About this title: This autobiography from best-selling writer Isabel Allende begins in December 1991, during a period when Allende's daughter Paula became gravely ill and fell into a coma. The author began her account during the long hours at the hospital and decided to record the story of her family for her unconscious daughter in an attempt to "bring [her] back ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Plaza & Janes S.A., Spain
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9788401423635ISBN:8401423635
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: G. K. Hall & Company
Date Published: 1995
ISBN-13:9780783813738ISBN:0783813732
Description: Good. This is a LARGE PRINT EX-LIBRARY copy, in the following condition. This book is in GOOD overall condition. It shows signs of having been read and has general light wear to the cover, spine and pages. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Flamingo
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780006548560ISBN:0006548563
Description: Good. * BOOKS DISPATCHED WITHIN 24 HOURS * SATISFACTION GUARANTEED * ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED PROMPTLY * SHIPPED FROM UK * USA DELIVERY IN 3-5 DAYS * SHIPPED FROM UK: USA & EUROPE SPECIALISTS DELIVERY IN 3-5 DAYS. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Flamingo
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780006548560ISBN:0006548563
Description: Good. Our aim is to create value for our customers through the provision of low cost, affordable products and an overall satisfying buying experience. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Date Published: 1995
ISBN-13:9780002253024ISBN:000225302X
Description: Good. Ex-library. Usual library markings inside cover. All orders are dispatched from our UK warehouse within one working day. Established in 2004. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Flamingo
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780006548560ISBN:0006548563
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Date Published: 1995
ISBN-13:9780002253024ISBN:000225302X
Description: New. BRAND NEW and ready for dispatch. Delivery normally within 4/7 days. Our reputation is built on our Speedy Delivery Service and our Customer Service Team. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Harpercollins
Date Published: 1995
ISBN-13:9780060172534ISBN:0060172533
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Flamingo
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780006548560ISBN:0006548563
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Description: Very good; Collectible. 1st edition, very good clean copy, cover slightly marked & page edges have some sun damage. Will post next working day. read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Cloth
Publisher: Harper Collins, London
Date Published: 1995
ISBN-13:9780002253024ISBN:000225302X
Description: Good/Good. 000225302x Used Jacket is price clipped, a little shelfworn but no chips or tears. Page block is tanned, and pages slightly tanned at the edges, but text is bright and clean. Binding is tight. although the book is very slightly cocked. read more
Description: Collectible; Very Good. Dust Jacket Included. UK First Edition! 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2, published by Harper Collins 1995. Book very good + with just a little bumping to the top of the spine area. The edge of the pages, show faint signs of tanning. The dustjacket is in superb condition & rated fine. B1. read more
""Listen Paula, I'm going to tell you a story, so that when you wake up you will not feel so lost". I love the way Allende starts this book. One of the most heartbreaking and fascinating books that I have read. It is such a personal story for Allende and I admire her courage as a writer to share such personal stories, not only during Paula's struggle and death but also stories from her childhood in Chile and beyond. Allende has an unbelievable way to make the reader part of her story.
"I write feeling my way in silence, and along the way discover particles of truth, small crystals that fit in the palm of one hand and justify my passage through this world""
"Fantastic book! Great stories. I was thinking after I bought the book, "oh shoot! why didn't I get this in Spanish!" However, Allende's writing is so elevated with lots of extensive vocabulary that I find it hard to digest it all at times...even though it is in English. I read slowly and pause so that I can get it all in. It is a refreshing challenge. I am not complaining, on the contrary, it is fabulous the way she writes, her style, language, story telling skills, the jumping around from one story to another, great details about each character so that you really feel like you get to know them. This is a very personal book filled with emotion. You can feel Allende's pain and distress as she describes life in the hospital. After awhile I must have gotten used to her style & language because I devoured the pages in a matter of days. I really enjoy Allende and am sad that I have not read anything of hers prior.
I find it interesting that the story is mostly nonfiction. For me, the fact that everything is real, makes her story and her as an author more interesting! I really enjoy how Allende talks about "authorism" or the art of writing as she describes her act of writing and her process from her perspective. I enjoyed getting the inside scoop on her career & prior books & characters. The way she writes about writing stirs that childhood dream of mine to be a writer!
"I actually listened to an audio book of this title, but hey, that still counts, right?
The book is a letter that Allende is writing to her 28-year-old daughter, Paula, who lingered in a coma for a while, and later died. Allende wants her to know what has happened, and what people have come into the family's life, so that, as she says, "when you wake up, you won't feel lost."
I thought this book was pretty amazing. Never maudlin, it is written in a very conversational, very honest way. It is clear from the beginning that Allende is still trying to understand Paula's death, without perfect success, but also that she knows that the entire family has to continue their lives. There are happy times as well as difficult times described, all taking place in the year since Paula has died.
I think that everyone talks to those recently lost, at first because you are used to being able to talk to them, and later maybe just when you think of them related to some experience or thought. The book is written in the way people think of things. She will start with one story, get sidetracked into another, and then remember that she needs to finish the first one!
The audio book I had was read by Blair Brown, who I must admit has never been a favorite of mine. But she did an excellent job with this book, and brought the characters and the emotions alive in a very immediate sense."
"Isabelle Allende won me over with her family history. With a slightly fanciful twist this historical novel is interwoven with the drama of her current life. It is an interesting method, but the story of her family is an amazing one. Isabelle Allende happened to be present for some of the most formative events/moments of Argentina's history. Even those of us with no former knowledge can recognize some of the names and events she throws out. Great book. Decide for yourself how you feel about the ending though..."
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