Mi nombre es Emilia del Valle

by Isabel Allende

Una inolvidable historia de amor y de guerra protagonizada por una mujer que, enfrentada a los mayores desafíos, sobrevive y se reinventa.

San Francisco, 1866: una monja irlandesa, embarazada y abandonada por un aristócrata chileno tras una apasionada relación, da a luz a una niña a la que llama Emilia del Valle. Criada por su cariñoso padrastro, Emilia se convertirá en una joven brillante de gran personalidad, autónoma e independiente, que desafiará las normas sociales de su tiempo para profesar su verdadera pasión y vocación: la escritura.

Con tan solo diecisiete años, publicará novelas de aventuras bajo un pseudónimo masculino. Pero, enseguida, su mundo ficticio se le quedará pequeño y decidirá optar al puesto de periodista que se le ofrece en el periódico local para vivir de cerca la realidad.

Tiempo después, se le presentará la oportunidad de viajar como corresponsal a la ferviente guerra civil en Chile y no dudará en tomarla. Junto al avezado periodista Eric Whelan, Emilia se encontrará una nación en quiebra, al borde del abismo. Mientras cubre el conflicto bélico entre el presidente Balmaceda y el congreso rebelde, aprovechará la estancia en el país para explorar sus vínculos con la familia Del Valle y poder, al fin, conocer a su padre.

Sus reportajes la situarán en el centro de la guerra, soportando situaciones de terrible violencia en el campo de batalla, en el hospital de sangre y en la cárcel, donde varias veces se debatirá entre la vida y la muerte. Al tiempo, vivirá -y sufrirá- el amor y conocerá también, entre bosques, lagos y volcanes, una tierra donde no llega el horror de la guerra y donde, tal vez, acabe descubriendo no solo su destino sino su propia identidad.

Una cautivadora e inolvidable historia de amor y de guerra, de descubrimiento y redención, protagonizada por una mujer que, enfrentada a los mayores desafíos, sobrevive y se reinventa. Emilia del Valle es desde ya un personaje inolvidable del universo más fértil de Isabel Allende, la saga Del Valle, que empezó con su obra maestra La casa de los espíritus y continuó con Hija de la fortuna y Retrato en sepia.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Fantasy

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 6, 2025

About the author

Isabel Allende Llona is a Chilean-American novelist. Allende, who writes in the "magic realism" tradition, is considered one of the first successful women novelists in Latin America. She has written novels based in part on her own experiences, often focusing on the experiences of women, weaving myth and realism together. She has lectured and done extensive book tours and has taught literature at several US colleges. She currently resides in California with her husband. Allende adopted U.S. citizenship in 2003.

Reviews

[Marquise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Isabel Allende once told an anecdote that time she sat down one January 8th to write, as is her ritual, but she didn't know what to write and her then literary agent, Carmen Balcells, told her "Write a memoir, Isabel." She had countered, "I already wrote one, don't you remember?" And Balcells had replied, "That was years ago."

And so, Isabel sat down and wrote a second memoir.

About exactly the same topics, the same anecdotes, the same events, the same relatives, and the same scattered musings and nostalgic reminiscences about the country she no longer knows well, having lived most of her life abroad. Nothing new. Nothing insightful to add. Only the same overwhelming nostalgia that she seems to be unable to cope with sensibly and that drives her to writing always the same things over and over, always about the Chile she lost decades ago.

As someone who lost her beloved Shire as a child, although not violently like her, I can understand the irresistible siren call of nostalgia, the call of a long-lost homeland you lived your formative and happiest years. And because I understand, I also know that there's a healthy limit to nostalgia, a line that, if crossed, calls for therapy and self-examination, because that's no longer normal nostalgia but trauma.

The author needs a kind soul to take her aside and tell her, very lovingly but firmly, "Let go, Isabel. Your Chile is gone and will never return, you no longer live there and no longer are a part of it. It'll forever be in your heart, but you must let go. Your nostalgia has become toxic to your writing, it has made it stale and repetitive and frozen in the past, a past you obviously can't get over. Let go, Isabel, for your own sake and your writing."

Because the last thing Isabel Allende needs is another literary agent that encourages her to pump out the same old recycled plots and characters and Chilean setting with absolutely nothing refreshing to add to them. If nobody in the publishing industry has told her by now, then maybe it's up to readers to tell her. Let go, Isabel. I say that as someone who deeply loved "House of the Spirits," I say that as someone descended from an old and eccentric line like the del Valle family you write so much about. I say that as your early fan pained by your later output. Let go, Isabel. Please.

My Name is Emilia del Valle wasn't necessary, and has all the markings of a book that was written because it was January 8th and Isabel was out of ideas, so she went for the tried and trusty regurgitation of yet another del Valle story that's not really a new del Valle story but the same one we've seen before. Seen before? Yes, we saw this before in "Portrait in Sepia."

I mean: Bastard daughter of a Chilean aristocratic rake and a pious American virgin beauty, gets adopted by her gentle cuck of a stepfather whom she ends up loving, grows up to girlboss around the place and spout "funny" quips about patriarchy and society, is an insufferable Not Like Other Girls feminist that occasionally drops disparaging comments about other women, gets into a girlboss profession she's the best at, goes from 1800s California to Chile to find her roots, meets the eccentric del Valle clan, does some more "funny" quipping about how backwards and Catholic the country is, and falls in love with a ne'er-do-well who betrays her, then she finds the love of her life she can domineer and lives girlbossing happily ever after. The End.

That's exactly the plot of both My Name is Emilia del Valle and "Portrait in Sepia."

Not even the events of the Chilean Civil War are either interesting or necessary new material. Aurora del Valle already covered that in "Portrait in Sepia." The commentary on Chilean society (which Allende always describes as static and unchanged in the 1800s as in the 1900s, because all she knows of her country is through nostalgia and not actual historical reality) was already covered by Paulina del Valle in "Portrait in Sepia." The events of immediately after the Chilean Civil War are already covered by Violeta del Valle in "Violeta." The Pacific War between Chile, Peru, and Bolivia just a little bit before the civil war? Severo del Valle covered that too, in "Daughter of Fortune."

Which makes Emilia the most useless del Valle. I'm chuckling as I write this, it's ironically the exact truth, because we didn't need Emilia in the least. What exactly was she going to add to the history of the clan that would justify this book, pray tell?

You could argue that seeing Paulina again was a highlight, and I'd say, sure, but it was already trodden territory. And it didn't help that, for a story that is told from Emilia's POV, she seems to know absolutely everything others think and feel, without knowing them much or at all. She always tells, and doesn't show, even when logically she shouldn't know since there's no universal narrator here. Emilia always sees and knows what the plot demands, screw all plausibility.

Which is also why the argument that showing both sides of the Chilean Civil War doesn't work as an excuse for this book. Supposedly, Emilia has to show us the government's side and Eric Whelan, her lover, the rebels' side. But in reality we only see superficial infodumps from mostly the government's side and some little chats Emilia has with the occasional rebels. Whelan is an excuse for a character, so poorly done it's surprising he's given a POV for just one chapter by the end (yes, this character really is that useless), when he's not needed at all. If he had to be given a POV, it should've been right after Emilia is fake-executed by the rebels to at least add a lick of suspense and have readers wondering what happened to Emilia. But no, why bother with complexity when you can do the trusty old Fake Death?

To me, that was the killing blow for the book. It would actually been an improvement if that had been true and Emilia was gone for good and the story was continued by Whelan after her execution.

It's easy to wish that because Emilia doesn't call for attachment, or emotional investment, at all. Her early life in California is told in a few pages and goes by so quickly, on top of it being another rehash of stuff the author already used in two other novels. Her rise as a writer of dime novels and later an investigative journalist are implausible, not because a woman wouldn't be able to (there were women novelists and journalists already) but because how easy and convenient Allende writes it. Emilia faces no challenge at all, because everything is solved for her, and she solves everything because Haha, Useless Men. Until it's time for men to save her in her most desperate hour. What a girlboss.

Seriously, Allende even contradicts her own plot coherence when she has Emilia be conveniently acknowledged and legitimised by her dying father, now a pious ex-rake, and has Paulina del Valle lecture her about how she's a "huacha" (pejorative Chilean idiom for an illegitimate child) but then Paulina says Aurora isn't a "huacha" because Severo married her seduced & abandoned mother and legitimised her as del Valle before her birth. What? But that's exactly what Emilia's stepfather did for her, too, so Emilia isn't a "huacha" either, not by law and not by morals. Ergo, the legitimisation of Emilia was pure plot convenience, and contradictory as well, it's either Aurora and Emilia are both legit or both aren't. It can't be either/or.

As for showing us the Chilean Civil War, it's done in a vapid and unattached travelogue style that doesn't make it possible for readers to care either way, and has the markings of just-barely-done secondhand research, as if someone did it for/passed it on to the author instead of her doing it personally. Is the government right? Are the rebels? Who the hell cares. Certainly not Emilia, who goes from one camp to another as a human camera registering snippets that add up to a nothingburger with infodumps for a sauce. There's not even a serious attempt at commentary about dictatorship vs democracy, upper class vs proletariat, state vs citizenry, church vs secularism. All we get is "then this happened, and this other said, and Chileans are like this, and Chileans do that, and the del Valles are on this side, and then that other thing happened." Pure description, all tell and more tell.

It's such a tedious travelogue down Nostalgia Lane masquerading as a new novel.

And what about the prose? Honestly, it's always been passable, and it didn't matter in the past because prose was never her forte; storytelling was. But when storycraft is bad here . . . I'm not sure if Isabel Allende wrote this novel in English, I know she writes in Spanish and always has, even though she does speak English. The ARC copy I have doesn't name a translator and the copyright notice for translation says Isabel Allende. Are we to assume she wrote this in English?

If so, that would account for the terrible turns of phrase found here. Meaning, idiomatic Spanish that got translated very literally into English, though not technically incorrect ot still sounds weird and reveals a non-native speaker. The idioms translated here made me laugh sometimes, because I know what they are like in Spanish, and I know what Isabel's writing is like in her native tongue. I don't know if she wanted to experiment with writing in English for the first time, or they just hired a different translator that wasn't as good as Margaret Peden (who was superb with Isabel's early books), but whatever the case, the language doesn't get good marks from me either.

Let go, Isabel. There won't be another "House of the Spirits." The history of the del Valles has been told in full already, and further books with them are only going to sully the legacy of this literary family as well as look like cash grabs. Let go, Isabel, and write about other things, go to therapy, get obsessed about non-Chile-nostalgia stuff, learn a new move from the Kama Sutra, etc., do whatever you wish but . . . please, let go.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Canadian Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My love affair with South America continues. I love learning of the culture, the people, the landscape. Allende does this exceptionally well. And in case you didn’t catch her name - it’s Emilia Del Valle.
And she’s quite the memorable character.

Late 1800’s on the cusp of a new century. Emilia was born to poverty having been the result of a one night stand. Her mother was going to be a nun! Simply Scandalous.
Emilia is bold and tenacious and wants to write. Not a popular career choice for a woman in these times. She gets hired as a journalist to report on the civil war in Chile and discreetly, to find her biological father.The war is brutal and barbaric. She survives, but barely. Once recovered, she is not yet ready to return to the states and continues on in this vividly beautiful country.

What worked: the setting of Chile and its majestic beauty; this brazen, bold woman not afraid to speak of injustices; learning of this civil war in Concon as I had no prior knowledge; but the clincher, that had me debating- as it was an extremely slow start- was the journey to the lush lands of Patagonia. Amazing.

I wasn’t sure you were going to pull this one off, Allende, but you won me over.
4.25 ⭐️

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

i came across this book 3 times, and each time i told myself it does not sound like my cup of tea. and then the 4th time i picked it up anyway.

i probably shouldn't have.

the History aspect of this was cool, but i think this would have been better as a young adult book.

if that were the case, i wouldn't have had to read these tough sex scenes, and the romance would have been glossed over, and the focus could have been more on the empowering nature of a female journalist in the 19th century, and i may have been able to ignore the lack of full characterization here.

in other words it would've solved all my problems.

i liked this at first, but after a while emilia's belief that she's always right got on my nerves. i felt bad for her mom, who has been through a lot more than emilia has and yet still has to deal with her condescendingly forgiving the villains of her life on her behalf. i hated reading about her stupid biological dad, when her stepdad is perfect. and i was most irritated of all by the unnecessary, sudden romance thrown in.

it also just kept...going...

bottom line: always trust your gut.

(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabel Allende approaches historical fiction with the craftsmanship of a cartographer depicting the world through lasting art that can also portray the lay of the land in contextual detail. Her latest offering, My Name is Emilia del Valle is a powerhouse of a page-turning story that expertly packs its pages into the carrying case of narrative and latches it up with such fine-tuned elegance that it never bulges or feels overly weighted down. In a narrative as ambitious as its titular heroine—of whom one must admit a lengthier title My Name is Emilia del Valle and I am a Stone Cold Badass—would be more fitting if you're not into the whole brevity thing—Allende illuminates the patriarchal world of late-1800s journalism in the US amidst larger global politics as the 1891 Chilean Civil War breaks out. Are there times when this feels all a bit too much and on the nose? Sure, probably. But did it work? Well…more or less, yea. Told through the travels of Emilia, the novel also delicately balances the personal with the political as her entanglement with the war for journalistic reasons opens the path to search out her Chilean aristocratic heritage. It makes for a gripping read while also covering a lot of socio-political, feminist, and historical theories of the past in ways that nudge the present. Almost miraculously capable of carrying its own formidable ambitions, My Name is Emilia Del Valle is a character-driven novel with a big heart of heroism in pursuit of truth that still tips more towards historical narrative than emotional resonance yet is an excellent read all the same.

‘I wanted to open myself up to the real world and all that it actually held, instead of only dreaming up stories about it.

From early market success as a dime-store novelist and ground-breaking journalist, proving women are as capable as men in the fields though having to publish both under the pseudonym of a man, Emilia Del Valle hits the ground running as an easily lovable and empathetic protagonist. The daughter of a former Irish Catholic nun who, after giving birth to Emilia, marries the man who raises Emilia with care as her father, Emilia has been raised around strong women and with claims of an aristocratic heritage through the bloodline of her Chilean father who denied his responsibility for her birth. She learns early that ‘no intelligent woman can trust that any man will protect her,’ which shapes her for the better into a strong, bold young woman willing to do what it takes to transform her aspirations into reality. Through Emilia’s eyes, Allende is able to craft criticisms of patriarchal gatekeeping that still holds true today but Emilia also exposes the loopholes that she is able to harness for her success.

‘Wealthy men hold the political and economic power, whereas their wives jealously control access to high society…
…We, on the other hand, those of us on the bottom, can slip into their lives undetected. We are invisible to them.’

Emilia has great success and is drawn to women who ‘excels in using men’s weaknesses to her outstanding advantage,’ which becomes an important key in a city where ‘the truth is often as slippery as soap and there are many ways to cover up a scandal.’ But raising oneself in ‘a city where morality is negotiable,’ hardens her for the worst that is yet to come.

‘I’m planning to write about the impunity extended to the wealthy and well-connected, the manipulation of truth, the partiality of justice, and the secrets of honorable men. I won’t name any names; it won’t be necessary.’

The book feels divided into two main segments with Emilia’s feminist awakening followed by the use of her hard-honed skills in the battlefields and prison cells of Chilean war. There is an incredible journalistic style that is able to deftly juggle the personal narrative with a broad-ranging exploration of social issues and politics and I greatly enjoyed the use of Emilia’s articles interspersed in the text. There is a journalist distance to the narrative that can come across as rather cold during the more emotionally charged sequences of the book, yet it also culminates into an overarching sentiment on standing strong for truth in the face of political frameworking that reverberates with more importance than the sum of its parts. There is, however, a bit of a Forest Gump historical representation vibe that can occasionally feel overly convenient on the lines of “this one person just happened to be present for all these historical moments.” Which is cool, don’t get me wrong, but seemed worth mentioning.

There are times where this felt a bit streamlined and mini-series friendly than her previous works, possibly to attract a wider audience. Perhaps it could be said that this felt like the YA Ruta Sepetys with sex scenes, which isn’t a bad thing but we already have Ruta Sepetys and this also didn’t feel like we got the Isabel Allende we know is possible. Was it still good though? Yea, I enjoyed reading this a lot. Still it seems this is worth considering.

“Do you fear the inferno, miss?” he asked me wryly.
“Yes. I fear the inferno of this world,” I replied.

The set-up for this novel is excellent and once it all slides so satisfactorily into place, Allende fires it off on a rip-roaring narrative full of twists and surprise feel-you-heart-drop moments as if it were as much a roller-coaster through history as it is a novel. The socio-political issues of the US in the early chapters are much like primers for deeper discourse on global imperialism and the plight of the common citizen caught in the gears of the power struggles of the rich and powerful. While the people of Chile rightfully believe ‘it was the governor's duty to listen to their demands instead of sending troops in to silence them,’ they also warn ‘the people have no power to decide anything and nothing to gain. We simply work, fight, and die.’ And Emilia’s presence as a journalist from the United States all the more spotlights the international chesswork of leaders to exploit other nations during political uncertainty and chaos (that they quite often help to orchestrate).

‘The United States aspires to control the natural resources in Latin America and cannot allow this small southern nation, motivated by patriotic fury, to manifest imperialist pretension.’
Or later:
‘The official story is the defense of democracy, but the real truth lies in the Chilean mineral deposits, controlled by the Brits..’

The novel is set in 1891 but this could be at any point in the 20th century for all intents and purposes. Emilia becomes the eyes through which Allende can show us the “behind-the-scenes” of the Civil War, from the opinions of leaders and generals to the heroisms of the “canteen girls” and nurses and Allende does not shirk from violence and devastation. This book really digs deep and does not hold back with several depictions of war atrocities and death that really hit hard in a way that feels earned and never carrying a suspicion of “trauma porn” or milking tragedy too much for easy emotional weight that I felt Kristin Hannah’s recent The Women was a rut that fell into on occasion.

‘No one who has experienced war is ever the same again; something fundamental changes inside upon witnessing the systematic cruelty and brutality of so much death. Innocence is forever lost. Nevertheless, love can be more powerful than horror.’

All this amidst a rather touching yet never overly sentimental story of a woman finding her birthright and discovering the man who fathered her is ‘dying of sadness over a wasted life,’ with the ‘worm of regret eating him up inside.’ While the later portions of the novel seem to start to unravel when you’re ready for it to be tied up into a conclusion, My Name is Emilia Del Valle was a rather engaging and all-around joy to read that makes any minor complaints feel beside the point. Isabel Allende never disappoints, and this was another excellent use of my reading time. I’ll always pick up one of her books when given the opportunity.

3.5/5

‘No one who has experienced war is ever the same again; something fundamental changes inside upon witnessing the systematic cruelty and brutality of so much death. Innocence is forever lost. Nevertheless, love can be more powerful than horror.’

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabel Allende brings her considerable talents to the page again with her most recent historical fiction book My Name is Emilia del Valle. Her ability to capture time and place and write fascinating, fully-developed characters - especially strong female protagonists, is exemplary.

Emilia del Valle is the product of a seductive encounter between her mother Molly Walsh, a devout Irish woman pursuing the religious life, and a wealthy Chilean aristocrat named Gonzalo Andres del Valle, who promptly moves on. While her mother harbors deep resentment towards Mr. del Valle, Emilia is raised instead by Francisco Claro, a wonderful, supportive stepfather who encourages her passion for writing.

Moving from writing dime store novels under a male pseudonym to working for a newspaper, Emilia uses her connection to Chile and her friend, fellow San Francisco journalist Eric Whelan, to convince her publishing editor to allow her to write about the growing Chilean War under her own name. He sends Eric to cover the war and assigns Emilia to cover human interest stories, though she desperately wants to be where the action is.

What follows is headstrong Emilia throwing herself into the midst of war and peril, covering the side of the current Chilean president, while Eric covers the side of the rebels. It’s fraught with danger, tension and graphic war detail, as she embeds herself closer and closer to the action, and I felt like I was right there with her. In the midst of this, she also finds her birth father and his extended family and discovers unexpected love.

Where the book worked best for me is the chapters before and after the war, where I could see Emilia’s relationships with certain characters more clearly and spend time getting to know them. I didn’t know how war-heavy and politically detailed the book was going to be for the bulk of the story, though, and I struggled more with those parts. It spares no detail on the brutalities of war, so if you’re sensitive to that, it won’t be the book for you.

It’s a vividly detailed, emotional story with wonderful writing and fascinating characters that I can recommend to fans of historical fiction, war stories and human drama. While I enjoyed it, I didn’t connect with Emilia quite as much as I’d hoped and found the war focus and lengthy chapters a little daunting, but Allende still managed to keep me turning those pages!

★★★ ½

Thanks to Random House Publishing - Ballantine, NetGalley and author Isabel Allende for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s out now.

[Angela M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabel Allende once again has given us a story of a strong woman, deeply connected to her family and culture, a story full of heart and courage depicting a piece of history of her native Chile. The story telling is alluring from the first page. Her writing is as usual mesmerizing with descriptions of places such as San Francisco, New York City to Valparaiso to Santiago that brought me right there. The depiction of events and the mores of the times and the people, not just the political situation in Chile gives a genuine feel for the time. In the late 1880’s when it’s unheard of for a female journalist to even have a byline other than for the gentler issues, Emilia del Valle is sent to Chile on assignment during the political upheaval of civil war. It’s a fascinating story of a young woman looking to make her place in the world and discover something about her roots as she seeks out her birth father at the same time .

The first person narrative gives it the feel of a memoir . We experience Emilia’s story first hand and intimately as she connects with the people she meets along the way, allowing us to make acquaintance with some interesting characters. It’s so much more than the story of a journalist, but of a young woman staking her claim in life and love . The sign of an impeccable translation is when you don’t feel as if you are reading it in translation. I originally gave this 4 stars and after thinking about it more as I write my thoughts , it’s deserving of 5 stars.

I received a copy from Random House through NetGalley .

[Terrie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get excited every time Isabel Allende has a new book coming out, knowing a strong, independent female character will be at the center of her novel...

My Name Is Emilia del Valle is no exception. Emilia is confident, unafraid, and talented. She is tall and beautiful, which is a plus when you are the only woman in a profession primarily held by men, and often the only woman in the room.

This book is written in a first-person narrative with the feel of a memoir. Emilia's thoughts are free-flowing, yet she cautiously holds back specific details, fearing her words could hurt someone dear to her. Emilia is searching for her place in the world and welcomes adventure in her endless pursuit.

The setting of the late 1800s feels authentically drawn, whether it takes the reader to San Francisco or various parts of Chile during the civil war. Allende's writing transports you there. The story explores themes of discovering your identity, understanding love and family, and realizing the devastating impact of war.

My name is Emilia del Valle has an ending that works. It is not a perfect ending, but it perfectly fits the main character, Emilia del Valle.

5⭐

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Isabel Allende for the gifted DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for a historical fiction book about a civil war in Chile in 1891. The author was born in Peru and raised in Chile. She now lives in the US. I have read and enjoyed two of her previous books. The protagonist is Emilia del Valle Claro. She establishes herself as an author under the pen name Brandon J. Price, first writing dime novels and then getting hired as a newspaper columnist. The editor agrees to send her and 1 other reporter, Eric Whelan, to Chile, to cover the civil war.
There was an actual civil war in Chile in 1891 and many of the events and persons in the book are actual historical figures, including the Chilean President, José Manuel Emiliano Balmaceda Fernández.
The war arose out of a dispute between the Chilean Congress and Balmaceda over who he could appoint to his cabinet. The army sided with the President and the navy supported the Congress.
The forces supporting the Congress won and there was a massacre of the President's supporters. Emilia participates in one of the battles as a nurse, while writing articles critical of the rebels from the Congress.
There are descriptions of people being killed in battles and in the massacre, but not overly graphic.
One quote by Emilia: "I no longer know what I witnessed and how much I only imagined; it is all a jumbled confusion of horror in my memory. I had never seen violence and death up close--nothing in my twenty-five years of existence had prepared me for so much barbarism, so much suffering."
The translation was excellent.
Thank you Amy Jackson at Random House Publishing Group for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#MyNameIsEmiliadelValle #NetGalley

Pub Date May 06 2025

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love Isabel Allende’s books. Happy to get a chance to read My Name is Emilia del Valle where independent Emilia ends up covering war in Chile. I found this incredibly engrossing and certainly is up there with The Women about the Horror of War. I actually think this is a much more Real Book. It is Heartbreaking and Heartlifting at the Same Time.

It is a Terrific Book. Love the Writing, love Emelia and all the characters she meets. Such an interesting look at Civil War in Chile in 1897 that I had no knowledge of. It’s always great to enjoy a book, be disturbed, and learn so much. This book delivered on all levels.

Highly Recommend if you can read difficult war scenes and are a fan of Historical Fiction. If you enjoy Isabel Allende, you are sure to love this one 🩷

Thank you Ballentine, and NetGalley for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.

[ZumoDeLibros (Mafalda) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunque la primera parte del libro me encantó, debo admitir que la novela en general me dejó con sentimientos encontrados. La parte central no logró cautivarme por completo, y eso le restó algo de fuerza al conjunto.
Sin embargo, sigo admirando la prosa de Isabel y su increíble habilidad para crear personajes memorables. En esta ocasión, siento que la historia no estuvo a la altura de su habitual nivel.
Mi opinión en YouTube sin spoilers:
https://youtu.be/sKlebHsaksE

[Ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 - 5 stars rounded up.
Emilia del Valle doesn’t have the most auspicious start in life when her wealthy Chilean father abandons her mother, Molly Walsh, before she is even born. However, when Molly marries, Emilia regards her stepfather as her true father. He encourages her with her desire to write, starting first with dime novels, published under the name of Brandon Price which she continues to use. Emilia persuades Mr. Chamberlain at The Examiner in San Francisco to take her her on as a journalist and she is able to prove herself. She’s offered the chance in 1891 to go to Chile where Civil War is brewing. This serves a dual purpose, it fulfils her enormous sense of adventure and will give her the chance to trace her birth father. She is to travel with fellow journalist Eric Whelan who has proved to be a good friend. What is Emilia heading into? Will she be able to pursue her journalistic dreams and in addition, discover the truth about Gonzalo Andres del Valle?

I’ve been a huge fan of Isabel Allende since I read The House of the Spirits years ago and she never fails to captivate me with her beautiful, descriptive writing. What an amazing character she has created in Emilia del Valle who tells her story in what has the feel of a memoir. I love her bold and brave spirit, that she is undaunted especially in this awful civil war she is reporting on. She’s a very independent woman, ahead of her time and she dares to be adventurous so that she can get to know Chile especially the more remote parts. Inevitably at times in this troubled political climate, there are occasions when she is extremely vulnerable but equally, it seems to bring out the best in her as she has such inner strength.

The part of Chilean history that this novel is set in has been very well researched and the author presents a fair and balanced story as the people of this beautiful country tear themselves apart again. In places the narrative of the civil war is brutal especially at the Battle of Concon which changes everything including Emilia because here she really suffers. Although it’s harsh, it’s emotional and moving too, not just the realistic and intense war scenes but also in relation to Emilia’s family.

This is also a love letter to Chile as is often the case with Isabel Allende’s books. As Emilia heads on her journey of self discovery and to find her sense of place, the story telling heads into the more remote south of the country. On occasions, there’s a sort of otherworldly feel to the story telling which I love.

This is an engaging, engrossing and emotional read centring on a woman who is ahead of her time. It shines a spotlight on another tragic part of Chilean history, on its society and its social mores as well as its heritage. There’s a wonderful sense of time and place, some descriptions that are almost poetic at times and it’s a superb translation from the original Spanish. If you love Isabel Allende then this is a must read.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bloomsbury Press for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[Michael Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Name to Remember

Isabel Allende has been called a literary legend. She ranks among the most important and influential contemporary novelists from Latin America, even being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2014. Her latest work, “My Name Is Emilia del Valle,” is an historical novel running from the Mission District in San Francisco to the Chilean Civil War of 1891.

Emilia del Valle was raised in San Francisco by her stepfather, Francisco Claro (Papo), who married her mother, Molly Walsh. Molly, a former novice nun, had become pregnant after falling in love with Gonzalo Andres del Valle, a wealthy Chilean aristocrat who subsequently abandoned her. Although Molly harbored a deep-seated resentment toward Gonzalo, Emilia's affection and regard for Papo overshadowed the absence of her biological father.

In the late 19th century, Emilia aspired to be a published writer, a virtually impossible feat for women at the time. As a teenager, she conspired with Papo to publish dime novels using a male pen name. Driven by her literary ambitions, she later secured a position as a human-interest columnist for The Daily Examiner under the pseudonym Brandon J. Price. It was here she met and developed a relationship with Eric Whelan, a reporter who was assigned the more “serious” stories. When civil war was brewing in Chile, the two reporters persuaded their editor to assign them, with Eric focusing on the war and Emilia on its human impact.

Prior to leaving, Emilia assures everyone she will take all the necessary precautions for her safety. She also begrudgingly swears to Molly that she will personally deliver a letter to her biological father; a letter Molly believes is filled with all the spite and bitterness her mother has harbored for years.

Once in Chile, Emilia meets with the President and his head general, her aristocratic aunt, and finally, her father. Amidst historical events and a romance, the vivid depictions of wartime brutality and the victors' vengeful actions profoundly impact Emilia. Shaken by the violence, she doesn't succumb but instead embarks on a quest for self-discovery. The novel emphasizes the transformative power of confronting harsh realities in the search for one's true self.

Drawing on her family's displacement following the 1973 coup d'état and the assassination of her cousin, President Salvador Allende, the author's flight from Chile to Venezuela resonates with the historical context of the 1891 Chilean Civil War. This personal experience of exile mirrors the historical backdrop explored in her writing.

Allende often features strong, fearless female protagonists, and Emilia del Valle in this novel is no different. Set in 1891, Emilia boldly confronts a male-dominated society in her search for fulfillment. In this quest to find her identity she makes some decisions that may seem self-centered and insensitive to those she loves, but these uncompromising choices would be considered admirable if made by a man.

This historical novel effectively portrays a nation's evolution, featuring compelling characters, especially Emilia's mother and stepfather, alongside memorable secondary figures. The author skillfully maintains a seamless pace across different settings, creating a unified narrative. The book excels in its depiction of historical context and character development.

I need to immerse myself in the works of Isabel Allende. This was quite a baptism.

Thank you to Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #MyNameIsEmiliadelValle #NetGalley

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the time I read House of the Spirits for the first time in junior/high school, I became a lifelong fan of Isabel Allende. As she enters the twilight of her career, Allende has now penned eighteen novels as well as memoirs and books for children. Like any writer who has endured as long as she has, some of these books have been outstanding, others duds, and some quality writing that still fall short of her best work. Storytellers will always have a story to tell, and Allende is one of the best of her generation, although that may be bias on my part. Her last book, The Wind Knows My Name, fell well short for me, and I hoped that that was not the book that ended her illustrious career. At this point, Allende has outlived her editor and translator, but she had at least one more story about her now famous Del Valle family left to tell. The del Valles are based on Allende’s grand and great grandparents and spawned multiple books starting with House of the Spirits. Her tales of Clara and Estaban Trueba lead to a movie and a trilogy of stories featuring various members of this clan dating back to the 1840s. Perhaps, there was a gap in the lineage or another famous family member meriting a novel. This is the story of Emilia del Valle, a daring woman who might be the most remarkable del Valle of them all.

In the 1880s, San Francisco, California is still a hamlet of under one hundred thousand residents. The city is divided into neighborhoods of Mexican, Chinese, Irish, and other immigrants who originally came to California in the 1840s in search of gold and fortune. Molly Walsh and her husband Francisco Claro live in the Mission, the city’s Mexican district. Molly is a story in her own right, a strong woman left behind by her father and brothers as they went off to find gold only to never return. Raised in an orphanage, Molly was destined to become a nun and teacher until she met Andres del Valle, who seduced her. A one time tryst, Molly found herself pregnant and left the convent, but found a willing husband in Francisco Claro, her co-teacher and mentor at the Aztec Pride School. Claro always wanted children but lived the life of a confirmed bachelor and over time became Molly’s loving husband. He was also the only father that Emilia del Valle ever knew, her Papo who loved her to death. With an eight year age gap between Emilia and her next closest in age sibling, Francisco, known as Pancho, took her to school at a young age, and encouraged her to follow her dreams. Emilia’s dream was to be a writer, but in the 1890s, few women enjoyed careers as writers. Many, even the most well known novelists, got their start by publishing under a man’s name. So Emilia del Valle writes as Brandon J Price and becomes a best selling dime novelist; however, she desired more, a career writing under her own name, which would put Emilia in select company, although few doubted her.

Throughout her life, Molly Walsh harbored hatred toward Andres del Valle. She wished that he would acknowledge his daughter as legitimate rather than as yet another huacho. The far thinking Molly, who over time established herself as a top baker in San Francisco and a legitimate businesswoman, wanted her daughter to receive an inheritance. The family never did without but with four children, money could never hurt. That was Molly’s dream, not Emilia’s, who just wanted to write and viewed Francisco as her father. As luck would have it, Emilia became a reporter at the San Francisco Examiner at a time when editors doubted that women could even write. She had to publish under Brandon J Price but Emilia’s writing ability was too good to ignore. I would have enjoyed this story more, perhaps, if Allende used Emilia’s profession as a jumping off point toward women’s suffrage, which was gaining steam in the 1890s; however, this is not her forte. Allende’s bread and butter is adventure stories taking place in either California or Chile, and this story centers around the Chilean civil war of 1891. She briefly touches on this skirmish in earlier books because Severo del Valle, father of Clara, fought in the conflict and became an amputee, yet still fathered seventeen children with his wife Nivea. Here, Emilia and the Examiner’s top reporter Eric Whelan are sent to cover the war and report on the American angle. It would involve frontline reporting and death, but this would not be an Allende story if it did not feature the glory days of Chile, and, of course, a budding romance.

Because the Examiner editor doubted womens’ abilities, he named Eric Whelan the war reporter and left Emilia to write human interest stories. Their stories overlap, and after working together for three years, romance bubbles underneath the surface. Emilia is determined to meet her father even if she has zero expectations and does not desire an inheritance; those are her mother’s dreams. Through her contacts, she gains an audience with Paulina del Valle, the woman who in Portrait of Sepia started a food shipping business and shares a granddaughter with Eliza Sommers and Tao Chi’en. Now Aurora has nearly come of age, and Allende continues to name del Valle women using white- Aurora, Nivea, et al- to symbolize purity. There is nothing pure about Paulina, a feisty old lady who still holds a place of high regard in Santiago’s upper crust of society. She is raising her granddaughter because all of her sons and nephews are good for nothings, and Emilia is hardly the only huacha among the del Valles. In hiding during the war, Paulina’s scenes serve as comic relief, only because she has become even more narcissistic and dramatic in her older age. Her role is to foster a meeting between Emilia and her father yet she is hardly a main character here. Allende’s books contain a web of characters, and there are so many del Valles that eventually some of them will turn up. Here is no different, although I was hoping for an encounter between Molly Walsh and Eliza Sommers in San Francisco, perhaps in later writing for if that is to occur, it would bring the del Valle immigration story full circle.

At heart Allende is a romantic. I would have appreciated it if Emilia and Eric maintained a platonic working relationship, allowing both of them to enjoy long careers as writers. Their love blooms in the midst of war as people are desperate for love and marriage. Emilia encounters strong women throughout the war. This is done by design because Allende writes of stronger female protagonists with men as necessary peripheral characters. In her older age, she does not have the heart to create any villains. The war is bloody and not for the feint of heart. The rebels or congressionalists overthrow the presidency. The war only takes eight months, and there are many casualties on both sides, mainly because medicine might have advanced but not to the point of avoiding death during routine amputations. The women Emilia meets are named canteen girls and they also put themselves on the front line, risking death, and some do die. These are the tales that Allende must have heard from her grandparents because, as aforementioned, Severo del Valle served in the war. Unlike many of the soldiers here, Severo survived amputation and went on to acquire riches from working in the mines. Because Emilia bares the surname del Valle, she is associated with the presidency and jailed for her “treasonous actions.” Because of her association with the del Valle clan, she is also able to get out of jail, Paulina del Valle believing herself to be the hero, as clearly she was the most illustrious del Valle of them all.

Isabel Allende is at her best when she writes stories featuring magical realism set in Chile. There are only two scenes employing magical realism here, but they are important to overall story development. Perhaps, all Allende needed to do was return to the del Valles and weave another memorable story out of an otherwise minor character. Some readers note that the tale of Emilia del Valle is the story of Eliza Sommers in reverse or Allende repeating the same saga from House of the Spirits. This is where I differ. Emilia’s story takes place nearly fifty years after Eliza Sommers sailed to America. She is a contemporary of Paulina, not Emilia. The illustrious del Valles stemming from Severo and Nivea are only mentioned in passing and no where can readers find Barabas the dog or tables communicating with spirits. Covadonga the dog is not as magical as Barabas but she is smart and plays a key role in her own right. Allende writes of Emilia as a modern woman who wants to be a writer under her own byline. Like the author, she will always have a story to tell and would not allow marriage to impede her would be career. Romance, magic, and nostalgia of older Chile and California are all the elements of Allende when she is at her best. While this is not House of the Spirits, nothing is, I no longer have a bad taste in my mouth from her last book. If as a storyteller, Isabel Allende is always going to have a tale to tell, she should stick to the del Valles and weave more stories of their illustrious history.

4.5 stars

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blurb
"In San Francisco in 1866, an Irish nun, abandoned following a torrid relationship with a Chilean aristocrat, gives birth to a daughter named Emilia del Valle. Raised by a loving stepfather, Emilia grows into an independent thinker and a self-sufficient young woman.

To pursue her passion for writing, she is willing to defy societal norms. At the age of seventeen, she begins to publish pulp fiction using a man’s pen name. When these fictional worlds can no longer satisfy her sense of adventure, she turns to journalism, convincing an editor at The Daily Examiner to hire her. There she is paired with another talented reporter, Eric Whelan.

As she proves herself, her restlessness returns, until an opportunity arises to cover a brewing civil war in Chile. She seizes it, as does Eric, and while there, she meets her estranged father and delves into the violent confrontation in the country where her roots lie. As she and Eric discover love, the war escalates and Emilia finds herself in extreme danger, fearing for her life and questioning her identity and her destiny.

A riveting tale of self-discovery and love from one of the most masterful storytellers of our time, My Name Is Emilia del Valle introduces a character who will never let hold of your heart."

My Thoughts
I am not going to lie...I'm so disappointed. 😭

Before I go through what I disliked about this book, I will try to be positive and share what I did like about it. First off, the cover is literally SOOO pretty! 😍 It's one of the things that drew me in. Next, the first...I'd say...30% of the book was quite interesting, and I was excited to see where it was going. Emilia's story and fearless nature were a great foundation for a captivating story.

But, honey, I read a book to be shown and not told!! This alone knocked a star off. I get it. It's supposed to be a memoir-type book, but I'd like some prose, just some...thing! Maybe it's because I'm not familiar with the author's style of writing, but I think it's safe to say that I did not like it. It felt more like a newspaper article rather than a moving novel.

Do I think Isabel Allende is a bad author? Absolutely not. I think if I read another one of her more notable books, then maybe I'll feel differently about her writing style. I don't think this book is for me.

The characters were also kinda bland. 🫣 Emilia annoyed me at times with her girl-boss attitude, the other characters felt disconnected from the story, and Eric...who even was Eric? I need character development! Give me the good, the bad, and the ugly so I can feel like I am reading about real people. The characters had flaws and trials, sure, but why did they have them? How do these attributes and circumstances contribute to the story? If there is no reason, then it is all completely unnecessary. What the characters needed was depth, and if they had it, then this book would have been a million times better!

And the romance? We don't know her. There was no reason for Emilia to fall in love because there was no evidence of it ever blossoming whenever she was with her lover. She just said she was in love. Okay. Great. When, where, how, and why? Her love for a certain someone-someone is baseless. Does Emilia even have feelings at this point?

As a history-lover, you would think that all the information and events surrounding the Chilean civil war would interest me, but it didn't. I could have watched a Crash Course video about the conflict, where I'd be at least a little bit entertained.

Do I hate this book? No. Would I recommend it to you? Yes, because your taste in books could be completely different from mine, and I honestly hope you love it. This book just wasn't for me, but I'm glad I got to read from an author I am not familiar with.

Content Warnings
death, war violence, nudity, mentions of classism, sexism, and misogyny

Thank you to Ballantine Books for providing an e-arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.

#MyNameisEmiliadelValle #NetGalley

[Constantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Historical Fiction + Literary Fiction

My Name is Emilia del Valle is a historical novel set in 1866 in San Francisco. It follows the protagonist Emilia right before her birth and how her mother got pregnant with her when she was an Irish nun. Her Chilean aristocrat father didn’t want to do anything with her or with her mother.

When Emilia grows up, she starts writing stories and novels under a male pen name. And then she ends up writing a column in The Daily Examiner under the guidance of Eric Whelan, a reporter who becomes her mentor. Their work collaboration and partnership get stronger with time.

When an opportunity arises for a reporter to go to her dad’s homeland, Chile, which is on the brink of a civil war, Emilla signs up for it, and she gets a new contract where she can now write under her real name instead of a male pen name. Eric becomes her partner in this mission, and the two find themselves in very dangerous situations. Being there will also give Emilia the chance to search for her father and his family.

The story is narrated in the first-person style from Emilia’s perspective, and through her voice, we follow her journey, which shows how a person can grow and mature in the most difficult circumstances. If you love stories with a strong female protagonist, then this novel is the one for you.

This is the third book I've read by the author, following the highly enjoyable Violetta and The Wind Knows My Name. Like those two, this story is deep with a rich historical setting, especially the parts that take place in Chile. The author did an excellent job showing the tension and the very tense mood of the people during that time.

I'm unsure how historically accurate the book is since I haven't read anything about Chile before, but the author presents things in a very realistic and believable way. The story encompasses themes such as coming of age, feminism, and the search for one’s identity and roots. Allende’s prose and exceptional storytelling enhance its richness.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publication Date May 5, 2025

My Name is Emilia del Valle: A Novel was such an engrossing historical fiction novel by one of my favorite authors for so many years, Isabel Allende. I found myself immersed in this beautiful saga where in 1866 an Irish nun gives birth to a daughter named Emilia del Valle after being abandoned following a relationship with a Chilean aristocrat. But Emilia is raised by a loving stepfather fostering in her independent thinking. It is because of this that this fiercely independent woman turns to journalism convincing The Daily Examiner to hire her. It is at that point that she is paired with another equally talented reporter, Eric Whelan. As the civil war in Chile simmers, both reporters gravitate to the action. But it is here that Emilia del Valle meets her father and begins to explore her roots as the war escalates and she begins to fall in love with Eric. As the saga continues one appreciates the storytelling gifts of Isabel Allende as well as her beautiful and poetic prose.

A special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced readers copy.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

We should all journey like Emilia to truly find ourselves at least once in our life.

My Name Is Emilia del Valle is a deep exploration of self-discovery, set against the vivid backdrop of 19th-century societal constraints and the turbulence of the Chilean Civil War. While the historical setting and Allende's characteristic attention to detail provide rich texture to the narrative, the real heart of the story lies in Emilia's personal journey. Her determination to defy convention and carve out her identity is inspiring, and her growth resonates deeply; I especially loved the ending and her final journey. Her ultimate message is clear: we must all embark on our own journeys of understanding the inner truths that shape our destinies.

Thanks to Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Name Is Emilia del Valle - Isabel Allende



قرأت عدّة روايات لايزابيل الليندي ولكن لم أقرأ لها منذ وقت طويل؛ آخر ما قرأت كان كتاب السيرة باولا، وهو عمل مؤثر وحزين ..
هذه الرواية تعيد لي ذكريات قراءة ابنة الحظ تحديدًا وصورة عتيقة وبيت الأورواح تاليًا...



*حرق:
وربما تتقاطع الرواية مع ابنة الحظ وصورة عتيقة لظهور شخصيات من تلك الروايات في أحداث هذه الرواية. ولأن الأحداث تقع في نفس وقت أحداث رواية يوسا: حرب نهاية العالم فإن هناك مرور عابر لتلك الأحداث..
...


الرواية كانت جيدة وممتعة وعن النساء وأحلامهن ودورهن المجتمعي في أمريكا وتشيلي وتركز على الحرب الأهلية التي وقعت في تشيلي في نهاية القرن التاسع عشر وصراع الارستقراطيين مع الطبقات الأخرى على الحكم والدولة.. لكن وجدتها مبسطة وبلا عمق تقريبًا وهي مشكلة تعاني منها روايات كثيرة مؤخرًا..

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In My Name Is Emilia del Valle, Isabel Allende proves once again that she is a master storyteller. Few can rival her sense of time, place, and fully fleshed out characters. It is 1891 in San Francisco, and Emilia had written dime novels under a man's name. She convinces the editor of The Daily Examiner to give her a column. Her work takes her to New York City, and when she has a chance to cover the Civil War in Chile, she jumps at the chance to go. Emilia utilizes the opportunity to find her birth father and learn more of her Chilean roots. Her stepfather is very close to her and has given her independence, confidence, and an adventurous spirit.

Emilia is unique for her time as a working woman who travels for work. I loved her character, and her coming of age story is tasteful and unique. Allende's prose is magical and immersive. I felt that I traveled with Emilia on her journey. Her time in Chile is especially poignant and beautiful. Learning about the history of Chile was fascinating to me and informative. I would like to explore more of Allende's backlist and immerse myself in more intriguing stories and characters. I highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing - Ballantine Books, and Isabel Allende for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the late 1800’s a young Hispanic woman travels to Chile to report on the Civil War for her San Francisco newspaper. She also hopes to learn more about her estranged father and her roots there.
While in Chile her journey of self discovery changes her life forever.

This is an interesting story, but it did seem to drag on at times. I think it could’ve been shortened a bit without losing much of the storyline.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

Feeling slightly unfulfilled after reading this book about Emilia del Valle and the Chilean civil war.

Isabel Allende returns with My Name is Emilia del Valle, a stirring novel that breathes life into a fierce heroine amidst the tumult of the Chilean Civil War. This time, Allende brings us the story of Emilia del Valle, a young woman caught between two worlds—her Chilean roots and the Irish upbringing of her stepfather—as she forges a path as a writer in a man’s world.

Emilia’s journey begins in San Francisco, where she dreams of breaking through as a writer for the Examiner. Surrounded by men paid more to cover “hard” news, Emilia endures the expectations that women stick to “softer” topics like fashion and home life. But her ambitions won’t let her settle. Determined to cover meaningful stories, she’s drawn to the revolution unfolding in her father’s homeland, Chile—a war both historical and deeply personal to Allende herself, I’m sure. . I really enjoyed reading about San Francisco in the late 1800s - I just wished there was a little bit more of the historical side added to the book. It was interesting to read about the Mission District, a place I am familiar with.

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.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad that isabel Allende has returned to what she does best. Presenting a slice of history, vividly told and well researched, enhanced by the personal element in this case a headstrong, independent woman using her talent as a journalist to travel to Chile from San Francisco to come face to face with a father she never knew. In our Euro-centric system, little is learned of the history of South America, and this account of the Chilean civil war of 1891 is brought to life realistically. In fact, the set pieces of the battles are so well wrought, it is sometimes hard to read. If the main character is a little thin sometimes, it can be forgiven in the all over excellence of the background.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabel Allende's new work of historical fiction is the story of a woman named Emilia del Valle, written in memoir style. Emilia starts out her story on the day she turns seven on April 14, 1873, when her mother has her portrait taken and then tries to get in to see the man she claims is her daughter's father, Gonzalo Andrés del Valle.

Emilia grew up in San Francisco, raised by her mother, Molly Walsh, and her stepfather, the teacher Francisco Claro, but is always aware that some of her inherited roots are in Chile.

Emilia becomes a published writer at an early age, under an assumed male name, and eventually she talks her way into a job in journalism. When the chance comes to cover a civil war in Chile in 1891, her sense of adventure leads her where no sane person would want to go. I would describe Amelia as strong and smart, stubborn and brave, but taking many chances and thoughtlessly putting herself in danger. A quite remarkable woman, especially for the period of time in which she lived when women's lives were so restricted.

I found the parts of the story set in Chile to be the most interesting. We here in the USA are rarely taught about the history of South American countries. Allende does a remarkable job of describing the horrors of civil war, inspired by political and ideological differences. Oh, what mankind is capable of! Her love for the country of Chile shines through, with lush descriptions of some of the unspoiled lands to the south in stark contrast to the destruction of war-torn areas.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[librosgatosyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado. Siempre disfruto los libros de Isabel, tienen de todo un poco, risas y drama. Siento eso eso si, que este libro tiene mas drama que risas.
La protagonista es una mujer fuerte, aventurera, sin miedos a enfrentar cada desafío que se propone, pero también los que van saliendo en el camino, siempre se las arregla para salir adelante de una forma u otra.
Me llamó la atención la forma de enfrentarse a pruebas muy fuertes, que no sé si cualquiera estuviera preparada para eso, pero a Emilia algo la impulsaba, como un bichito interno.
Hay muchas frases bonitas como siempre, pero también hay algunas que me parecen reconocer de otros libros, y también parte de una historia pero con otros nombres. No me molesta, para nada, todo lo contrario, reconozco en ello a Isabel, su propia historia.
Y bueno, eso me pasa porque ya he leído todos sus libros, reconozco su pluma, sus palabras, sus frases en cualquier parte.
Mi querida Isabel Allende, amo todo lo que escribes, ojalá sigas por muchos años más escribiendo historias y tu voz se siga escuchando, siempre tienes algo que enseñarnos, lo dices entre líneas en tus libros y yo lo veo 👀🙌🏼💖

[Maria Yankulova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Мисля, че съм сред големите и най-ранни и заклети фенове на Алиенде, но не мога да си затворя очите и да кажа, че това е добър роман. Още с първите страници усетих, че това е от онези истории, които идват до нас, просто защото на 8 януари Алиенде сяда и започва да пише нова книга, както традицията повелява. С всяка страница усещането ми за “това вече съм го чела” нарастваше. Нито, сюжета, нито героите ми станаха интересни - добре ще го напиша скучни и банални са. Нито войната в Чили (за която сме чели неведнъж, особено в “Портрет в Сепия”,) нито връзказата с фамилията дел Валие, нито феминистичния уклон в изграждането на образа на Емилия ме развълнуваха. Всичко ми се стори овехтяло и изтупано от прах… жалък опит за пренаписване на стари истории.

След няколко силни романа бих казала, че това е заглавието, което застава редом до “Отвъд зимата” като едно от най-големите ми разочарования сред творчетвото на чилийската писателка. Много си личи, когато се пише, защото трябва и вдъхновението липсва. Няма да спра да чета Алиенде, но се надявам да видим нешо по-вълнуващо като сюжет и герои.

[Vesela]

Стигнах с отегчение до 150стр. и я оставям недовършена. Една книга, написана много внимателно по схемата на останалите романи на Алиенде. Да, без съмнение точният алгоритъм е спазен, но липсва чувство, липсва топлина и обич към героите. Един роман-сираче, който мога да оприлича на безпристрастна журналистическа хроника. Роман без душа , написан сухо, дистанцирано и очевидно по задължение. Ами, жалко... А толкова много се зарадвах като разбрах за тази книга! То дори едно просто ястие не става вкусно, ако спазиш чинно всичко по рецептата и сложиш всички подправки, но пропуснеш личното отношение и най-главната съставка - любовта.
Оценка няма да слагам.

[Armonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sería 3.5. Me gustó mucho el inicio, recordé a la Isabel de aquellos primeros libros inolvidables, pero después se va a la guerra y sus horrores, bastante detallados. Luego para rematar , ese viaje tan fantástico , increíble y poco oportuno. Esta mujer aventurera, que se dice práctica , de pronto es romántica e idealista y se embarca en ese viaje inútil y lleno de peligros, pero como siempre, encuentra gente que le ayuda y nunca le sucede nada. Muchas cosas inverosímiles, prefería la fantasía y la magia de sus primeros libros.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabel Allende é uma contadora de histórias de mão cheia.

Em O Meu Nome é Emilia del Valle, a autora regressa ao território que domina: o das mulheres que se fazem a si mesmas, num mundo que insiste em dizer-lhes quem devem ser. A protagonista, filha de uma noviça irlandesa e de um aristocrata chileno, cresce entre dois mundos — o da devoção e o da rebeldia — e aprende desde cedo que o destino das mulheres só muda quando elas próprias o escrevem.

Emilia é uma personagem curiosa e com sede de liberdade, uma alma indomável. Começa como romancista escondida atrás de um pseudónimo masculino, mas acaba por encontrar a sua verdadeira voz no jornalismo, ao lado do colega Eric Whelan. Juntos, partem para o Chile em plena guerra civil — e é nesse cenário de destruição e descoberta que Emilia confronta o passado, o amor e o sentido de pertença.

O livro não traz grandes surpresas, mas compensa com a delicadeza dos afectos e com a força das convicções. Há aqui ecos das grandes heroínas de Allende: livres, indóceis, criadas pela força das palavras.

Foi um tempo bem passado. A história é cativante, as personagens têm densidade emocional e o enredo oferece uma boa combinação de romance, aventura e reflexão. Não é a obra mais arrebatadora de Allende, mas é uma leitura sólida, bonita e inspiradora.

[Marius Citește · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roman istoric dar și de dragoste ce oferă o viziune complexă asupra Războiului civil din Chile (1891), prezentând mișcările populare, crizele economice și dinamica puterii.
Acțiunea cărții începe în San Francisco, în anul 1866, unde o fostă călugăriță irlandeză, Molly Walsh, rămâne însărcinată cu un aristocrat chilian. Fata ei, Emilia del Valle, este crescută de părintele ei vitreg mexican, Francisco Claro, și dezvoltă un puternic simț al independenței și ambiției, în special în domeniul scrisului. Devine scriitoare si publică romane sub un pseudonim masculin, înainte de a deveni jurnalistă. Spiritul ei aventuros o determină să se ofere voluntară pentru a relata despre războiul civil din Chile, împreună cu colegul ei, Eric Whelan.
Pasajele care descriu bătăliile la care este martoră Emilia sunt foarte vii și te duc cu gândul la scrierile lui M.V.Llosa.

Recomand.

[Cristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

No me ha gustado, muy tedioso y con poco argumento.
Lo he terminado sin ningún tipo de interés.
Los ��ltimos libros de la autora van de mal en peor, nada que ver con sus orígenes.
La casa de los espíritus seguramente sea mi libro favorito, y no parece ni escrito por la misma persona.