My Name is Emilia del Valle is the latest release from Isabel Allendeand it iis the powerful story of one woman's determination and ambition as she strives to find her way in the world. Emilia has someting of an unorthodox upbringing as the daughter of a Chilean aristocrat and a postulant nun. Abandoned by her lover, Emilia's mother is forced to come clean at the convent. She marries a kindly local teacher who promises to raise the baby as his own and so Emilia has a happy childhood in eeighteenth century San Francisco. She is bright and ambitious and in many ways ahead o her time, becoming a popular author of pulp novels under a male pen name before working her way into a role as columnist for the Daily Examiner. There she uses her Chilean heritage to get herself assigned to cover the civil unrest brewing in that country. Once there she not only finds a family and heritage, she finds herself embroiled in the struggle.
This is a powerful story and has a main character that it is very easy to root for, she is practically the definition of a plucky heroine. Once again the author's love for her native land shines through and her descriptions of Val Pariso and various other parts of the country were both vivid and striking and immediately took me back to my visit to the country years ago. In some ways the storytelling felt familiar, fans of the author will know what to expect and will not be disappointed. The writing is beautiful of course and some of the passages describing the war were harrowing, really bringing to life the horror and senselessness of it all, and highlighting the role that women played, something that I had never really known about before.
Another triumph from Allende.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This is another one of Allende’s books featuring a strong woman. The story – in terms of narration and setting – feels strangely familiar, since it follows a similar pattern as so many of Allende’s other novels. As always, she tells a meandering tale based on historical events with a bit of magical realism thrown in.

Our heroine, Emilia del Valle, is of Irish and Chilean decent. Her mother came to San Francisco as an immigrant fleeing the potato famine, where she met Emilia’s father, a handsome ne’er-do-well, who promptly left her penniless and with child. This child, Emilia, grows into a fiercely independent young woman, who manages to secure herself a job as an editorial journalist, which in the 19th century was a job solely reserved for and protected by men. When she persuades her editor-in-chief to send her to Chile as war correspondent to report on the outbreak and developments of the civil war, her real adventure begins.

She gets deeply drawn into this war and her journey of discovery and self-discovery entails her search for her father and family origins as much as a love story and the close – almost intimate - experience of the horrors and cruelty of war.

All in all, a story containing many others, all worth telling and mostly well told. My reading experience got just slightly marred by Allende’s drive to get a point across, which occasionally results in commonplace sentiments and stilted dialogues, which however does not take anything away from Allende’s gifted story-telling.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I absolutely love this author and this was an absolute treat
I feel very privileged to be able to read this

I got totally lost in the story
Highly recommend

I was looking forward to this book. The synopsis sounded intriguing, so I was excited to get stuck. The writing was fluent but overly descriptive, which at times, made me want to skip on. I never took to the characters. The story is set in 1890, and I felt the characters were too modern for the time. Emilia, the main character, had too much freedom even for an adventurous woman of the time, which made the story rather implausible for me. She travelled alone to remote places and easily got meetings with high-ranking men. For me, this felt unrealistic. The descriptions of the war were graphic and believable, though.
Her descriptions of Chile were very good, but for me, there wasn't enough focus on the storyline for me to really enjoy the book.

Told with all the flair and intrigue that the author never fails to provide, I loved the wonderful independent heroine of the title. The writing is full of joy and beauty, following the progress through life of one of Allende’s most compelling characters, a woman whose journey through life is full of passion and bravery. She manages to combine the personal and historical in Emilia’s life, uninhibited by the expectations of society in 19th century San Francisco and Chile, covering the latter’s chequered history of war and repression, amidst a landscape of staggering beauty, still unspoilt in places.

Another brilliant book from Isabel Allende - I've enjoyed every one I've read so far. This one is no exception, with its taut writing (and excellent translation), as well as a story and characters that you can't help but care about.

Emilia is a product of seduction of a novice nun by a chilian seducer.. Her mother however marries an older Schoolteacher who takes Emilia as his own and teaches her everything he knows.
However Emilia yearns to be a journalist.
As a woman in 19th century San Francisco that is not easy. After persevering she is given the job of a features writer who is then sent to Chili with her colleague and best friend Eric to cover the Civil War.
There she is faced with atrocities she never wished to see. She infact get caught up on the wrong side and is thrown in jail.
Her story doesn't end there, so read it. A great read.

I have read a number of books by Isabel Allende and always enjoy them. They are beautifully written adventures and I always learn something . I know very little about Chile but what struck me is that history keeps on repeating with wars being fought still over minerals. I confess to skipping some text that was a bit long winded but in the main this was enjoyable.

There's no doubt - and no surprise - that this is a brilliantly written book in terms of creative writing craft. It's also an excellent example of fiction-as-research. My three star review is not a reflection of the quality of the writing in any way, more a reflection of my reaction to it as a reader. I know, and agree that, Isabel Allende is a first class writer, but for whatever reason, I couldn't get into this novel as I wanted to. The plot is enticing, and the character promises to be compelling, but I found it a slog. As I say, more about me, and my reading preferences, than the novel itself. If you like historical fiction, and you're impressed with what must be particular and accurate research, then this is for you. My grateful thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers for the ARC.

Another glorious epic from Isabel Allende, taking our protagonist from California and across Chile, from cities to fields of war to the incredible uninhabited land, set against the backdrop of the Chilean Civil War

Isabel Allende is a wonderful writer who always writes the most beautiful and evocative stories and My Name is Emilia del Valle completely lives up to that.

An effortlessly elegant exploration of historical aspects of San Francisco and Chile that are charming to read and help understand the characters in context of their situation, this is pure Allende.

Emilia del Valle leads a complicated life for a young woman in 1890s San Francisco. Having had commercial success as a crime writer under a male pseudonym, she gets involved in journalism, initially in disguise but eventually writing under her own name as she covers the war in Chile. Along the way she falls in love, is injured on the battlefield, and reconciles with her biological father before his untimely death.

It is all a rollicking adventure, well-told and coming towards the end to a magical reality that is credible and you are ready to believe in. I will never tire of reading these stories by Allende, they are vital and alive and have so much to say about life and love.

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.

I do love Isabel Allende's books and this was no exception. Her writing is so descriptive and beautiful and I knew nothing about this era in Chile's history so it was fascinating. Allende really brought to life both the horrors of war and the beauty of Chile. I found Emilia a great character and enjoyed the diary style of the book, there were moments of implausibly and I also found the ending a little rushed which was a shame after the pages of detailed writing which went before. Overall however I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend.

I have to say I’m biased; my mother was born in Tierra del Fuego and I have Chilean relatives I’ve never met. I devour anything and everything written by Allende as she is exceptional in capturing that faded colonial elegance of fin de siècle Chile along with the reality of life for the majority. I’ve never visited the country but I enjoy any story with Chile as a backdrop and this is one of the best. Allende is such a descriptive writer. She captures people and places to a point where they are almost tangible and Emilia, in this story is a powerful independent woman on a mission. Most know little about Chilean history and again, Allende is skilled at mixing fact and fiction so that they’re almost one. This is a powerful story, totally immersive and I was captivated from start to finish. Absolutely brilliant.

Emilia has a happy childhood in San Francisco with her mother and devoted step-father. Her step-father encourages her to be confident and she becomes a writer and then a columnist for the local newspaper. Eventually she goes to Chile to report on the civil war, the country in which her natural father resides. This is Emilia's memoir of her life up to her twenties, her meeting with her Chilean family, her love affairs and includes the horrors she sees whilst reporting on the war in Chile.
It's been a long time since I've read a novel by Isabel Allende. so I was looking forward to this book. The writing is fluent and easy to read but overly descriptive. I never took to the characters. The novel is set in 1890 and Emilia had too much freedom for me to take her seriously. She was able to travel alone and unrestricted to remote places and meet people in high government roles. This lacked plausibility for me. Because of this I found the story quite bland, despite the horrific war scenes.
I did enjoy the descriptions of Chile and it's people but overall this was rather a disappointing read.

I was so pleased to be given the opportunity to read “My Name Is Emilia del Valle” by the incomparable Isabel Allende.
Set in Chile during the 19th century when the country was at war with itself and the political interfence of other nations such as the USA and Great Britain, it follows the exploits of the daughter of an Irish novice nun and a member of the del Valle family, an old money Chilean family. As per usual, a love story, political upheaval and a lesson in history wrapped up in an exquisite novel.
The biggest problem with this book is now I’ve finished it, I know it’ll be an age to next one. I can’t wait to nab a physical copy. My favourite author.

Isabel Allende's large body of work is proof of her mastery at storytellung. My name is Emilia del Valle is set around the turn of the 19th century blending together a strong female character, Emilia del Valle, with historical facts, a civil war in Chile, with an uprising of suppressed citizens against the wealthy aristocratic society, and naturally a love story as a backdrop. It' s a solid, capturing Isabel Allende novel but for me personally, apart from a few chapters, it was a little too predictable and not as strong as "The wind knows my name" which I loved..

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.