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I 'met' Isabel Allende when I discovered her first book "The House of the Spirits" in the year of its publication, 1982. Its rhythm has stayed with me through the years in the same way a good scent or piece of music evokes a particular place in time. The passionate narrative escapes me but the images, conjured up by the words, remain vivid and familiar. I became hooked in 1982.
As a 31-year-old journalist in 1973, Allende fled from Chile after a violent military coup d'tat, led by General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte, forced her uncle, President Salvador Allende Gossens, from power and led to his assassination. Six years later, unhappy but settled in Venezuela, Isabel faced the prospect of the death of her beloved 99-year-old grandfather, Agustin llona Cuevas, back in Chile. Unable to attend his funeral, she began a letter he would never read. After one year of entries, the letter became her first book "The House of The Spirits" published in 1982 to critical acclaim.
I admire Isabel Allende for she is a storyteller in the true sense of the word. Her characters, particularly her main characters, may not represent or resemble anyone you know. They are delicious mavericks, dissidents and questioners often existing on the fringes of society where better to find triumph over adversity? Sometimes a protagonist is born into privilege where respect is a given - an unfortunate accident of birth, in my humble opinion - only to find themselves later marginalised due to a twist of fate. Or a twist of Allende. No matter their context, her characters are first and foremost ... passionate. Respect and passion are not good bedfellows yet this recipe makes for the most compelling struggles; struggles which become irresistible to the reader when her special ingredient of magical realism is added.
Her books are worlds away from chick-lit, what I call girly-ism. Yet her people are heart-followers - every last one of them. To this end, they may not be remotely familiar. To you. However, by the time you are asked (and you will be asked), you believe. You believe because Allende does her homework well: she lays the mental trail long before you are both introduced. Soon you espy the world beyond yours in which your now favourite character is comfortable. How can you resist? You must follow. Before you know it, you step through the doorway and immediately understand why your character is comfortable. All at once you understand your character.
For me, an Isabel Allende novel is a delicious concoction of sights, sounds and smells. Of the imagination. "The House of The Spirits" slowly enchants. The text assaults your imaginary senses with vivid language and a healthy dose of mysticism wrapped within her finely-crafted descriptions. Reinforcing your initial belief in the character, you are now forced to suspend disbelief in order to fully comprehend the magical edge they possess. Now your immersion is complete.
Born into a conservative Catholic patriarchal family in 1940s Peru but raised in Chile, Isabel Allende Llona was brought up to simply be. Her burgeoning feminist views as a young woman in a male-dominated society forced her head above the parapet. Journalism - is there a better outlet? - quite rightly, produced a natural loudspeaker for her views and her desire to influence opinion. To simply be heard.
After the events of 1973, Allende's passion for the big words: justice, loyalty, freedom, death etc. served to consolidate and strengthen her voice. Twenty years later sadness revisited with the death of her only daughter, Paula, on 6 December 1992. The resultant book "Paula: A Memoir" is a touchingly beautiful but heart-rending intimate account of a mother's inconsolable grief.
This year's offering "The Sum of Our Days" (April 2008) confirms that Allende has a great deal more to offer us. So I for one shall wait with bated breath. Like her husband and son, Allende remains a long-term resident of the US and continues to write in Spanish, believe in dreams, affairs of the heart and the power of nature.
Increasingly vocal on women's issues and the poor (often indistinguishable from each other), you have to agree with her: women make up 51% of humankind - their empowerment would change EVERYTHING. No magical realism here.
It's my first professional attempt at something I have always enjoyed - from school diary days to corporate project proposals and manuals - but never had the time to fully explore. However, 'Isabel' was pure pleasure and, in my opinion, not as good as I expected. No doubt I'll improve with practice.
Your critical eye from time to time would be much appreciated.
Wonderfully, well-written article, Alexandra. If Allende's book is half as well-written as your article, then I can understand your excitement. You should write a book yourself, if you haven't already.
If you are unfamiliar with Allende's work, House of The Spirits is a perfect place to start. It is a valuable introduction that stands you in good stead for the books that follow as she hones her craft.
" ... write a book ..." ? Not confident enough, Sandra. Thank you for making my day.
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