Retrato en Sepia: Una Novela (Spanish Edition) [Paperback]

Isabel Allende (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 2002

A finales del siglo XIX en Chile, Aurora del Valle sufre de un trauma brutal que borra de su mente los primeros cinco aÑos de su vida. Criada por su ambiciosa abuela, Paulina del Valle, crece en un ambiente privilegiado, pero se ve atormentada por horribles pesadillas. Cuando debe afrontar la traiciÓn del hombre que ama, y la soledad, decide explorar el misterio de su pasado.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the heart of this literary portrait is memory. Chilean writer Allende's new novel, skillfully crafted as the eloquent memoir of Aurora del Valle, captivates with its lyrical prose. Its enchanting characters engage in a vigorous quest for life's passions and family truths. Allende closes a trilogy with this novel, continuing story lines and characters from Hija de la Fortuna (Daughter of Fortune) and La casa de los esp¡ritus (The House of Spirits). Her tradition of braiding history and fiction through strong women characters is still intact. Framed by the social histories of San Francisco, CA, and Santiago, Chile, at the birth of the 20th century, Aurora's tale begins with her birth and flows forward and backward in time, piecing together the stories and secrets of her affluent Chilean family. Aurora recounts not only the family stories she needs for self-definition but also the history of her world's sociopolitical landscape: Chile's 1891 Civil War and the beginning of the California feminist movement and burgeoning xenophobia. This striking portrait highlights the nuanced shading of life's memories, which cannot be so easily forgotten. Already a best seller in Spain and Latin America, Allende's latest is highly recommended for all libraries and bookstores. [After July 3, Retrato will be available from Harper Rayo, ISBN 0-06-6211-60-3. Ed.] Silvia Heredia, Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"Allende is a unique and staggering storyteller..."
-- Boston Globe (Boston Globe ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Rayo (October 22, 2002)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 0060936355
• ISBN-13: 978-0060936358
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Peru and raised in Chile, Isabel Allende is the author of eight novels, including, most recently, Zorro, Portrait in Sepia, and Daughter of Fortune. She has also written a collection of stories; three memoirs, including My Invented Country and Paula; and a trilogy of children's novels. Her books have been translated into more than twenty-seven languages and have become bestsellers across four continents. In 2004 she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Isabel Allende lives in California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Otra vez Isabel Allende con su maravilloso estilo., December 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Retrato en Sepia (Paperback)

Isabel Allende presenta nuevamente una novela tan encantadora como sus personajes femeninos. Esta vez Aurora del Valle, que esta conectada con la Hija de la Fortuna (Eliza Sommers) y La casa de los Espiritus (Familia del Valle). Sus personajes femeninos siempre la caracterizan por esas ganas de vivir, y un mundo magico y encantador alrededor de eventos historicos en Chile y latinoamerica. Tuve la suerte de leer sus tres novelas juntas, y gracias a su delicado estilo que entretejen sus personajes creo que la trilogia: La casa de los Espititus - La Hija de la Fortuna - Retrato en Sepia se convierten en una sola obra indispensable para los que han leido cualquiera de estas novelas aisladamente.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Retrato en Sepia (Paperback)

Es un realto estupendo que entreteje las memorias de una mujer heroina en busqueda de la raices suyas y la de su patria. Es un relato de corte feminista que encierra la capacidad de lucha de la mujer en la sociedad latinoamericana y su importancia en el quehacer social y cultural de nuestra identidad como latinos.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Magistral! Isabel Allende, July 12, 2001

By 

Irma (Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Retrato en Sepia: Una Novela (Hardcover)

Aunque no seas chileno, en esta obra podrás conocer un poquito de las antiguas costumbres de ese austral pais. Pero lo más importante una historia bien hilvanada y amena. Buen trabajo una vez mas de una gran escritora. Confieso que no deseaba acabar el libro, para que me durara más ... Espero que pronto nos deleite con una nueva novela nuestra querida Isabel.