Ines of My Soul

I just loved this book, but then I am a fan of most of Allende's work and also have a soft spot for Chile. I don't often read 'history' books- but I would if they were written as well as this. The reader is swept along with the passions, trials and tribulations of the Spanish seamstress who ends up helping to 'conquer' Chile.Allende has obviously done a hugely impressive amount of research (there is a bibliography at the back for more info), and most of the characters and events hold true as far as I can tell (as Allende says, its history woven together with a bit of imagination).I especially enjoyed the way the story is told- in the first person, as though you are reading her memoirs, and its often easy to forget that it is Isable Allende's words you are reading, not Ines de Suarez's! It's more factual and less magicical/fantasy than eg, House of Spirits, but she's such a talented writer, and she keeps just enough 'magic' in to make it enjoyable and very readable, if not really gripping in a novel senseThere is a lot of brutality - a few times I had to brace myself before reading because I knew what was coming (and some of the images will stay with me a while!), but I think it's fairly accurate- they were brutal times. The author has shown fantastic skill in relating the side of the indigenous population, even though it is written from the point of view of a Spaniard. I think she's managed this respectfully and I would think that Mapuche people reading this today would feel proud of their ancestors(as Spaniards and Catholics may be ashamed of their ancestors part in this history)I wish this book had been published when I lived in Chile- I learnt more about this period of history from this book than I did the whole year I lived there!It seems Allende can turn her pen to make any story come alive- if only she would write our history for us like this!

If you like a historical novel built around the facts then this is for you. I couldn’t put it down and learnt a little about the Spanish invasions of Peru and particularly Chile in 16th century. Beautifully written and vivid descriptions of these wars and how the Mapuche resisted the Spanish armies. This will not disappoint!

A very interesting, balanced and well researched history of the conquest of South America by the Spanish. As always her books are well written and despite the academic content are real page turners.

Whilst both The house of spirits and Of love and shadows deal with the recent history of South America this early history just does not have the immediacy or interest.

This was a well researched and at times shocking story centred around Chilean history. I enjoyed the book and learnt something of Chilean history at the same time.

Excelent and enjoyable book that while entertaining, brings well researched information about the creative role of women in the Spanish war and conquest of a large area in South America.

Obra de historia literaria, muy buena!

Another excellent book by Isabel Allende - I have not read most of the books by this Chilean author who now lives in the U.S.A. - many of them are based on her former life and background in South America and offer an insight into another world.