She has been through a lot in her life, both when it comes to love, her work, her family, and the shaky political history of Chile. In the Midst of Winter starts with Lucia, in current day Brooklyn, and her voice is very distinctive.

And that love and romance is something to dream of not matter our age. That mystery can bring us a zest for life that had been forgotten. Bringing three rather unlikely people together, Allende showed me that sometimes, the unexpected is what we should expect. Of family, and of a force bigger than them helping them move forward. Where families continue searching for loved ones for several decades.Īll the while decorticating each character and their inner workings, there is also a strong sense of loyalty. During dictatorship, and in the aftermath of it. Through the characters and the way they shared their life stories, I got a better understanding as to what life can be like in central and South America. Especially when it comes to Luzia.Īs always when I read one of Allende’s novels, I am left feeling full, feeling more, knowing more. The cold, stark feeling of reality that was strong during the story never kept the hope at bay. From the countryside in Guatemala, to Rio de Janeiro, via Santiago and to Brooklyn. As usual, Allende doesn’t shy away from political turmoil, and with bright colours, she paints a vivid picture of the characters’ lives. Allende’s lyrical writing brings the character to life, and with all their intricacies and flaws, they became very real to me. Not only does In the Midst of Winter span over several decades, it also includes four different countries. In the Midst of Winter is a beautiful, melancholy tale, in which Allende intricately, yet seamlessly weaves three different pasts into a common present. These three very different people are brought together in a mesmerizing story that moves from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil.

At a loss, the teacher asks his tenant Lucia Maraz - a 62-year-old lecturer from Chile - for her advice. Evelyn turns up at the teacher's house seeking help.

Richard Bowmaster - a 60-year-old human rights scholar - hits the car of Evelyn Ortega - a young, undocumented immigrant from Guatemala - in the middle of a snowstorm in Brooklyn. In the Midst of Winter begins with a minor traffic accident - which becomes the catalyst for an unexpected and moving love story between two people who thought they were deep into the winter of their lives. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased * In the Midst of Winter on 31 October, 2017 *I received a free copy of In the Midst of Winter from via Netgalley.

Isabel allende in the midst of winter