Reviews

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

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mbpartlow's review against another edition

4.0

I think this book was my first introduction to what's known as magical realism. I enjoy Allende's writing, her beautiful rhythms. The culture she wrote about was foreign to me, but I felt like she opened a door and ushered me in.

mfkelly323's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

frostyred's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This one will stay with me. There was so much! The importance of family and politics, wealth and poverty, how strong hatred can be. There was magic, a lot of sorrow, an uprising! Sure, there were bits I felt a little meh at as with most books tbh but I never felt like the story wouldn't grip me again. It was dramatic and poetic. In a world today of such divided opinion, it was interesting to see how a family could love each other through such differing opinions and were willing to be so forgiving of each other's worst behaviours. I feel like I really gained from reading this.

seanwane's review against another edition

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3.5

cooperativa de putas y maricones !!!!!!!

almondsurfer's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

abbigator's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This reads very similarly to lots of translated classic literature, which I appreciate. It was a bit rough in the beginning because there is some person tense changes, but it was relatively easy to figure out who was talking. The translator did a good job I think. It got really dark towards the end but given the context of what was happening, it made sense.