Isabel Allende creates wonderful characters in her novels, particularly strong women. She also produces very well researched historical fiction, often, but not always concerning Latin America. My Name is Emilia del Valle is another novel from Allende which certainly meets these criteria. The book is a first person narrative which tells Emilia's story from conception to her mid-20s. Emilia is brought up in San Francisco by her mother and loving stepfather who encourages her to believe she can do whatever she wishes to achieve. Under a male pseudonym she begins writing dime novels as a teenager, getting ideas for the plots from her mother's vivid imagination. In her early 20s she manages to become a journalist, initially using her male pseudonym but eventually being allowed to use her own name. Through this work she is offered the opportunity to travel to Chile to cover the human interest aspects of the Chilean Civil War of 1891, along with a male journalist, Eric Whelan to be the war correspondent. Emilia is unwilling to keep away from the battlefield and finds herself at the Battle of Concon, side by side with the 'Canteen Girls', led by Angelita who becomes a close friend to Emilia. The battle scenes are harrowing to Emilia and, thus, to the reader but give a clear insight into the horrors of war and the unnecessary and thoughtless squandering of human life. What she experiences at Concon will remain with Emilia and affect her outlook on life. Even after the actual war is over, Emilia faces more horrific experiences as she volunteers in the hospital and is then arrested and imprisoned for being a suspected traitor. The latter part of the book involves Emilia travelling solo (accompanied by her faithful 'war dog' Covadonga) in the south of Chile to connect with a small piece of land that has been left to her by her birth father whom she met for the first time in Chile shortly before he died. The descriptions of the people and the landscapes of this rural Chile are beautiful and gave me thoughts I would love to see this country. This was a thoroughly satisfying read, highly recommended for lovers of well researched historical fiction with very well crafted and intersting characters.

I mean, does Isabel Allende ever miss? I haven't met a book of hers that I haven't enjoyed. I'd say she has got better with each book, her experience is clear to see in her words. I agree with so many that she is a literary genius.

I'm not disregarding the plot, but bear with me. For me, where Isabel excels in this book is her characters. She creates and develops characters better and more consistently than many I tend to read. They're so developed and well rounded and honest. They don't feel like characters, they feel like people we know.

Her writing is mesmerising, from the exciting moments to the mundane. It's lie magic.

It has slightly longer chapters than I would have liked, but that's because I love short chapters, but it's not a deal breaker with this book. When I read thrillers and crime novels for example, I think the short chapters help with the tension and fast-paced narrative. But this book is more about the characters, and so didn't necessarily need to be fast-paced. So whilst I would have preferred shorter chapters, it doesn't have too much of a negative impact on the story.

This is written in the first person - I tend to read third person - and I think that's for its benefit, as it gives it a sort of diary quality which makes it more personal. As well as it being in a sort of first-person diary/letter format, within it, Emilia is writing newspaper articles, and so it's almost like a story within a story within a story, a bit like Inception but a bit more manageable.

I've always said the reasons I love historical books - 17-1800s, governess in a big house - is where there are female characters standing up for themselves in a time they weren't meant to. This one is set slightly later than that, the late 1800s, but I've got the same love for it. A woman making her way in a man's world and unashamedly so. Emilia is a fabulous creation.

Normally when there's a female character like this, it usually means that the men in the book come across as more negative. But for the most part, I liked the male characters in this book. They generally felt supportive to Emilia. Some characters were bigger than others but all seemed to play their part in the wider story.

I loved the exploration of Chile (not a surprise considering Allende drew up in Chile). It's not a country I know well, or can even pretend to know well, and I can't think of any books I've read set in Chile, other than Allende's herself. And whilst I'm aware this is a novel and only a slight introduction to the country, and set a long time ago during a war, it really opened my eyes to the country and I am interested in finding out more about it.

My only less-than-positive point is that it felt a bit long. It was still incredibly enjoyable, expertly written, interesting characters, five star, and just a great thing to read. I felt 300 pages was just a tad too long for what is, in my opinion anyway, heavily a character study. So if it was cut down by say, 30-50 pages, I think it might have been slightly better but I can't say anything bad about what is there.

Yes it is an historical book, a war novel. But for me, it feels very much like a love story; the love for your family and friends, for lovers, for yourself, for your country, and for what's right.

It's not the happiest of books, which is no surprise given the subject matter, but it doesn't need to be happy to be excellent. And excellent is what this novel very much is.

I was delighted to receive a review copy of this new Allende novel and it met my expectations completely. Emilia is such an interesting character who, without the influence of her cherished stepfather, would have led a totally different life. She is determined but vulnerable. She finds passion and true love, but also undergoes horrific suffering, all of which shape the woman she becomes.

As is always the case with Allende's novels, the characters are totally believable. The narrative is well paced as we follow Emilia making her way in a man's world, writing dime novels using a male pseudonym and having to fight to use her own name as a journalist and to be allowed to report on matters other than the domestic.

As she heads to Chile in search of her birth father, little does she imagine how the Civil War will change her forever. There are many harrowing scenes, both on the battlefield and in the aftermath of the fighting, the most shocking being one which happens to Emilia herself. Many times I dreaded turning the page and reading accounts of man's inhumanity, but there is also much goodness and loving kindness between the pages. Darkness and light are what make this such a brilliantly crafted coherent novel.

My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende is a captivating historical novel that follows the journey of a young woman determined to carve out her own identity in a world that seeks to define her. Set in 1866 San Francisco, the book introduces Emilia del Valle, the daughter of an Irish nun and a Chilean aristocrat. Raised by a loving stepfather, Emilia grows up to be an independent and courageous woman, unafraid to defy societal expectations.

Emilia’s passion for writing leads her to publish pulp fiction under a male pen name at the age of sixteen, and later pursue a career in journalism. Her determination is evident as she convinces an editor at the San Francisco Examiner to hire her, where she is paired with another reporter, Eric Whelan. But it is the opportunity to cover the civil war in Chile that truly sparks her journey of self-discovery. There, Emilia uncovers the truth about her father and the country that holds her roots, while grappling with the dangers of war and the crossroads she faces in both her identity and destiny.

Allende’s storytelling is rich and immersive, drawing readers into the vibrant settings of San Francisco, New York City, Valparaiso, and Santiago. The descriptions of these places, as well as the cultural and political context of the times, create a genuine feel for the late 1880s, particularly when it comes to the challenges faced by female journalists in a male-dominated world. Emilia’s journey is one of courage, love, and self-discovery, as she strives to make her mark in both her personal and professional life.

The first-person narrative allows readers to connect with Emilia on an intimate level, experiencing her growth and challenges through her own eyes. The characters she meets along the way add depth to the story, making it not just the tale of a journalist but also of a woman searching for her place in the world. Allende’s impeccable translation ensures that the story feels seamless, as though it were written in English from the start.

For fans of historical fiction, strong female protagonists, and stories of self-discovery, My Name is Emilia del Valle is an unforgettable read. Allende’s masterful writing and the compelling journey of Emilia will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

My Name is Emilia Del Valle, follows Emilia's life from pre-conception to her mid-twenties. Focusing on her time as a journalist during the 3rd Chilean Civil War.
This is my 2nd Allende book , and read the first with high expectations given her literary legend reputation. I did feel a bit disappointed with the first book, however the story has stayed with me and I approached Emilia with a more open mind.
Allende is without a doubt a master storyteller . Emilia's life starts in San Francisco and the story ends in the Chilean jungle . The mental images conjured up are as vivid with the unfamiliar (to me) Chile as the familiar US .
Allende's writing is a little vague at times , I found myself missing little snippets of the story .One character reappeared a few times and I could not remember how she fitted into the story. I've actually found this in other Spanish language novels so it must be to do with how Spanish translates to English.
This book was so well researched and I really enjoyed learning about Chile during this time period.
This may have only been my 2nd Allende book, but with a back catalogue going back 40 years I am sure it won't be my last.

I was so excited to get to read an advanced copy of My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende.

I love Allende’s stories sweeping across countries and continents with strong female protagonists. Emilia Del Valle centres on the woman herself, from her upbringing in a poor neighbourhood in San Francisco where she is brought up by her mother and a step-father who loves her as if she were his biological daughter. She is educated and wants to write and have adventures, which are frowned up on for woman to pursue at that time.

Emilia is such an amazing rounded character, I defy anyone not to like or love her. She has the strength and determination to do the things she wants to on her terms. Due to the time and male attitudes, she has to fight for this, which only makes you admire her more.

This book swept me away and transported me to another time and place following Emilia’s adventures. I was hooked and had to keep to reading to see how Emilia and those around her would fair.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bloomsbury Publishing , for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wow! This book is incredible and will certainly remain in my memory for some considerable time. I was totally captivated by Emilia’s story from start to finish; her tenacity, bravery and courage against a country at war, and a world against female reporters of her time. Travelling from California to cover the Chilean civil war as a reporter, alongside her newspaper colleague Eric, Emilia goes beyond her remit and faces death in the face, experiencing the carnage and brutality of the opposing sides. Beautifully written with outstanding descriptive detail, full praise to the author and translator.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Chilean author Isabel Allende is good at the 'fake life story' genre, creating likeable characters and histories for them. In her latest novel, the narrator is Emilia del Valle - named for the Chilean aristocrat father she has never met and raised by her mother and stepfather in California. Emilia is a bright, engaging character with a nice narrative voice that flows well. Not content with the dull life of the average woman in the late 19th century, she becomes a successful author of cheap romance novels under a penname, and then a journalist. In her new role, she travels to the land of her father to cover the civil war, and discovers at first hand the horrors of war.

I cared about Emilia and her fate, always important for enjoying a novel of this type, and I liked the supporting characters too. I didn't know much about Chilean history in this period (what I know about any Chilean history is mostly 20th century, and that from Allende's other books). The book does well at getting across the courage of individuals in wars, but also the utter futility of armed conflict.

If you enjoy 'fictional life stories' of this type then this is one to add to your reading list, and it's essential for anyone with an interest in South American fiction. It reminds me a bit of some of William Boyd's 'life story' novels, particularly with the war correspondent background. Although Allende has a different writing style to Boyd - fewer words you have to look up in a dictionary, and a more direct, less quirky style - I think if you enjoyed some of Boyd's books like 'Any Human Heart', or 'The Romantic' you might well like this one too.

If Isabel Allende writes it, I will read it. The way in which she writes is just beautiful and you get drawn into topics that you otherwise may not of had an interest in or, even heard of. This is how I felt about this book. I was so drawn in (and horrified) by the brutality of the Chilean Civil War of 1891 that I spent a while after reading, just educating myself on the history.
Emilia is one of those characters that is going to stay with me for a really long time. She's adventurous, strong and didn't let her gender determine her life. Her relationship with her step father was one of my favourite relationships in the entire book.
This is gut wrenching and beautiful all at once.

For over four decades, Isabel Allende has captivated, entertained and moved us with her novels; a new book is always welcome.

My Name is Emilia del Valle is a story of love but also of war; an unknown ( for many of us) civil conflict in Chile in 1891. This war is told through the eyes of Emilia del Valle.

The story begins with her early life and that of her mother Molly Walsh - her mother inquisitive and strong willed is on the path to a religious life until she finds herself pregnant through a cruel seduction by Gonzalo André del Valle ; a man from Chilean aristocracy who denies being the father.

Molly and her daughter are taken under the wing of Don Pancho Claro who raises Emilia and supports her independent approach to life. Emilia pushes boundaries and becomes a journalist for a San Francisco newspaper The Tribune. It is from this role, she successfully builds up her reputation until she requests to report on events of smuggled weapons heading to Chile with her colleague and friend Eric Whelan. with the hope of tracking down her elusive birth father.

From this point, classic Allende storytelling comes to the fore- societal differences and class divisions; the building of a love story and the drama of an upcoming bloody war. The war is described in poignant and frightening detail in particular as Emilia finds herself involved in the conflict.

This is a story of independence and a strong willed woman battling against patriarchal ( and even matriarchal ) systems to find her identity and fulfil her potential set against an historical backdrop.

Emilia del Valle is an archetypal Allende lead protagonist and is strong, beguiling , spirited and a joy to read about.

Another brilliant story from a legendary author

Absolutely wonderful to have early access to the latest by the amazing Isabelle. I devour her books and this one was wonderful. The epic drama of the family the locations the people loved it thank you

Emilia del Valle is a curious character, who is the daughter of an Irish nun and a Chilean man - Emilia, who is stubborn and independent, grows up to be a journalist and covers the Chilean civil war. I found the storyline in Chile to be very potent, interesting and realistic.
The earlier life of del Valle and the bits about after the war were slightly less interesting, as I connected more with Emilia when she was in Chile.
Overall, a great read by the great writer.
3.5-4 stars.

I have been reading the novels of Isable Allende with respect admiration and pleasure for over forty years.

My name is Elmilia del Valle is, like the Long Petal in the Sea and The Wind Knows My name, more of a straightforward historical novel.

At times the writing is sublime as is her characterisation of some of the minor characters. For me, there are tiems when there is too much historical detail with the blow by blow accounts of battles and movements of ships.. For a Chilean audience that might be just perfect.

Even if I found it hard going at times it is definitely worth reading. Emilia is certainly some heroine! But, if you are new to Isabel Allende and enjoy an historicl novel I would start with a'A Long Petal in the Sea' a wonderfully ambitious and humane novel.

If you want to start early on in her career. It is the House of Many Spirits