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Inés of My Soul

by Isabel Allende (Goodreads Author)

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 · rating details · 9,087 ratings · 973 reviews

Born into a poor family in Spain, Ines, a seamstress, finds herself condemned to a life of hard work without reward or hope for the future. It is the sixteenth century, the beginning of the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and when her shiftless husband disappears to the New World, Ines uses the opportunity to search for him as an excuse to flee her stifling homeland and...more

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published November 7th 2006 by Harper (first published 2006)

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Dec 27, 2008 Mashael Alamri rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: latin-literature, translated

كانت هذه الرواية نائمة في مكتبتي منذ زمن لم يخطر ببالي أن أسحب ذلك الكتاب الذي يحمل صورة تلك الفتاة على غلافه كنت أقول سيكون هناك متسع لقراءة قصة حب , لكن ليس الآن وأسحب ما يقع بجانبها من كتب ,

في ذلك اليوم جاء دور الكتاب ووقع بين يدي تصفحته شدتني بدايته فغرقت بين حروفه مباشرة ,قررت أن أبدأ رحلتي مع إزابيل اللندي , تبدأ إنيس بسرد ما بذاكرتها لابنتها تحدثت عنما عاصرته عن الحب والحرب والثورات , كيف أنها ولأجل الحياة هاجرت تبحث عن الحرية بعيداً عن مدينتها سينتياغو لتجد نفسها محاصرة بسنتياغو أخرى تت...more
كانت هذه الرواية نائمة في مكتبتي منذ زمن لم يخطر ببالي أن أسحب ذلك الكتاب الذي يحمل صورة تلك الفتاة على غلافه كنت أقول سيكون هناك متسع لقراءة قصة حب , لكن ليس الآن وأسحب ما يقع بجانبها من كتب ,

في ذلك اليوم جاء دور الكتاب ووقع بين يدي تصفحته شدتني بدايته فغرقت بين حروفه مباشرة ,قررت أن أبدأ رحلتي مع إزابيل اللندي , تبدأ إنيس بسرد ما بذاكرتها لابنتها تحدثت عنما عاصرته عن الحب والحرب والثورات , كيف أنها ولأجل الحياة هاجرت تبحث عن الحرية بعيداً عن مدينتها سينتياغو لتجد نفسها محاصرة بسنتياغو أخرى تتحدث عن تلك الفترة التي بدأت بها مملكة إسبانيا الفتوحات في القارة الأمريكية الجنوبية جيوش أسبانيا تبيد السكان الأصليين وتتخذهم ( عبيداً ) , عن المعارك التي عاصرتها عن المجاعات التي داهمتهم عن انتقام الهنود ممن سرق أرضهم ويفاوضهم على أن يكونوا عبيداً , طعمت ذلك كلها بالحب كانت تتحدث عن الحب مختلطة حروفها بتبعات الحرب , في وقت ما نقترب من أن نشهق من أحداث الحروب تعود لتحدثنا عن حبها فتتبدل الشهقة لابتسامه حالمة :)

طبعاً التاريخ يعرف جيداً كيف أضطُهِد الهنود وكيف أبيدوا واغتصبت نسائهم وشردوا كل ذلك و الأسبان يدعون بأنهم يريدون نشر المسيحية لأن من واجبهم إيصال الصليب لأبعد ما يستطيعون , لإصلاح الأرض بيد أن الحاصل هي حروب ودمار شامل , في حين أنهم يتهمون الإسلام بأنه دين بربري لم ينشر إلا بحد السيف بالرغم من أن التاريخ الإسلامي لم يذكر مآسي وإبادات لشعوب كما هوا تاريخهم علامة استفهام كبيرة داخل رأسي ؟

أعجبت بعدل إزابيل حين تتحدث عن الهنود وعن الأسبان لم تميل كل الميل مع الأسبان ولم تغالي في الوقوف بجانب الهنود الحق بيّن لكل عاقل هي فقط تنقل الواقع هناك ( أحلام توسع وثراء ) وهنا دفاع وشرف وأرض وشجاعة , أنصفت إزابيل ,

لكن سؤالي هل الأحداث حقيقية ؟ هل هو توثيق لتلك الحقبة ؟
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Apr 29, 2011 Amal Fahad rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Arwa

كيف لي أن أكتب سيرةً عنّي إن لم أكن مثلها أو أفضل؟

القرن السادس عشر؛ تبدأ الرواية ببدايته, إنيس, الفتاة الخيّاطه, وأفضل من صنع الفطائر تُصبح ملكةً لمملكة لم تعرف بوجودها قبلاً .. لُعبة الأقدار.

وصفها يكادُ يكون مستحيلاً, أكادُ أُقسم أنني أشمُّ رائحة الدم, وطعم الجوع, وقشعريرة البرد, والخوف, والعطش والألم, يكادُ نفسي يتوقف أثناء الحروب, وأبتسمُ فرحاً بكيفية إعادة البناء للمدن, وتربية الحيوانات وزرعُ الثمار, يزدادُ قهري بالوحشية والإغتصاب, وخداعُ الحروب يدهشني, وموتُ الأبطال يتركُ بنفسي حُزناً غريبا...more

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Apr 19, 2007 Agnes rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People interested in South American history

While this did not live up to some of Isabel Allende's other work in terms of either writing style or character development, the history was fascinating. It is a fictionalized account of the founding of Chile, told through the eyes of the "mother of the country," the leading conquistador's mistress. The book is written to be her memoirs, so there are rather annoying interludes in which the narrator is in her "present day," talking about how she must finish the story before she dies, blah blah bl...more

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Feb 16, 2012 Tasneem rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Tasneem by: Mohammad

Shelves: wish-to-read, 2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

رواية عبقرية. بل نظلمها إن قلنا رواية. هي ملحمة عظيمة. كتبتها امرأة. الأمر الذي يشي بالفخر. فصدقت حين قالت : أن الحب كالحرب. يفعلها الرجال و تؤرخها النساء. و هاهي بكل عبقرية تكتب عن غزو الأسبان لأمريكا اللاتينية و احتلالهم لأرض تشيلي الخصبة.

تكتب الرواية على لسان المرأة الأسبانية التي حكمت تشيلي مع عشيقها الفارس الغازي بيدرو دي بالديبيا الذي غزا تشيلي و ارتكب من الجرائم في حق أهلها ما يشيب له الولدان. تكتبها و هي التشيلية التي تنحدر من سلالة لا بدا و أن تعُذّبت على يد بيدرو دي بالديبيا وتكن الكُر...more

رواية عبقرية. بل نظلمها إن قلنا رواية. هي ملحمة عظيمة. كتبتها امرأة. الأمر الذي يشي بالفخر. فصدقت حين قالت : أن الحب كالحرب. يفعلها الرجال و تؤرخها النساء. و هاهي بكل عبقرية تكتب عن غزو الأسبان لأمريكا اللاتينية و احتلالهم لأرض تشيلي الخصبة.

تكتب الرواية على لسان المرأة الأسبانية التي حكمت تشيلي مع عشيقها الفارس الغازي بيدرو دي بالديبيا الذي غزا تشيلي و ارتكب من الجرائم في حق أهلها ما يشيب له الولدان. تكتبها و هي التشيلية التي تنحدر من سلالة لا بدا و أن تعُذّبت على يد بيدرو دي بالديبيا وتكن الكُره للشيطانة خليلته.

طوال الرواية و أنا أسأل نفسي. كيف استطاعت أن تكتب عن هذه المجازر و ترويها لنا كتاريخ بطولة و سنوات فتح عظيمة تتباهى بها أسبانيا بين الأمم. أن تحكي الحرب على لسان العدو و من وجهة نظره.. أمرٌ لا يصدر إلا من عظيم متمكن.

كيف استطاعت أن تنسلخ من جلدها حتى يهيأ للقارئ أنها حقا إنيس الإسبانية التي خرجت مع بالديبيا في مهمة مقدسة تُدعى فتح تشيلي و نشر كلمة الرب في الأدغال؟

حين قرأت " باولا" خُيل لي أني قرأت أفضل ما كتبت إيزابيل. فأنا قرأت سيرتها الذاتية. التي أبدعت في كتابتها بطريقة الماضي و الحاضر. دون أن تنفصل أو تضيّع منها القارئ. غير أن إنيس حبيبة روحي تُظهر مدى عظمتها و احترافها. فهاهي تفعلها مع سيرة ذاتية لامرأة أخرى. تفعلها بنفس المهارة و كأنها حياتها فعلا. تفعلها مع العدو. و كأنها هي العدو و ليست من سلالة الضحية.

أخبرتني هذه الرواية عن الكثير الذي كنت أجهله عن تاريخ أسبانيا و كيف أن وحشيتهم ضد المسلمين و العرب في الأندلس لم تكن حصرية ضد الإسلام. فهاهم يرتكبون نفس المذابح و أسوأ منها في بيرو و تشيلي تحت اسم الرب الذي لاشك بريئا منهم. لم أجزع لنهاية بالديبيا، على العكس تمامًا كنت أدعو طوال الرواية -التي تزامن وقت قرائتها مع حرب الليبين الأحرار ضد الطاغية معمر القذافي- أن يُقتل شر قتلة. فقط لأن هذا هو العدل. أنا لم أعد أتعاطف مع القتلة حتى لو كانوا أبطال الروايات. اللعنة على كل قاتل و لو تحت ستار بـ اسم الرب.
أتمنى أن يتاح للسوريين أن يطبّقوا الطريقة التي قتل بهاشعب المابوتشي العظيم على بشار و كلابه.

اللعنة عليكِ يا إيزابيل. اللعنة عليكِِ. منحتني روايتَكِ هذه دفعة غرور جديدة. فامرأة مثلك تتباهى دومًا أنها بدأت الكتابة في السن الذي تبدأ فيه النساء في حياكة جوارب الأحفاد، تُخبرني ألا أقلق، فأن تكون أديبا حقيقيا لا يرتبط أبدًا بالسن الذي ستبدأ فيه إنتاجك الأدبيّ. صقل الموهبة و مهارة الكتابة فقط هو ما يهم.

إيزابيل الليندي و رضوى عاشور هما أيقوناتي التي أحدّث بهن نفسي ليل صباح.. و ما كانت الدنيا لتكون في غيابهن. فليباركهن الرب !

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Dec 21, 2007 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: book-club, translated-to-english

Quickly summed up, Isabel Allende's novel: Ines of My Soul, is a "true" account about Dona Ines Saurez who left Spain in the 1500's to go to the Americas and ended up helping conquering parts of Chile. I find it sad that it took over 400 years for her part in history to be recognized.

I have never read a book by Isabel Allende. This was recommended to me by a friend. So I cannot compare this to any of her other works.

I do not know much about Chilean or Peruvian history, so I found this novel to b...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Shriya rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: tome-travelling, something-borrowed, wishlist, fiercely-feminist, favourites

A very 'Inés' kind of review:

I have been a reader for the last eleven years and am now the loyal fan of Isabel Allende , writing this review of Inés of My Soul in the year of Our Lord 2012.I am not sure whether this review will convince anyone to read this book but I am sure this is one of the best historical novels ever written and Isabel Allende is, undoubtedly, the only writer who hovers between a historian, a storyteller and a feminist.

As a result this book isn't limited to a singl...more

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Apr 28, 2011 Audra (Unabridged Chick) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: heroine-amazing, historicals, mood-evocative, sense-of-place, travelogues, place-south-america, place-spain

Inés Suárez is a heroine that will stick with me for a long time. At the book's opening, she estimates she's about seventy years old and is going to soon die. In the rambling way of someone working through their memories, distracted at times by side stories and the need to unburden her soul, Inés' story unfolds.

Born to an ordinary Spanish family, she and her childhood lover are caught up in the adventures of the Americas and the untold riches any man can claim. She goes to join him after he lea...more

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Mar 05, 2010 Courtney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, favorites

This is a historical fiction novel, based on the true story of Inés Suárez, a poor Spanish woman who travels to Peru to find her husband (who left her for the adventure of the Americas) in the 1500's. Finding her husband is an excuse for her to leave her hometown and be free. In Spain she was left in limbo as basically a widow waiting for husband, who she may never have had word of. In Peru, she learns of her husband's death and then meets Pedro de Valdivia, war hero and Francisco Pizarro's fiel...more

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Mar 12, 2009 Chandra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, isabel-allende

This and Zorro are a bit of a departure from Isabel Allende's typical style. This novel tells the story of real life conquistadora Ines Suarez. (Allende says in her author's note: This novel is a work of intuition, but any similarity to events and persons relating to the conquest of Chile is not coincidental.) For better or worse, Ines played a vital role in the conquest of Chile and the Mapuche people. I enjoyed reading this quite a bit, but for me it doesn't quite measure up to Allende's other...more

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Jul 07, 2007 Oona rated it 2 of 5 stars

Well, Isabel Allende has been one of my favorite writers since high school. I read The House of the Spirits and fell in love with her fantastical and historical story. I've been a devoted reader of her stuff throughout the years. Unfortunately, I haven't yet found another of her books that resonates as much as House of the Spirit did and this book is no exception. The book is about the Spanish conquest of Chile and includes a lot of interesting history and well-developed characters. The battle s...more

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Jan 18, 2009 Carmen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ever since I finished my undergrad degree, I've always wanted to read a book in Spanish - just to say I've done it and I hear that Allende is a fantastic writer!

My expectations were lived up to by this book. I didn't read it in Spanish, but it was a GREAT read. It was a fictional history book on the founding of Chile in South America. It is therefore, set in the 1500's and from the viewpoint of a woman - Ines Suarez. She takes us through her life story and her part in the founding Santiago, Chil...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Stuart rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Inés of My Soul is a fantastic book to read if you enjoy fictional literature which also manages to be educational. Although, calling this book 'fictional' is not entirely true, given that Inés Suárez, as well as many of the other characters in the book such as Rodrigo de Quiroga and Pedro de Valdivia, were real, living conquistadors of the 1500's. There is an authors note at the book of the book which states;

"This novel is a work of intuition, but any similarity to events and persons related to...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Cheryl Gatling added it

This is a historical novel about real historical people about whom relatively little is known. At least relatively little is known about them in the US. It may be different in Chile. These are the heroes of the founding of Chile, or I should say the European conquering of Chile, although their actions were often far from heroic. Ines Suarez made a living for herself doing a little baking, a little sewing, since her good-for-nothing husband left her in Spain and went off to explore the New World....more This is a historical novel about real historical people about whom relatively little is known. At least relatively little is known about them in the US. It may be different in Chile. These are the heroes of the founding of Chile, or I should say the European conquering of Chile, although their actions were often far from heroic. Ines Suarez made a living for herself doing a little baking, a little sewing, since her good-for-nothing husband left her in Spain and went off to explore the New World. She followed him, enduring the sweltering climate, plagues of insects, and would-be rapists to find her husband was dead. She was neither very surprised nor very disappointed, but set herself up in Peru doing a little baking and a little sewing. Until she met Pedro de Valdivia, an army captain. Their eyes met, they fell into bed, and didn't get out for the next three days. Then Pedro set off to conquer Chile, and took her with him. He probably would have married her, but he already had a wife back in Spain, so they lived as husband and wife.

All the conquistadors wanted to live in Peru. Peru was filled with gold. Peru had established cities, and Indians who were more or less willing to work. No one cared to settle Chile. Chile had no known mines. It was nearly impossible to get there. The only routes were over steep, airless, bitterly cold mountains, or broad, burning deserts. Once there, the Indians were fierce and hostile. But the climate was pleasant, and the land was fertile. Pedro and Ines dreamed of founding a civilization of equality and peace. (Except for the Indians, of course. It was more or less taken for granted that Indians would serve as servants and laborers.) The little band of Spaniards straggled across the desert barely alive, then started to build houses and plant crops. The local Indians swept down and burned everything up. The settlers hung on, wearing rags for clothes, and eating soups made with insects and rats. Eventually reinforcements arrived, and the rebuilding started. The Indians waited for a while, watching, figuring out the habits and weaknesses of these armored intruders. The Mapuche Indians would fight, and fight, and fight, for years beyond the ending of this book.

Ines is a feisty, practical, passionate woman. She tends the sick, feeds the poor from her own kitchen, wields a sword like a man, and supports her man. It seems that Santiago is built almost entirely on the strength of her iron will alone. Some readers thought there should be more of Ines's personal story, and a little less of the battles, but I loved the history. The Indians were cheated, mistreated and murdered in a very different way from the way they were cheated and murdered in the north. It is Ines who narrates the story, and one can't help but sympathize with her resolve to survive and prosper. But Ines is not blind to the faults of the Spanish, who may be brave and proud, but are also greedy and cruel, and she respects the Indians for their strength and cleverness. Indeed, the Mapuche would eventually lose their land to the Spanish, but the fight they put up is spectacular, and Lautaro, their leader, is praised as one of the greatest military strategists who ever lived.

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May 06, 2012 Carl Brush rated it 4 of 5 stars

Isabel Allende’s latest work is a bit of a disappointment for me, as her last couple of efforts have been--disappointing only because I have come to expect the awesome from her, and this doesn’t quite reach that standard .
Inés of My Soul is an historical novel, an interesting and well-crafted book, about the founding of Chile, told by and through the eyes of Inés Suárez, mistress of the country’s conqueror and ruler,Pedro Valdivia. Inés a strong and contradictory woman, scrabbles her way firs...more Isabel Allende’s latest work is a bit of a disappointment for me, as her last couple of efforts have been--disappointing only because I have come to expect the awesome from her, and this doesn’t quite reach that standard .
Inés of My Soul is an historical novel, an interesting and well-crafted book, about the founding of Chile, told by and through the eyes of Inés Suárez, mistress of the country’s conqueror and ruler,Pedro Valdivia. Inés a strong and contradictory woman, scrabbles her way first out of her confining Spanish family, then out of Spain, then out of Peru, into prominence in early Santiago. She has Latin passions that make her a force wherever she lands and peasant skills to make her independent of those who would put her in thrall. She is healer, sex therapist, warrior, cook, and seamstress.
Allende tells the story skillfully and with great sympathy. Yet, there’s flatness to the tale. Too much history and not enough novel, perhaps. She declares that the book is a work of the intuition rather than that of the historian, and I would have her use even more of that famed intuition. There are threads that shine enough to hint what that the book would be like if she did. The subplot of the poor Indian boy who appears mysteriously, then disappears years later, then reappears in an astounding form that brings huge surprise and crisis to the embryonic Spanish settlements is one of those. Inés’ imagined visitations by her husband toward the end of her life and of the book are another. Had Allende managed to exploit more of these kinds of surprises and fantasies and that kind of suspense, the work might have been utterly extraordinary. And there is no lack of such opportunities in the historical record. Pizzaro’s famed betrayal of the Incan ruler Atahualpa, the scheming among the Pizarro brothers as they rape and plunder their way through Peru and beyond, the fact that all these conquistadores (Cortez, too) came from Extremadura, the same tiny corner of Spain where Inés herself was born. All this cries for the kind of spiritual and imaginary connection that I love in Allende. As a result, this excellent novel fails to soar as it could and should given the subject matter and the skills of the author.
However, I carp too much, I think. This is a well-told tale about a fascinating, woman, neglected by history, in an era of history and geographical setting most Americans know almost nothing about. I learned a great deal and had a good time doing it. That, and a glass of good Chilean chardonnay—who could ask more of a book or of life?(less)

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May 23, 2011 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I do give this book 3 stars because it held my attention and kept me reading til the end. I am fascinated by history and must admit to my shocking naivete regarding Spanish acquisition by conquest and in this case..... Chile. My childhood history books glorified the "conquistadors" and didn't delve too much into the specifics of how the victory was attained. I knew we subjugated and enslaved the natives but not much more. This book was eye-opening and upsetting at times though thoroughly rivetin...more

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May 15, 2011 Javier Silva rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Chilenos y personas interesadas en la historia de sudamérica

No sabía de qué era el libro antes de comenzar a leerlo, por lo que me sorprendió en las primeras páginas cuando descubrí que era de la historia de Chile por allá por el siglo XVI, y más aún al terminarlo y haberme dado cuenta que me encantó y aprendí mucho de mi país. No lo encuentro muy similar a otros libros de Allende que he leído, pero no iría tan lejos como otros reviews que dicen que es algo completamente distinto.

El libro habla sobre Inés de Suárez, mujer de la cual no se habla mucho en...more

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Feb 08, 2011 Elsje rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2007

In deze roman beschrijft Allende het geromantiseerde leven van Inés Suárez, die in het stichten van Chili in de 16e eeuw een belangrijke rol speelde.

We volgen Inés vanaf dat ze een jaar of twintig is en zich geeft aan een foute man. Die foute man bezwijkt voor de fabels met goud en roem die geschilderd worden als zekere toekomst voor mensen die de Nieuwe Wereld (Zuid-Amerika) onder Spaanse heerschappij zullen brengen.

Inés volgt haar man (die inmiddels overleden blijkt) en krijgt een verhouding m...more

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Dec 07, 2010 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction, literary-fiction, historical-fiction

Having read and loved The House of Spirits(possibly my favourite book of all time), I've come to expect only the best from Isabel Allende.

She is, I believe, one of the few authors whose descriptive, multi-layered and hypnotic prose make the reader feel as if they were actually living and experiencing the heart and soul of her stories instead of just merely reading it.

And with this book, it's no different.

Inés of my soul chronicles the life of real life sixteenth-century heroine, DoÃ±a Inés Suáre...more

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Dec 01, 2010 Rea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical

From the perspective of someone looking at the craft that's gone into weaving this novel, it is an excellent piece. A true work of art. Very well written and somewhat reminiscent of works written prior to the 70's. 5 star no doubt about it. For me, personally, I think it was a 3 star read. So I'm going to meet in the middle.

At times when reading this, I had to keep reminding myself that the narrative is a (probably romanticized) fictionalized version of events and not the absolute truth. A fasci...more

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Nov 06, 2010 Bibliophile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dupa ce-am terminat romanul asta, mi-am zis ca o sa-mi vina tare greu sa ma mai apuc de altceva, mai ales dupa ce rumeg toate informatiile mai nou introduse in creieras. N-am mai intalnit de foarte multa vreme, si cand zic asta chiar asta vreau sa spun, o carte atat de bine alcatuita, si atat de bine povestita!

In speta, e un roman de aventuri [sa-i zicem asa, sa nu-i spunem de dragoste, pentru ca eu nu prea citesc de-astea amoroase], despre cucerirea Chile-ului de catre spanioli. Da, in mare, de...more Dupa ce-am terminat romanul asta, mi-am zis ca o sa-mi vina tare greu sa ma mai apuc de altceva, mai ales dupa ce rumeg toate informatiile mai nou introduse in creieras. N-am mai intalnit de foarte multa vreme, si cand zic asta chiar asta vreau sa spun, o carte atat de bine alcatuita, si atat de bine povestita!

In speta, e un roman de aventuri [sa-i zicem asa, sa nu-i spunem de dragoste, pentru ca eu nu prea citesc de-astea amoroase], despre cucerirea Chile-ului de catre spanioli. Da, in mare, despre asta e vorba. In particular, insa, lucrurile se schimba. Aflam ca la cucerirea acestui stat a participat si o femeie, pe numele ei Ines Suarez, cu o personalitate absolut formidabila, si cu o viata care, desi se anunta relativ plictisitoare, la inceput, pe continentul mama, a devenit uluitoare, prin aventura si prin batalii, prin morti si prin salvari incredibile.

Mi-a placut mult si modul in care e conceput romanul. La inceput, o avem pe eroina noastra, la o varsta destul de inaintata, care-si scrie memoriile, in America de Sud. Bineinteles, se face o trecere inevitabila la tineretea acesteia, care e fascinanta, mai ales datorita mariajului insolit cu un anume Juan de Malaga, a good for nothing husband, cum se arata mai tarziu. Interesat numai de senzatii tari si aventuri cu tot felul de femei, sotul se hotaraste sa plece in Peru, care, la vremea aceea, era ocupat de spanioli de vreo 20 de ani. Ines nu primeste nici macar o misiva din partea lui, in schimb afla prin intermediul altor persoane, cum ca Juan se imbarcase pe o nava pentru Americi. Dupa ce face eforturi reale de a se intretine, vanzand placinte in piata publica [desi asta facea si in timpul casatoriei, deoarece Juan nu era bun decat la cheltuit banii pe care Ines ii castiga], femeia reuseste sa stranga o oarecare suma de bani, care sa-i permita sa-si achite costul calatoriei pana in noul continent. Scuza oficiala e ca se duce sa-si caute sotul, pentru a trai cu el, dar realmente, Ines viseaza la o viata care sa nu o limiteze la coptul placintelor in piata... ea vrea ispravi indraznete. Problema, este, bineinteles, de alta natura, respectiv ca familia nu prea ar vrea sa o lase sa plece singura [mai ales ca, in perioada respectiva, pe la ~1535, nu se obisnuia ca femeile sa iasa singure pe strada, daramite sa plece intr-un voiaj de asa o anvergura]. Pana la urma, cu chiu cu vai, Ines reuseste sa se imbarce [insotita, bineinteles, de o nepoata, care ar fi trebuit sa devina calugarita, dar care, bineinteles, se casatoreste "natural" pana sa ajunga cele doua in Lumea Noua] pe vas, si sa poposeasca la destinatie. Dupa scurta vreme, insa, afla ca Juan de Malaga fusese ucis intr-o batalie, si, desi informatia i se pare bizara [avand in vedere natura caracterului sotului ei, care nu i-ar fi permis sa se inroleze in armata], primeste de la guvernatorul Peru-ului o oarecare dota, un numar de indieni, si un loc unde sa stea. Toate astea, bineinteles, datorita statului ei de vaduva de soldat.

Urmatorul capitol debuteaza cu un personaj total necunoscut mie, pana la acel moment. Ni se povesteste viata lui Pedro de Valvidia, spaniol, de asemenea, soldat loial etern al lui Carol Quintul...pe scurt, fapte de eroism, din diverse razboaie si batalii cu alte popoare. In momentul asta, trebuie sa recunosc, nu intelegeam de ce se facuse trecerea intr-atat de brusca la istoria altui personaj - mai mult, nu intelegeam ce legatura avea Pedro de Valvidia cu Ines, si chiar m-am enervat putin, din aceasta cauza. Abia mai tarziu aveam sa aflu ca cei doi aveau sa traiasca multa vreme impreuna, dupa ce Valvidia urma sa aleaga, de asemenea, necunoscutul si aventura Lumii Noi.

Ca sa nu o mai lungesc, am sa zic doar ca, o data ajuns in Peru, Pedro de Valvidia, care avea un oarecare statut militar, observa situatiile prezente, reale, anume ca spaniolii ii abuzau clar pe indieni, ca le rapisera, practic, imperiul Inca, si ca, mai mult, intre spanioli planau tot felul de neintelegeri, care duceau la o coruptie de toata frumusetea. Scarbit de dorintele de aviditate ale fratilor Pizarro, Pedro decide ca singura solutie prin care poate scapa de influenta negativa si de mafia conducatorilor Peru-ului este sa cucereasca alt teritoriu, si anume, Chile. Cu cativa ani inainte, insa, se mai incercase acest lucru, de catre Diego de Almagro, care, insa, trebuise sa isi retraga trupele, din cauza desertului ingrozitor [ce nu-i permitea, practic, sa transporte atatia oameni si bagaje pana la destinatie, pentru ca sucombau pe drum] si a luptelor dintre conchistadori si populatia indigena [un neam anume le facea cele mai mari probleme, Mapuche - razboinici bravi, care luptau pana la moarte pentru pamantul lor.].
Ei, si...de-abia dupa ce circumstantele ii unesc pe cei doi, pe Ines si pe Pedro, incepe reala cucerire a viitorului stat Chile, cu tot felul de incurcaturi si greutati, de la lipsa acuta a apei in desert, alaturi de moartea multor soldati si indieni sclavi, pana la razboiele continue cu populatia locala, o data ce spaniolii isi stabilesc tabara in Santiago.

In alte cuvinte, un roman absolut fenomenal. Mi-a placut nespus, cu atat mai mult cu cat sunt pasionata de istorie, in general, iar despre istoria Americii de Sud cunosc foarte putine amanunte [cu exceptia civilizatiilor indigene, Inca, Maya si Azteci, pentru ca ei mi s-au parut interesanti si m-am mai documentat..]. Isabel Allende face o treaba foarte buna cand vine vorba de a transforma o cronica [scrisa de insasi Ines] intr-un roman de exceptie. Mi-a placut tot in cartea asta, tocmai din acest motiv am si spus, mai sus, ca rar am sansa sa parcurg o minunatie de genul asta. :) Recomand intens!(less)

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Dec 04, 2009 Lisa Hutchinson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am marveled at Isabel Allende's surreal historical narrative. "Ines of my Soul" is a captivating, penetrating and sensual memoir of a courageous and passionate Ines Suarez to her daughter Isabel. the recount of the wars in Chile in the 16th Century, vividly captures the atrocities that have been committed by two very different cultures. The gruesome confrontation where one fights because of greed (conquistadors) and the other for freedom (Indigenous Indians) leaves a bittersweet taste in my mo...more

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Sep 14, 2009 David rated it 5 of 5 stars

Isabel Allende is Chile's most famous author. She is recognized worldwide for her novels, most of which are described as "magic realism" (magical elements in a realistic setting). This work, however, tells the story of the original conquest of Chile through the eyes of Ines Suarez. Her story begins in Spain in the early 1500s. She comes to Peru in search of her husband (who died before she could find him). She becomes the mistress of Pedro de Valdivia, but we soon discover she is no home-body. T...more

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Feb 12, 2009 Beth Maddaus rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: delicious-novels

I have long been an admirer of Isabel Allende's books and was delighted to find that her latest book, Ines of My Soul is about a famous conquistadora of Chile who in the mid-16th century helps to build the city of Santiago.

The book begins with this fascinating woman's youth in Spain where she marries a man, Juan de Malaga, who leaves her in Spain to pursue riches in the Americas.

After several years in Spain as a "widow of the Americas", Ines negotiates a permit that will allow her to travel acro...more I have long been an admirer of Isabel Allende's books and was delighted to find that her latest book, Ines of My Soul is about a famous conquistadora of Chile who in the mid-16th century helps to build the city of Santiago.

The book begins with this fascinating woman's youth in Spain where she marries a man, Juan de Malaga, who leaves her in Spain to pursue riches in the Americas.

After several years in Spain as a "widow of the Americas", Ines negotiates a permit that will allow her to travel across the ocean to join her husband. Upon arriving, she follows information of his whereabouts and travels through the Continent until she learns that her husband died in the battle of Las Salinas. Believing that her husband was pursuing gold--not war--and not wiling to accept the word of others, she travels to Cuzco, Peru, to find out for herself if her husband has died. She learns that all Spanish men were conscripted into battle and that both soldiers and prospecters share a thirst for gold and conquest.

Now a widow in Cuzco, Ines set up a business using her skills as a seamstress and cook and made a living providing for the population. While in Cuzco, she begins a love affair with Pedro de Valdivia and with him sets out to conquer the territory of Chile. The travel from Cuzco through the vast Atacama Desert and hostile territory to the beauiful hills and valleys of the Mapocho river region where the group establishes the city of Santiago took thirteen months.

The court of the Inquisition extends its reach to prosecute Pedro de Valdivia--a married man with a wife in Spain--for his relationship with Ines. The records from his trial provided much of the information that Isabel Allende was able to use in her book.

Ines' perspective from the end of her life, full of the long-term implications of the conquistador's actions, and filtered through the prism of Isabel Allende's wonderful imagination, gives a response to the violent events that are associated with conquest.

The book was enjoyable to me for its historical perspective and geographical information. My favorite Isabel Allende books remain House of Spirits and Eva Luna but I would recommend this one to readers who enjoy history and adventure. (less)

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Jan 07, 2013 Laura Raymond rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book. There are a number of other very good reviews below that explain the details so well that it would be redundant to do it again. Suffice it to say that Ines Suarez is a real historical person who really did accomplish all the things described in the story. Allende's writing does an extraordinary job of creating (recreating?) a realistic, human, passionate, strong-willed,endlessly compassionate, indomitable woman of her time.

The story starts as small as Ines' initial horizons, b...more

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Aug 02, 2011 Giuliana rated it 2 of 5 stars

Knowing virtually nothing about Chile, let alone Chilean and Spanish history, I was glad to learn about it by reading this book. The thing is, the writing didn't exactly transport me. Allende is a good writer, but the writing and/or translation is a bit clunky. Maybe if I could read Spanish, I might have liked the original better. Some of the plot points were under developed; this may have to do with Allende's having to fill out and conjecture what may have happened based on the presumably dry f...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Nan Williams rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: quit

I've read 5 or 6 other books by Allende and thrilled to all of them. I love the way she weaves her characters through history. The lives she depicts are difficult, but credible and the characters are strong and well defined.

This book was most confusing. The story is told in a convoluted manner with lots of skips in the sequence. Maybe "skips" is not the right word. The time line jumps back and forth so it's very difficult to have any continuity. Also, one event seems to conflict with another. Fo...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Laly Leh rated it 5 of 5 stars

انتهيت منها ولم ينتهي انبهاري بعد ببطلة الروايةانيس تلك الشخصية المذهلة التي أحببتها كثيرا ورافقتني لثلاث ليالي واستطاعت ان تأسرني بقوتها وحنانهاونبلها وفطنتها وعطفها على من حولها بشخصيتها الآسرة التي حملت تناقضات الحياة كلها بين جنباتها فالكاتبةايزابيل وفقت من خلال صفحات الرواية أن تشدنا بسردها الرائع الذي بدا كما لو أننا نشاهد فيلما سينمائيا استطاعت من خلال تلك السطورأن تنقلنا لتلك الحقبة بأحداثها وحروبها ونزاعاتها حتى كدنا نشم روائح الحروب والجيف التي تناولها آبان فترة المجاعة التي حلت بهم ون...more

انتهيت منها ولم ينتهي انبهاري بعد ببطلة الروايةانيس تلك الشخصية المذهلة التي أحببتها كثيرا ورافقتني لثلاث ليالي واستطاعت ان تأسرني بقوتها وحنانهاونبلها وفطنتها وعطفها على من حولها بشخصيتها الآسرة التي حملت تناقضات الحياة كلها بين جنباتها فالكاتبةايزابيل وفقت من خلال صفحات الرواية أن تشدنا بسردها الرائع الذي بدا كما لو أننا نشاهد فيلما سينمائيا استطاعت من خلال تلك السطورأن تنقلنا لتلك الحقبة بأحداثها وحروبها ونزاعاتها حتى كدنا نشم روائح الحروب والجيف التي تناولها آبان فترة المجاعة التي حلت بهم ونسمع أصوات صهيل الخيول التي خاضت غمار الحروب وتنقل لنا صور الدماء التي تمضخت على وجوه المقاتلين البواسل من خلال البطلة التي رافقناها بفترة صباها ومشاداتها مع جدتها ومغامراتها مع زوجها الأول وتنقلاتها برحلة البحث عنه وقصص عشقها وحبها لبيدروا حتى تزوجت من رودريغوا وأصبحت تلك العجوز الحاكمة التي استطاعت ان تبني مدينة على أكتافها وحبت أن تروي سيرتها لابنتها بالأيام الأخيرة من حياتها ..انبهرت بكل أحداث الرواية وحتى بقوة وجرأة فيليب ذاك الصبي الهندي المذهل الذي اندس بصفوف الاسبان دون أن يثير ريبة أحد به مخاطرا بحياته واستطاع أن يساعد قبيلته بنقل أسرار العدو ويتعلم منهم خدع الحرب لينقلها لقبيلته الذين ضحوا بكل شيء من أجل أن يحافظوا على أرضهم ضد المحتلين ونضالهم ضرب أروع الأمثال على القوة التي يجب أن يجابه بها العدو!(less)

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Jun 18, 2011 Mrsgaskell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 8-star, bookcrossing

This is the imagined story of a real person, Inés Suarez, a 16th century Spanish seamstress who travelled to Peru searching for her husband. Finding that he had died, she became the mistress of Pedro de Valdivio, conquistador and field marshal to Francisco Pizarro. They crossed the desert to Chile amidst much hardship, and eventually founded the city of Santiago. After a number of years, Valdivio abandoned Inés under threat of the Inquisition because he had a wife in Spain. She married and lived...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Jgrace rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Ines of My Soul – Isabel Allende
4 stars

Inez Suarez, a 16th century conquistadora, played an important role in the Spanish conquest of Chile. Ines of My Soul is the fictional memoir of this amazing woman. Allende gives Inez a voice to tell the story of her marriages, love affairs and adventures. She details the brutality of the wars against the indigenous population, and describes the difficult labor of founding a city in a new land. Inez directs the text of her memoir to her step-daughter. At a...more

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Nov 15, 2012 JoAnne Pulcino rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction, historical-fiction

INES OF MY SOUL

Isabel Allende

INES OF MY SOUL is the absolutely brilliant historical fiction novel depicting Dona Ines Suarez (1507-1580), known as Chile’s founding mother.

Ms. Allende’s lyrical prose and lush descriptions are just one of the marvels of this spellbinding book. She captures the 16th century with the courage of the conquistadors, while maintain a real sensitivity for the native Indians.

An aged Ines recalls her modest childhood in Spain and her travels to the New World to find her hu...more

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About Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende Llona is a Chilean-American novelist. Allende, who writes in the "magic realism" tradition, is considered one of the first successful women novelists in Latin America. She has written novels based in part on her own experiences, often focusing on the experiences of women, weaving myth and realism together. She has lectured and done extensive book tours and has taught literature at s...more

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“A man does what he can; a woman does what a man cannot.” — 119 people liked it

“And I am not one of those women who trips twice over the same stone.” — 39 people liked it

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