(book review)

“It would be lovely if we were all created equal…but we are not“
(Isabel Allende)

‘The House of the Spirits’ by Isabel Allende was written in1982. It is a multi-generational story about a woman with paranormal powers and a connection to the spirit world. Isabel Allende is considered to be the most popular writer in Latin America. She became famous after the publication of the novel ‘The House of Spirits’, written in the best traditions of magic realism.

The action takes place in Chile of the 20th century. The story is about Esteban Trueb and his life. Sometimes it is told by the main character, sometimes by his granddaughter Alba, more often from the third person. There are many characters in the book and they are all written out brightly and fully.

This book is about how the world has changed, based on the example of several generations of one family. It is well written, exciting and very vital. The book is a bit like ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by G. Marquez. Although it is even difficult to say exactly what is similar and what is not. Perhaps, these two books share the general atmosphere of Latin America, maybe, the life of a family, which organically combines everyday realities with magical ‘zest’.

There are girls here who are born with green hair. There is a clairvoyant girl and her mother, whose words, by the way, come true. There are spirits who live next to their house and help them in times of despair. There are no empty words and no leading actions. It is full of enigmas. “You can`t find someone who does not want to be found…” Everything has its beginning and a completely logical end.

The novel has a 1993 film adaptation of the same name with top-notch actors in the lead roles. This film is really praised by many people.

Therefore, I wish you a pleasant viewing and no less pleasant reading. My rating is 9/10.