Kevin’s review of The House of the Spirits > Likes and Comments

Nice review! Never read this one but heard a lot about it!

Trish wrote: "Nice review! Never read this one but heard a lot about it!"

Thanks for reading!
I'm such a fan of magical realism and cannot believe how late I was to the Allende party. She's also an intelligent, multi-lingual, plain-speaking feminist. Just your kind of author, Trish!

Well, talking about late to the party: I'm the queen of being late to parties! I read Harry Potter when I was an adult (yes, I'm regretting it) because I wanted to avoid the hype.
*lol* She being "my type" of author depends on what kind of "feminist" she is. I've learned that there are many who just take it far too far and I don't like that one bit.

Awesome review Kevin! It's been on my list :)

Trish wrote: "Well, talking about late to the party: I'm the queen of being late to parties! I read Harry Potter when I was an adult (yes, I'm regretting it) because I wanted to avoid the hype.
*lol* She being "..."

Oh no, she's not that type of feminist at all.
In fact, if the book was sent to me without the cover, I'd have assumed it to be written by a man, such was the chauvinism and misogyny on parade!

Karen wrote: "Awesome review Kevin! It's been on my list :)"

Thanks for reading my review, Karen!
I know how ginormous your list is, so I won't burden you with a recommendation, but I really enjoyed this one.

Kevin wrote: "Oh no, she's not that type of feminist at all.
In fact, if the book was sent to me without the cover, I'd have assumed it to be written by a man, such was the chauvinism and misogyny on parade!"

BWAHAHAHAHA, not sure that is better advertisement. ;)

Kyra*Ashgreninja* wrote: "lolz leave to a woman to do a mans job right"

I think you're right, Kyra!
Thanks for taking the time to read my review!

Great review, Kevin. She's an extraordinary writer whom I just discovered as well. So excited to know she has a few more out there!

Jen wrote: "Great review, Kevin. She's an extraordinary writer whom I just discovered as well. So excited to know she has a few more out there!"


I loved your review too, Jen!
Thanks for reading mine. : )

Kevin, In reading this I would suspect that you are ... lukewarm? ... about Allende? : ) Excellent review, branded with your own wonderful realismo. It goes on the To Read shelf immediately, for somewhere in all my books, she has been hiding for a decade.

I loved this review, insightful and entertaining! I'd never thought to compare the experience of Sipowicz to Trueba, but I see it. And I agree, NYPDB was so exceptionally well done. A good trip down memory lane, thank you!

Great review Kevin. I'm looking forward to this one!

Julie wrote: "Kevin, In reading this I would suspect that you are ... lukewarm? ... about Allende? : ) Excellent review, branded with your own wonderful realismo. It goes on the To Read shelf immediately, for so..."

Oh I'm not lukewarm about Allende, Julie. She really can write a memorable story.
If there is any hint of reservation in my words it's because she is in the shadow of Gabriel García Márquez, whose work, in my humble opinion, is unparalleled.

Victoria wrote: "I loved this review, insightful and entertaining! I'd never thought to compare the experience of Sipowicz to Trueba, but I see it. And I agree, NYPDB was so exceptionally well done. A good trip dow..."

That's fantastic, Victoria! I was hoping that at least one person would 'get' the Sipowicz link.
From a writerly point of view, NYPDB was a triumph.
There was one scene, where Bobby has died and he's up on a rooftop with his father and his pigeons that was pure art. Memorable!
Thanks for reading!

Melanie wrote: "Great review Kevin. I'm looking forward to this one!"

Thanks, Melanie!

Kevin wrote: "Julie wrote: "Kevin, In reading this I would suspect that you are ... lukewarm? ... about Allende? : ) Excellent review, branded with your own wonderful realismo. It goes on the To Read shelf immed..."

I was just being cheeky, Kevin, because your review was so delightfully effusive. I'll have to dial back on the chaffing. : )

Wowza! I've often heard Allende called Garcia Marquez Lite. You've convinced me to read this, Kevin! I had always planned to, and then the movie came out and bombed so drastically. Anyhow I will trust you and your hilarious, I'm sure spot on references to The Addams Family and NYPD Blues!

This is one of those books I began reading when I was too young, and then abandoned. Wonder if it would speak to me now? Your review is certainly encouraging.

Excellent review, Kevin, thank you!
Sounds like this story has it all - epic plot, great writing, strong characters, a smart reveal of humanity. Adding it - thanks!!
P.S. I loved NYPD Blue, too!

Julie wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Julie wrote: "Kevin, In reading this I would suspect that you are ... lukewarm? ... about Allende? : ) Excellent review, branded with your own wonderful realismo. It goes on the To Re..."

No, don't ever dial back on the chaffing, Julie. I like it too much!

Glenn wrote: "Wowza! I've often heard Allende called Garcia Marquez Lite. You've convinced me to read this, Kevin! I had always planned to, and then the movie came out and bombed so drastically. Anyhow I will tr..."

Thanks, Glenn!
The Marquez-lite tag is apt; his shoes are just impossible to fill, so if you have more of his to read, please do that first.
Marquez at all times goes hell for leather on the 'magical' throttle, whereas Allende eases off and then sedately relaxes into the 'realism' side of things.
I prefer Marquez, but Allende's writing is clever and laced with symbolism. There are more metaphors and dichotomies than you could shake a bookmark at!

Christine wrote: "This is one of those books I began reading when I was too young, and then abandoned. Wonder if it would speak to me now? Your review is certainly encouraging."

Thank you, Christine!
If you are encouraged enough to give this book another try, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Anne wrote: "Excellent review, Kevin, thank you!
Sounds like this story has it all - epic plot, great writing, strong characters, a smart reveal of humanity. Adding it - thanks!!
P.S. I loved NYPD Blue, too!"

Thanks for reading my comments, Anne!
From a writer's point of view, NYPDB's intelligent character-driven drama was a cut above the rest. I was on Sipowicz's intriguing journey from start to finish and went from hating to loving him. That's what happens when there's a synergy of great writing and great acting. Denis Franz's 'odious to charming' character was one of the best that I can recall on a TV show.

Deliciously wonderful review, Kevin, I was debating a book or so ago on starting this, but decided to wait until this crazy holiday weekend was passed. I have not read any Allende, I'm so delighted that you managed to read this just when I needed it!

Kevin wrote: "Anne wrote: "Excellent review, Kevin, thank you!
Sounds like this story has it all - epic plot, great writing, strong characters, a smart reveal of humanity. Adding it - thanks!!
P.S. I loved NYPD ..."

And then he got the girl!

Cheri wrote: "Deliciously wonderful review, Kevin, I was debating a book or so ago on starting this, but decided to wait until this crazy holiday weekend was passed. I have not read any Allende, I'm so delighted..."

"Deliciously wonderful."
I'll settle for that any day of the week, Cheri.
Thank you!

Anne wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Anne wrote: "Excellent review, Kevin, thank you!
Sounds like this story has it all - epic plot, great writing, strong characters, a smart reveal of humanity. Adding it - thanks!!
P.S...."

Aww, that photo makes me miss NYPDB even more!
Thanks, Anne!

Kevin wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Anne wrote: "Excellent review, Kevin, thank you!
Sounds like this story has it all - epic plot, great writing, strong characters, a smart reveal of humanity. Adding it - ..."

Here's a video link to what's been called the best episode ever of NYPD Blue. Enjoy!! :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaeyU...

“Heart and Souls,” aired November 24, 1998

One of the most talked about books in the genre of Magical realism. Terrific review, Kevin! Those 5 stars have bumped this title up my TBR pile.

Ritwik wrote: "One of the most talked about books in the genre of Magical realism. Terrific review, Kevin! Those 5 stars have bumped this title up my TBR pile."

Too kind, Ritwick!
Allende is something special, but she does pale in comparison to Gabriel García Márquez, who I know is a firm favourite of yours.
Thank you for reading my review.

Oh, my! Fantastic review but you really won me over with the mention of Sipowicz!

Lela wrote: "Oh, my! Fantastic review but you really won me over with the mention of Sipowicz!"

Really kind, Lela.
So pleased that you're also a fan of Sipowicz's character.
It's testament to the skill of the writers (and Denis Franz's acting) that I started off detesting him, but by the end grew to love him. Truly wonderful stuff!

Excellent review, Kevin! I read it many years ago and really enjoyed it. L.

Lizzy wrote: "Excellent review, Kevin! I read it many years ago and really enjoyed it. L."

Thanks, Lizzy!
Yep, great book, clever author.

Great review, Kevin. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is one of my all-time favorite authors. He's had a major influence on me. I've not previously been acquainted with Allende, but clearly now is the time to begin. What would you suggest I start with? Her first book? You know how I rely on you.

Roberta wrote: "Great review, Kevin. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is one of my all-time favorite authors. He's had a major influence on me. I've not previously been acquainted with Allende, but clearly now is the time t..."

Thanks, Roberta!
This was my first Allende read, so I can only recommend >this< one.
Her style is a bit watered down when compared to Márquez, but I found it an enjoyable read nonetheless.

Went through a period when all I was reading was south and Central American novels, and Allende was a favourite author. Loved this so much that I read almost everything she wrote. Didn't enjoy all as quality became variable. Your review is brilliant, particularly enjoyed some of your analogies as I would never have thought of them!!!! xx

Paromjit wrote: "Went through a period when all I was reading was south and Central American novels, and Allende was a favourite author. Loved this so much that I read almost everything she wrote. Didn't enjoy all ..."

Thanks, Paromjit! x
Allende is great, but I still prefer Marquez.
Also, Louis de Bernieres' South American trilogy is something to behold.
I love magical realism! : )

Terrific review! To think, I've never read Allende's work yet!

Lata wrote: "Terrific review! To think, I've never read Allende's work yet!"

Thanks, Lata!
I had a sneak peak to see which of your books might be comparable.
You loved The Shadow of the Wind, which has a similar vibe.
: )

Amazing review!

Marquez is one of my all-time favorites. To show what an influence he had on me, my novel Killing Time incorporates magical realism in a large way.

Dorreh wrote: "Amazing review!"

Thanks, Dorreh! Most kind.

Roberta wrote: "Marquez is one of my all-time favorites. To show what an influence he had on me, my novel Killing Time incorporates magical realism in a large way."

Same here, Roberta.
Marquez is one of my biggest influences too.
- Not sure you should be promoting your book on here though. : (

Oh. Is mentioning it in a context like this regarded as "promoting"? Been in Goodreads just a few months, still learning the ropes and rules.

Roberta wrote: "Oh. Is mentioning it in a context like this regarded as "promoting"? Been in Goodreads just a few months, still learning the ropes and rules."

Not sure how strict Goodreads is, but it is frowned upon, as set out in the guidelines.
Personally, I never mention my work unless someone asks about it first.
I shouldn't worry, Roberta, I think you would have to be far more blatant to fall foul of the Goodreads moderators! : )

That's a brave opening quotation for a review. At one level, the importance of educating and empowering girls is widely acknowledged as a major way to stimulate progress, especially in developing countries, but the way Allende frames it almost seems to let me off the hook.

The rest of your review is a much lighter confection, and I enjoyed it very much. I must try Allende one of these days. But not yet. I need something darker next.

Cecily wrote: "That's a brave opening quotation for a review."

I think that Allende describes herself as a "raging feminist," but her portrayal of empowered women, while also depicting Latino machismo, divides staunch feminists.
In her defence, I believe that you can't further the cause of feminism by writing about strong, emancipated women living in a world of wussy men.

And thanks for the kind comment, Cecily!

She can, of course, describe herself however she likes, but "raging" is perhaps playing into the hands of detractors. I certainly agree that writing about "wussy men" is no help to anyone. Feminism shouldn't be about bashing men, but about raising awareness and opening minds, to create a more equal society.