Isabel Allende's first memory of Chile is of a house she never knew. The "large old house" on the Calle Cueto, where her mother was born and which ...
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May 27, 2011
Jeanette
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This is Isabel Allende's funny and sorrowful tribute to her native country. She starts off with amusing stories: a cat-killing refrigerator; her grandfather's insistence that he saw the devil on a bus; her father who disguised himself as a Peruvian Indian woman with bright petticoats and a wig with long braids. Later in the book she moves on to the horror and repression suffered by the Chilean people following the CIA-assisted military coup in 1973.
The book is not so much a memoir as More...
The book is not so much a memoir as More...
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Jan 15, 2009
amber
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we chose this book for my book club, because it was the memoir of isabel allende, who was exiled from her home country and eventually settled in the united states -- we thought that her experiences as an expat would give us insights into our own experiences living abroad (since most of us in the book club are from outside of the netherlands).
however, this book mostly whined about the idiosyncrasies of the chilean people, making fun of their habits and culture, and really didn't say m More...
however, this book mostly whined about the idiosyncrasies of the chilean people, making fun of their habits and culture, and really didn't say m More...
Oct 30, 2011
Cindy
rated it: 
Charming, disarming vignettes by a most gifted and favorite author of mine.
Here's some wisdom for me:
On relocation to Venezuela - "I was 35 years old and I thought I had no future before me except to grow old and die of boredom. Now when I remember that time, I realize that opportunities existed but I didn't see them; I was confused and fearful, and incapable of dancing to their tune. Instead of making an effort to learn about the land that had so generously taken me in, More...
Here's some wisdom for me:
On relocation to Venezuela - "I was 35 years old and I thought I had no future before me except to grow old and die of boredom. Now when I remember that time, I realize that opportunities existed but I didn't see them; I was confused and fearful, and incapable of dancing to their tune. Instead of making an effort to learn about the land that had so generously taken me in, More...
May 21, 2011
Sandra
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Less a memoir, more a series of recollections of her life, and the geography, people and politics of Chile. Allende has led a peripatetic life: born in Peru, raised in Chile, lived as a child in Bolivia and Lebanon, exiled to Venezuela and finally an immgrant to California with she lives with her second husband, an American. However her Chilean roots and family have obviously made the largest impression on her and she constantly returns to them with an aching nostalgia throughout this book. A
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Mar 19, 2011
Elsje
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Ik had al een poos niets meer van Allende gelezen, was op de trilogie over dat Amerikaanse jochie en zijn oma vreselijk afgeknapt. Maar van dit boek heb ik weer met volle teugen genoten.
In 17 hoofdstukken licht Allende op haar eigen bekende manier (anekdotisch, tikkeltje ironisch, maar heerlijk weglezend) de volksaard van de Chileen en de Chileense maatschappij toe. Althans, zoals zij zich die denkt te herinneren. Ze is immers bannelinge en heeft daardoor vooral in haar hoofd een beeld More...
In 17 hoofdstukken licht Allende op haar eigen bekende manier (anekdotisch, tikkeltje ironisch, maar heerlijk weglezend) de volksaard van de Chileen en de Chileense maatschappij toe. Althans, zoals zij zich die denkt te herinneren. Ze is immers bannelinge en heeft daardoor vooral in haar hoofd een beeld More...
Dec 10, 2010
TheBookManiac
rated it:
Surprisingly International
You don’t have to be Chilean to enjoy this beautiful memoir, but you will gain an appreciation for Chile and its people after reading “My Invented Country”.
This is the story about how Isabel Allende, one of the most charismatic Latin American authors of our time, came to become the person she is today. Her very personal narrative will take you to a different country and a different era that will (almost) make you feel Chilean.
We foll More...
You don’t have to be Chilean to enjoy this beautiful memoir, but you will gain an appreciation for Chile and its people after reading “My Invented Country”.
This is the story about how Isabel Allende, one of the most charismatic Latin American authors of our time, came to become the person she is today. Her very personal narrative will take you to a different country and a different era that will (almost) make you feel Chilean.
We foll More...
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Apr 12, 2010
Trish
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Although I am somewhat obsessed with Latin America, Chile had never particularly interested me until I started reading Isabel Allende and of course, Pablo Neruda. This is her account, of her people, a very contradictory and a bit neurotic population amid a land so painstakingly beautiful...Anyone want to go Chile with me??
My favorite passages (and I have a few) that describe this book well):
"If I had stayed in Chile, as I always wanted, married to one of my second co More...
My favorite passages (and I have a few) that describe this book well):
"If I had stayed in Chile, as I always wanted, married to one of my second co More...
Apr 11, 2010
Catherine
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"With many events and anecdotes from my life," writes Allende, "it seems I have lived them, but when I write them down in the clear light of logic, they seem unlikely. This really doesn't disturb me, however. What does it matter if these events happened or if I imagined them? Life is, after all, a dream."
So exists the central paradox at the heart of this book, a paradox that Allende is happy to face head on and consider from all angles - of what stuff is the fa More...
So exists the central paradox at the heart of this book, a paradox that Allende is happy to face head on and consider from all angles - of what stuff is the fa More...
Apr 09, 2010
Tessa Rose
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 17, 2010
Laila
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I don't know how interested I would be in this book had I not lived in Chile for several months. However, since I have, I found it endearing and hilarious, especially when I read a few gems that I though my sister might appreciate.
"...on my last trip I found to my amazement that coffee had finally made its entrance into culture and now anyone willing to pay can find espressos and cappuccinos worthy of Italy."
Isabel, really? This book was published about 8 year More...
"...on my last trip I found to my amazement that coffee had finally made its entrance into culture and now anyone willing to pay can find espressos and cappuccinos worthy of Italy."
Isabel, really? This book was published about 8 year More...
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Sep 27, 2011
Rema
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~> قراءة أولى ل إيزابيل و ممتعة جداً !
هذه الصور الجميلة ، و الحياة التي تنبعث من السطور ، لا يسعك أمامها إلا أن تؤيد الكاتبة
و تعايشها التعلق بالوطن ؛**
( ربما توقفت طويلاً في المنتصف ،
حين الحكي عن السياسة ،
كن الفصول الاخيرة أمتعتني من جديد )...
هذه الصور الجميلة ، و الحياة التي تنبعث من السطور ، لا يسعك أمامها إلا أن تؤيد الكاتبة
و تعايشها التعلق بالوطن ؛**
( ربما توقفت طويلاً في المنتصف ،
حين الحكي عن السياسة ،
كن الفصول الاخيرة أمتعتني من جديد )...
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May 19, 2010
Hayfa
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القراءة لإيزابيل الليندي اصبحت بالنسبة لي كزيارة لبيت صديقة قريبة، اغيب لشهور وأعود واقرأ ، تكتب بذات الحسّ بذات الحبّ والشغف ومهما كان الموضوع الذي ستطرقه فإنها ستكون مقنعة جداً وساحرة لدرجة أننا نمسك الغلاف في اليد اليمنى ونجد أننا وصلنا للطرف الآخر بسرعة وخارج الزمن !
كتبت ايزابيل هذا الكتاب بعد حادثتين متقاربتين ، الأولى ملاحظة عرضية من حفيدها اليخاندرو الذي باغتها وهي تتحرى خريطة تجاعيدها امام المرآة، وقال لها مشفقاً : لا تهمتي يا عجوزي ، ستعيشين ثلاث سنوات على الأقل.
حينها More...
كتبت ايزابيل هذا الكتاب بعد حادثتين متقاربتين ، الأولى ملاحظة عرضية من حفيدها اليخاندرو الذي باغتها وهي تتحرى خريطة تجاعيدها امام المرآة، وقال لها مشفقاً : لا تهمتي يا عجوزي ، ستعيشين ثلاث سنوات على الأقل.
حينها More...
Nov 29, 2009
Abilio
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O Amor pelo Chile e uma grande nostalgia são a origem deste livro.
A presença contínua do passado, o sentimento de ver-se ausente da pátria, a melancolia por essa perda, a consciência de ter sido peregrina e forasteira: em O Meu País Inventado, Isabel Allende recolhe toda a emoção que isto implica, e transmite-a com inteligência e humor.
Analisado pelo olhar e pelas recordações da autora, o Chile torna-se um país real e simultaneamente fantástico, uma terra estóica e hospitaleira, de More...
A presença contínua do passado, o sentimento de ver-se ausente da pátria, a melancolia por essa perda, a consciência de ter sido peregrina e forasteira: em O Meu País Inventado, Isabel Allende recolhe toda a emoção que isto implica, e transmite-a com inteligência e humor.
Analisado pelo olhar e pelas recordações da autora, o Chile torna-se um país real e simultaneamente fantástico, uma terra estóica e hospitaleira, de More...
Jul 03, 2011
Patrícia
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Gosto muito da escrita da Isabel Allende. Gosto desde que li o “A casa dos espíritos”.
Este “O meu país inventado” é completamente diferente dos outros livros da escrito se bem que os completa, ou melhor conta a história por detrás da estória. O livro, muito autobiográfico, fala principalmente do Chile, dos Chilenos e de Isabel Allende enquanto Chilena. Claro que, como Isabel Allende vai avisando ao longo do livro, este Chile que nos é apresentado é um misto de realidade e imaginação como qu More...
Este “O meu país inventado” é completamente diferente dos outros livros da escrito se bem que os completa, ou melhor conta a história por detrás da estória. O livro, muito autobiográfico, fala principalmente do Chile, dos Chilenos e de Isabel Allende enquanto Chilena. Claro que, como Isabel Allende vai avisando ao longo do livro, este Chile que nos é apresentado é um misto de realidade e imaginação como qu More...
Sep 03, 2009
Dennis
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Since I've been living in Chile nearly 9 years and I'm a fan of Isabel Allende, I was interested to read this book - what a disillusioning experience. To say that she as a skewed vision of many things is an understatement (although she more-or-less admits that she's writing her version of things, not history.) I find Chileans to be generally good people but I doubt that it was the dictatorship which made them even more egoistic than before. The food is rather bland and reflects the national c
More...
Feb 18, 2009
Bootheryan
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Memoirs are often an intimate look into the lives of others and this book is no exception. If you are already an Isabel Allende fan, like me, then you will almost certainly like this book. If you have socialist beliefs or tendencies then you will almost certainly like this book.
Allende rambles through the history of Chile in the 20th century and weaves that history with tales of her family and up-bringing. It's almost like having a Chilean aunt tell you how she grew up. Although she More...
Allende rambles through the history of Chile in the 20th century and weaves that history with tales of her family and up-bringing. It's almost like having a Chilean aunt tell you how she grew up. Although she More...
Jul 24, 2011
Coincidence
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كانت رحلة جميلة في التعرف على الحياة الإجتماعية التشيلية التي تشابه حياتنا وعاداتنا ..
استمتعت كثيراً بتأثير ويلي الغريغروني < كما يصف التشليين العرق الآري - والذي أثر كثيراً في حياتها .
أحببت تجربة المتع الي استحدثتها في سان فرانسيسكو وعلاقتها الوطيدة مع جدها وأحفادها .. امممم لا املك المخزون وطولة البال حالياً لكتابة مراجعتي لهذه المذكرات .. كما أنني اصاب بالبكم حيال الكتب الرائعة و المؤلفين المفضلين لدي :/ More...
استمتعت كثيراً بتأثير ويلي الغريغروني < كما يصف التشليين العرق الآري - والذي أثر كثيراً في حياتها .
أحببت تجربة المتع الي استحدثتها في سان فرانسيسكو وعلاقتها الوطيدة مع جدها وأحفادها .. امممم لا املك المخزون وطولة البال حالياً لكتابة مراجعتي لهذه المذكرات .. كما أنني اصاب بالبكم حيال الكتب الرائعة و المؤلفين المفضلين لدي :/ More...
Aug 01, 2010
Sue
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I loved this book despite disagreeing with the author's far left politics. This is a very well written book and gives a great view into Chilean customs and culture. Most who read this should be able to see past the romantic view Allende has of when her uncle ruled Chili. His policies led to economic collapse. Obviously Pinochet was brutal, but that has nothing to do with left or right. Monsters come in all political persuasions.
Who cares about the politics though, I love how All More...
Who cares about the politics though, I love how All More...
Sep 11, 2010
Barbara
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This book was on the recommended reading list for our upcoming trip to Chile. About 2/3 in the author notes, "Well, I've gone way off on a tangent, and I need to pick up the main thread of this account, if there is any thread in all this meandering." This sentence describes the book completely and I found it tiresome. The last sentence of the paragraph..."I've tried to arrange my thoughts according to themes or periods of my life, but it's seemed artificial to me because memory tw
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May 17, 2009
Babs
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This book came to me as part of a holiday book exchange, and while I know of Isabel Allende, I have not read any of her novels, although I own at least one. I'll say it. I have never been a fan of Latin/South American writers or the land mass, in general. But, this memoir came recommended from a fellow reader whose opinions I respect. And perhaps the greatest compliment I can pay this book is that I now intend to go off and read Allende's books. And I feel like I will have deeper, better in
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Mar 03, 2009
Kristina Marie
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I have never read any works by Isabel Allende. I have been interested in her for awhile now based on history classes and on interviews. So, I was excited to see this book had been out and was about her relationship with Chile. However, I was disappointed and bored with most sections. The last few, and some sections in the middle, were excellent, though. My biggest complaint is that on many occasions she would start a story, then say she would not repeat herself since it is in one of her other bo
More...
Dec 13, 2009
Jess
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I thought this book was lacking in substance. Those Allende herself admits it's a rambling nostalgia rant, I found that there weren't any worthwhile recurring themes. There were some beautiful descriptions of Chile, however, I didn't find that even Allende really knew what she was trying to say. She didn't even seem sure herself that her classifications were accurate.
Part of the reason I was drawn to read this book was because of the connection between the Chilean coup and Sept. 11. But th More...
Part of the reason I was drawn to read this book was because of the connection between the Chilean coup and Sept. 11. But th More...
Nov 29, 2010
Jeffrey
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In preparation for my trip to Chile, I was recommended this book to build some background. Allende does a wonderful job of infusing short historical references into her account of Chilean culture, and really makes you feel like you'll show up in Santiago knowing the gist of how things work. However, I wonder if it's too specific to say the majority of Chileans will act and think in a similar way. And it didnt seem like too many things were any different from any other country, save the "
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Jul 20, 2010
Kater
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We listened to this on a long drive. While the narrator did a good job, Isabel Allende read an introduction, and I liked her voice so much that I wish she had read her entire book.
I've only read one of Allende's novels, but that didn't matter, as this is a completely stand-alone book. She talks about Chile, its history, and its people, with a familiar tone. At times she edges into stereotype, and her political views leak into the narration, but the charming anecdotes and occasional bu More...
I've only read one of Allende's novels, but that didn't matter, as this is a completely stand-alone book. She talks about Chile, its history, and its people, with a familiar tone. At times she edges into stereotype, and her political views leak into the narration, but the charming anecdotes and occasional bu More...
Feb 17, 2012
Isabel Allende is one of my all-time favorite writers. Her blend of wonderfully rich stories with impeccable writing keeps me coming back for more.
I listened to this a few weeks ago during my commute. I have a love/hate relationship with audiobooks because my enjoyment hinges so precariously on the talent of the voice artist. In this case, I was not let down. Blair Brown did an impeccable job. Her clear, upper class assured voice was perfect for the simultaneously self-assured and More...
I listened to this a few weeks ago during my commute. I have a love/hate relationship with audiobooks because my enjoyment hinges so precariously on the talent of the voice artist. In this case, I was not let down. Blair Brown did an impeccable job. Her clear, upper class assured voice was perfect for the simultaneously self-assured and More...
Sep 27, 2011
Carlos
rated it:
Es un libro sencillo que trata acerca de nada y de todo a la vez. Te acerca de manera muy personal al mundo de Isabel Allende. El cual como ella misma explica, puede o no, ser realidad,así como puede ser solo su imaginación.
La narración es extraordinaria, pues a pesar de ser una serie de divagaciones del autor, lo hace con una fluidez y una amenidad especiales. Que puede brincar de un tema a otro de manera repentina, sin que pierdas continuidad de la lectura.
La sensación de More...
La narración es extraordinaria, pues a pesar de ser una serie de divagaciones del autor, lo hace con una fluidez y una amenidad especiales. Que puede brincar de un tema a otro de manera repentina, sin que pierdas continuidad de la lectura.
La sensación de More...
May 08, 2011
J
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My Invented Country offers an insider's perspective about Chile that is as intimate as it is real. I have read some of the criticisms about Allende's depiction of her homeland and I find them to be without merit. Her descriptions about the national character are quite touching and do not appear in the slightest to be done with any malevolence.
There were points in the book that brought out a chuckle while others - and there were many - caused me to laugh out loud. She has such a wonde More...
There were points in the book that brought out a chuckle while others - and there were many - caused me to laugh out loud. She has such a wonde More...
Jul 29, 2007
Bookshop
rated it:
Yes, this is the Isabel Allende from the "House of Spirit" fame. She's a Chilean who has lived in various countries and is now calling the US home.
This is not a typical memoir as evidenced by the title: it is reminiscence of Chile, her country of birth as seen in her mind. There's no photograph of little Isabel in cute little dresses, there's no photograph of her ancestors in black and white. There's no statistics of Chile, no photographs of its landscape and people. Just r More...
This is not a typical memoir as evidenced by the title: it is reminiscence of Chile, her country of birth as seen in her mind. There's no photograph of little Isabel in cute little dresses, there's no photograph of her ancestors in black and white. There's no statistics of Chile, no photographs of its landscape and people. Just r More...
May 09, 2007
Jennifer
rated it:
I am a huge fan of Isabel Allende. I have been reading her novels for more than 10 years, and whenever I have a chance, I go to her readings. I even conned my way (with other friends) in to a private reading of only about 40 people.
Lately, however, I've been a little bored with her fiction. It's not that it's predictable, it's just not challenging. She is a straight-forward writer that does not tend to play hide-the-ball with her readers.
So while I have not read her two More...
Lately, however, I've been a little bored with her fiction. It's not that it's predictable, it's just not challenging. She is a straight-forward writer that does not tend to play hide-the-ball with her readers.
So while I have not read her two More...
