I have always wanted to read an Isabel Allende, so I was glad for this Netgalley ARC of her upcoming work. I was quickly enamored by her writing voice which is very light and personable, and her control over the narrative movement is masterfully deft. In that, I am reminded of her magical realism ilk such as Marquez, Desai, Borges, Murakami and Rushdie, whose works have been formative for me as a reader and writer. That said, this story is not exactly a work of magical realism and more straightforward historical fiction, with the fantastical element of a young Latina from California traveling to Chile to be a newspaper correspondent during the Chilean Civil War. The titular Emilia's voice, both as a narrator and as the author of her newspaper pieces, much like Allende has a breezy brashness with a very solid mastery of her craft while telling all the human stories around the war. The unfolding narrative of her Chilean roots interlaces with her wartime correspondence in a seamless tapestry that makes her personal and professional journeys a masterful work of historical accounting that feels oddly relevant in the current times. Perhaps it feels timely because once again, as Americans, we see our institutions and populace turning indifferent eyes on wars away from home that cause immense suffering, and hobbling the formidable potential of women as history makers. It's not difficult to root for Emilia -- she is plucky, adventurous, self-assured, indomitable while also being deeply empathetic. That she's a writer makes perfect sense as does her journey, with all the believable stumbles, lessons and all the human connections she makes along the way. If you're like me, you might be tempted to look up Wikipedia for all the historical context while reading, but if you resist the temptation, and trust Allende, you'll learn everything you need to know and then some. It's a longish work but doesn't really feel that way. I am so glad this was my introduction to Allende because for someone who has already had such a long and storied legacy, it's always so impressive to me that they are able to keep putting out works that feel well-researched and thematically relevant to the zeitgeist.

My Name is Emilia del Valle
by Isabel Allende \
Pub Date: May 6, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
In this spellbinding historical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea and The House of the Spirits, a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself.
The novel takes readers through Emilia’s search for her father, her quest to capture the war’s brutal reality, and her brush with Chile’s fierce canteen girls who brave the frontlines to support soldiers. Though the plot sometimes skims over pivotal moments, the story never loses focus on Emilia’s emotional journey as she grapples with identity, love, and the calling to write. It's a fast read - almost surface level.

In the end, while this 300-page novel leaves some threads untied, My Name is Emilia del Valle is a gripping tale of courage, heritage, and resilience.

Isabel Allende’s My Name Is Emilia del Valle is a stunning work of historical fiction that captivates and informs in equal measure. As a longtime fan of Allende’s writing, I was excited to see her explore a new chapter of Chilean history, shedding light on the Chilean Civil War and San Francisco during the same era. What truly stands out in this novel is its feminist perspective. Through Emilia’s journey, the book deftly examines the roles and expectations placed on women and men in different societies, offering a rich and nuanced portrayal of her navigation through them. Allende’s ability to breathe life into her characters and settings once again shines, making the historical backdrop feel both vivid and deeply personal. The ending, while a bit unconventional, adds an intriguing layer of ambiguity, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. It’s a fitting close to a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is beautifully written.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advance copy of this novel by an accomplished author that offers a view of women that is quite different than one thought of, one filled with a zest for adventure, writing, learning, and even a little bit of romance.

There are authors who like to buck the trends of what their characters can do, where they come from, and what they plan to do with their lives. Isabel Allende is one of those authors. Allende's books run the gamut from romance, to autofiction, to even a little bit of pulp styling as in Allende's retelling of the Zorro story. Allende also can create characters that readers care about, and that seem real, even when they are in a period that treated women as worse than second class citizens, especially if their backgrounds were not lily white. What I like most about Allende is that the characters that Allende creates do not except limitations, from themselves or society. Allende's characters follow their own path, a path that might lead them to success, failure or a mix in between. However it is the character's decision's and that is why I enjoy Allende's works so much. In Emilia del Valle, Allende has created probably her most memorable, and most audacious. My Name Is Emilia del Valle is a historical novel, about a young woman, born under a few bad signs, who fights with all her brains and skills to be who she wants to be, no matter where it might take her.

Emilia del Valle is born in 1866 on the West Coast of the United States. Emilia's mother is a nun who is considered fallen, after her affair with a Chilean member of the aristocracy, who leaves her pregnant and alone in San Francisco. Emilia grows up with love, and the encouragement of her stepfather who always pushed her to be as good as she wants to be, in what she wants to be. Emilia starts writing stories for magazines, stories of adventure, pirates and like for the early pulps, an outlet for Emilia's wanderlust. This soon grows tiring, even at her young age, and she finagles her way into a job at a newspaper where she is partnered with a young reporter Eric Whelan. Their partnership might turn to something else, but Emilia decides she needs to cover the problems that are occuring in her father's home country of Chile. A Civil War could be starting and Emilia would like to be there to cover it, and maybe find out more information about who she is. Emilia travels to Chile and finds a lot more than she expected, and could lose more than she ever thought.

A big sprawling book that covers the world from Ireland to America to South America. I loved the story and the idea of the story. Yes women did things, write, become doctors, all sorts of things that history neglects to mention, as if women never left the house until World War II Emilia is a fascinating character, one that is funny, charming and smart. Who never turns dumb for a man or to fit the situation, which again is rare in many books. The history covered is new to me, and does not overwhelm the story. Allende, is much too good of a writer to do that. Instead it compliments the character, giving her more to deal with, and to grow as a character. There are many funny moments, as well as scenes that break hearts, and make one mad at the evil that people can do to each other.

Fans of Allende will enjoy this, and this is a good book for new writers to start with. Much of what Emilia has to deal with will be sadly familiar to many women today. Especially sharing credit with a man. For fans of Allende, and historical fiction in general, this book is a treat.

While reading this book, I learned so much about the Chilean Civil War. I also learned about a beautiful human who was raised by her mother and wonderful stepfather.. Her mother carries hatred against the Emilie’s father who took advantage of her innocence.
Be prepared to fall in love with Emilie.
Read this amazing story - it’ will take you on a wonderful adventure.

Emilia's parents never married each other, but her mother gave her a rare and wonderful stepfather, a Victorian freethinker who encouraged her to read and write...even adventure stories, even criminal investigations. When her crime stories were printed in the newspaper the editor required her to collaborate with a young man. They became friends. Then they got a lead on a breaking news story--the civil war in Chile. Emilia's father had come from Chile. Her mother wanted her to follow him back there, to deliver a bitter little letter and demand her inheritance.

Does she have an inheritance? Will White Chilean society accept her as heir to a rich family, or despise her because her parents weren't married? How much can a young White lady observe and report about the war? What would have been probable in real history is not the same as what's likely to happen in novels by the author of "House of the Spirits" and "Zorro." Emilia is too unusual a character to get an ordinary happy ending. Her story is as unusual as she is, and has its own kind of logical coherence.

Emilia tells her own story in a terse, witty, journalistic way, with occasional patches of a friend's point of view. (Bonus points for self[-control if you don't look ahead to see who narrates the Epilogue.) Her voice is reminiscent of other Allende characters and of Allende in her nonfiction, and her love of her family, her passion for writing, her enjoyment of young men, her un-Victorian sense of social justice, her hate of war, and her love of Chile, will sweep you away into an adventure in magical realism. 4.75 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for this advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review. I am a big fan of Isabel Allende’s work and was so excited to have the chance to read this early. However, while it was a great story, I don’t think this was a favorite for me.

First and foremost, this story is about the Chilean civil war. Like many of Allende’s books, this one is ripe with Chilean history and in this book, the war and battles almost feel like a character themselves. There was a lot of vivid descriptions of the conflict at hand in the war and also the brutality of the fighting itself, which I think was very well done and was handled very respectfully by the author. It was clearly very well researched and does explore important topics, as it relates to political violence and human resilience in the face of such violence and conflict.

However, the driving plot points outside of this felt a bit rushed and I felt disconnected to the story and the characters. At the start of the book, I sensed a trademark of Allende’s books, where we got descriptions of wonderfully unique character descriptions of Emilia, her mother, and others; but, the plot progressed rapidly and at times, the activities and relative freedoms that Emilia participated in (I.e. her work, her travel, etc) felt a bit difficult to believe in, given the significant restrictions imposed upon women at this time. In Allende’s other novels, what I have enjoyed the most was how much I could fall into the story at hand, completely believing in it whether realistic or not, and the characters feeling so developed and fleshed out, that it almost felt like you knew them— unfortunately, that was not the case for me in this book.

Overall, if you are a fan of Allende, this book was a quick enough read that I would still recommend reading it. I would also recommend it if you enjoy historical fiction. There were a great many things to enjoy and love about this book, I think it just was not for me.

It's the end of the year and while I promised NetGalley an honest review in return for the ARC, I'm feeling generous and upgrading this 4.5 book.

Isabel Allende writes books that just envelope you. You become a part of the life of the characters and they become a part of yours. She creates worlds and characters which you just dive into and live. When I wake up and can't get back to sleep, I will pull out my kindle and read a couple pages before falling back asleep. Darn Isabel, once I was back in her world I stayed up several hours reading. Although for the past few days I've been very tired and fell asleep at my desk once, it was a fair trade.

This book also serves as a primer on late 19th century Chile. I would say I knew nothing, but some of the names are familiar. Now I am not only familiar, I feel I have been there. The battle scenes are well written and detailed, you can smell the gunpowder and taste the dust, I felt like I needed a shower after spending time in the hospitals and prisons, and instead had a cold, refreshing swim in a glacial lake.

This wasn't perfection. The heroine sometimes mistakes stupidity for heroism. And sometimes providing the history could be dull. But it's Christmas and I'm forgiving the small flaws in return for such a good story.

Isabel Allende's My Name Is Emilia del Valle is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to 19th-century Chile. The story follows Emilia, a young woman who defies societal expectations and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and independence.

Allende's vivid descriptions bring the historical setting to life, immersing readers in the rich culture and tumultuous political climate of the time. The characters are well-developed, with Emilia emerging as a strong and resilient protagonist. However, some readers may find the pacing to be uneven, with certain plot points feeling rushed.

While the novel explores important themes such as love, loss, and the power of human resilience, it occasionally delves into melodrama. Nevertheless, Allende's masterful storytelling and her ability to weave historical events into a compelling narrative make My Name Is Emilia del Valle a worthwhile read for fans of historical fiction.

Isabel Allende has done it again.

The product of an illicit affair between a prospective nun and a womanizer, Emilia grew up hearing about how terrible of a person her father is. She gets the chance to find out for herself when she is sent to cover the Chilean civil war as a war correspondent.

Isabel Allende has a talent for whisking you away to other countries without ever having to leave the comfort of your home. Throughout this book, I felt as if I was in Chile experiencing the war right alongside Emilia. My heart ached and exploded for her.

A huge shout out and thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book so that I could share my thoughts on it.

This book follows our protagonist, Emilia, a young woman trying to figure out who she is in a world dominated by men (relatable)—a world set in the 1800s, no less. It’s her journey of courage, self-discovery, and defiance as she works to make a name for herself in spite of all the obstacles put in her way. And even though historical fiction isn’t usually what I read, I found myself enthralled in Emilia’s story.

Something that contributed to my love for this story was the cast of side characters that added depth and truly felt like people I knew and was rooting/concerned for. For this reason, I cried, laughed, and ultimately, was very pleased with the ending.

In conclusion, if you're wanting to get into Allende's books but don't know where to start, I would highly recommend this one. It was short but fully fleshed out, and her writing style is unique but approachable and easy to understand. If you love books that combine powerful characters, historical depth, and emotional storytelling, I can’t recommend this one enough.

I truly loved reading Isabel Allende 's forthcoming book, My Name is Emilia del Valle. The title character is a young woman who lives with her mother and stepfather in Victorian San Francisco. Her parents encourage her in her desire to pursue a career in writing. Beginning with the writing of dime novels, she eventually lands a job with The San Francisco Examiner. When civil war breaks out in Chile, Emilia begins the journey of a lifetime to cover the war for her newspaper and to find her real father, a member of a prominent and wealthy Chilean family. From the perils and brutality of war, the joys and heartbeak of family, to the limits of self and the triumph of love, Emilia's journey is one you won't want to miss.

3.75

Isabel Allende has a mesmerizing ability to weave tales that traverse the realms of history, emotion, and personal awakening. However, I initially found myself grappling with a sense of disconnection from the main character. I struggled to embrace the protagonist's journey. Her challenges and triumphs felt distant. The historical and political upheaval taking place in the story seemed to overshadow the character's voice.

However, as I delved deeper into the narrative, layers of the storyline peeled away, revealing the protagonist's quest for identity, resilience, and the desire to belong.

And then came the ending—the climax of this emotional swell that left me breathless. Allende crafted it with such exquisite finesse. I found myself reflecting on the main character’s evolution and on the domestic and historical forces that shaped her journey.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advanced reader copy.

Isabel Allende's Emilia is larger than life, an incredible female for any age, let alone the mid to upper 1880s! Born to a teenage Irish novitiate and rejected by her Chilean nobleman father, she is brought up by her extraordinary mother and eventually her loving, doting father from San Francisco's Mission District. He is both her teacher and her protector, though Emilia is strong-willed and ambitious. She is fluent in Spanish and has a surprising career as a writer at an early age. "My Name is Emilia del Valle" gives us an historical peek at early San Francisco history, what journalism might have been like in that period, and also an excruciatingly detailed, on-the-spot recounting of war in Chile. Emilia has traveled there for work, but more importantly, to find the birth father her mother has never forgiven, trying to put at rest the angst and mystery surrounding him. The story keeps readers engrossed with its detailed descriptions of people, locations, and the brutality of war. I found Emilia's love life a bit difficult to believe and the eventual love story needed far more background than the book provides. One final thought, for now: I am in awe of the translators who preserve the beauty of the author's words and present us with a compelling book.

The story was interesting about a time in history that I knew nothing about but the writing seemed
very simplistic or sort of not literary, dumbed down. But I enjoyed the story nonetheless.

It is rare to find a book with character development that is so vivid you feel that you grow to know the character deeply and descriptions of historical events that are so evocative that you feel like you are living through the described events. My Name is Emilia del Valle achieves both of these objectives. I cherished every minute of traveling with Emilia from San Francisco to New York and then to Chile in the late nineteenth century to experience the civil war. Allende is a genius of developing strong female protagonists in the backdrop of important historical events and she has done it again with My Name is Emilia del Valle. I highly recommend this book.

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

We love a woman who knows who she is and Emilia Del Valle is that woman. Such a poignant perspective, being a woman in a man's world. Growing up in the shadow of her mother and having to make her own way. The writing is captivating and so is Emilia Del Valle.

An absolute treasure that is as informative as it is spellbinding. When Allende lends her hypnotic style to historical fiction, the story seamlessly unfolds. She is a master storyteller. I love novels like this because it feels like no single genre can hold them. Plot expectations float right out of the window, and the unpredictable threads add to the allure.

This novel reads like a memoir only it's centered on a fictional character. Emilia del Valle is a forward-thinking young lady with career aspirations and dreams to see the world. The only issue is that she lives in the 1800's and most believe her sole focus should be marriage. Luckily, her stepfather encourages her to achieve all the dreams she holds dear. Their relationship was lovely to witness. She travels from San Fransico to Chile as a journalist to cover the civil war raging there and with an ulterior motive to research her paternity.

"My Name is Emilia del Valle" has plenty to offer: travel, picturesque settings, danger, romance, war, and a magnetic heroine to explore it with. Another mesmerizing novel by Isabel Allende loaded with emotional depth.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the Advance Readers Copy

Emilia Del Valle, growing up in the shadow of her mother's scandalous past, sought to forge her own path. To support her family, she began penning dime-store novels under a male pseudonym. But her ambitions extended beyond fiction. Boldly seeking a career in journalism, she landed an assignment to cover the Chilean Civil War. Immersed in the chaos of battle alongside the Chilean Canteen girls, she experienced firsthand the horrors of war. I was riveted by this novel until the last 10%, the ending somehow did not sit well with me.

Thank you NetGalley, Isabel Allende and Ballantine books for this beautiful ARC.

The story of Emilia Del Valle will capture hearts as you journey with her in her fight to find her purpose. And fight her identity as a woman in a man's world.

She heals. transforms and even fall's in love.

What I took away from this book was her perseverance to keep going knowing she was Emilia Del Valle and noting was going to stop her.

This book is a treasure and will be revered for years to come.