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A review by themythicalbookshelf
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"Poetry is what stays in your head and isn't forgotten."
I've heard amazing things about Isabel Allende, and now I understand why. I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally read one of her books, and A Long Petal of the Sea was so much more than I imagined it would be. There's love, loss, hope, joy, and sorrow as the book follows the not just the lives of Victor and Roser, but of the individuals and families around them as they navigate the Spanish Civil War, multiple exiles, and the various ups and downs that come with living life.
"War is a hurricane that destroys a lot in its path."
This was such a beautiful and heartfelt story, and Isabel Allende did a wonderful job portraying the strife of those caught in the mess of war and political upheavals. I also appreciated the way that she wrote the various differences in political opinions in the characters of the book, and how this may or may not have changed throughout their lives.
And so, in a few minutes on that bench in the square, they made the decision that was to determine the rest of their lives, as well as that of the child.
My favorite aspect of this book though was the characters' quest to find home, or the place where they felt they belonged. It began with the desire to return home to Spain once it was safe to do so, but as time went on, they began to realize that home isn't necessarily where you were born and/or grew up; it's what you make of your current situation and the people surrounding you.
I've heard amazing things about Isabel Allende, and now I understand why. I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally read one of her books, and A Long Petal of the Sea was so much more than I imagined it would be. There's love, loss, hope, joy, and sorrow as the book follows the not just the lives of Victor and Roser, but of the individuals and families around them as they navigate the Spanish Civil War, multiple exiles, and the various ups and downs that come with living life.
"War is a hurricane that destroys a lot in its path."
This was such a beautiful and heartfelt story, and Isabel Allende did a wonderful job portraying the strife of those caught in the mess of war and political upheavals. I also appreciated the way that she wrote the various differences in political opinions in the characters of the book, and how this may or may not have changed throughout their lives.
And so, in a few minutes on that bench in the square, they made the decision that was to determine the rest of their lives, as well as that of the child.
My favorite aspect of this book though was the characters' quest to find home, or the place where they felt they belonged. It began with the desire to return home to Spain once it was safe to do so, but as time went on, they began to realize that home isn't necessarily where you were born and/or grew up; it's what you make of your current situation and the people surrounding you.