she was raped by a young rogue from Chile. This incident deeply scarred her mother throughout her life which had a consequential impact on Emilia’s upbringing. Her mother remarried and Emilia’s Papo, originally from Mexico, gave Emilia a lot of what she didn’t get from her mother, in love and the thirst for knowledge and ambition. Emilia became an author at a very young age of dime store novels (under the name of a man as her stories would never have been published had they known she was a woman) but craved to be a journalist and convincingly was able to land a job with a San Francisco publication. She strong armed her way to witness the Chilean civil war in the 1860s. The novel delves into the tragedy, devastation, carnage, slaughter, pillage as well as the societal consequences of war in exquisite yet haunting detail. Despite all the negative aspects of the war, Allende also wrote of the raw and natural beauty of her homeland, Chile, and of the various cultures, from the wealthy elites to the indigenous people. Great character development and so well researched.. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advance copy in exchange for a candid and unbiased review.

I had a hard time connecting to the characters which was a bit disappointing to me personally. I wish we had more time with the characters. But it was a lovely story and well written.