In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende | Conversation Starters

by Daily Books

In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende | Conversation Starters


In the Midst of Winter, written by Isabel Allende, introduces the reader is introduced to two characters who are brought together by a cataclysmic event that brings them and another character together. The story flows through time and across continents when 60-year-old Richard is brought back to Chile in the 1970 and the course that brought him to Brooklyn in the present day, where he would meet 62-year-old Lucia. Reportedly called a book for “human rights”, the novel was considered a success among both critics and readers.


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EVERY GOOD BOOK CONTAINS A WORLD FAR DEEPER than the surface of its pages. The characters and their world come alive, and the characters and its world still live on. Conversation Starters is peppered with questions designed to bring us beneath the surface of the page and invite us into the world that lives on.


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This book you are about to enjoy is an independent resource meant to supplement the original book. If you have not yet read the original book, we encourage doing before purchasing this unofficial Conversation Starters.

Genres: Fiction

ebook

Published November 27, 2017

Reviews

[Mary Lee]

I struggled to get interested in the story in the first third of the book. Going from present to past with confusing characters felt choppy. Once the plot revealed itself, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Helen C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploring the timely issues of human rights and the plight of immigrants and refugees, the book recalls Allende’s landmark novel The House of the Spirits in the way it embraces the cause of “humanity, and it does so with passion, humor, and wisdom that transcend politics” (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post). In the Midst of Winter will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

[Gwendolyn Broadmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Midst of Winter, Isabel Allende's sweeping novel is an adventure. We begin in present day Brooklin, where the worst snowstorm facilitates a collision course in the lives of three very different, yet, remarkable people. Each one hides painful secrets, encompassing present day Guatemala to the Brazil and Chile of the 1970's. When Richard Bowmaster, a lonely university professor in his sixties, hits the car of Evelyn Ortego, a young undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, at first instance it's a awful nuisance. In a panic, Evelyn reaches out for his help. Helpless to handle the horrifying situation, Richard seeks aid and advice from his basement tenant, Lucia Maraz, a fellow academic from Chile. As we explore the stark realities of their lives, we wonder if these three may be too damaged to open their hearts to love, friendship, and trust? I recommend this entertaining and educational visit with Isabel Allende. Gwendolyn Broadmore, author, Life Came to a Standstill.

[Nina Patrizio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. Not a very plausible story. It is as if the author needed to find an excuse to write about the plights of the undocumented and concocted a silly story about these two individuals risking everything to transport and make disappear a death body in the middle of winter to help a poor undocumented girl victimized by her ‘employer.’

[Marsha Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying tale of three people whose lives collide during the worst snowstorm in NY history. A master story-teller, Allende explores their intriguing back-stories while skillfully building suspense as the three drive cross-country with a corpse in the trunk.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read this book that I had read 4 years ago. Still a good story with amazing characters. I always enjoy Allende's writings. For me the pandemic has been a time for quite a bit of reading.

[Olga Espinoza · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion it was too slow

[Doris Pavonarius · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been good. But it was not.

[Sengul Soytas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was not very interesting and the narrative was weak, except for the parts related with the refugee crisis and the social and political status in Latin American Countries

I have read 3 books from Isabel Allende earlier which were much better than In the Midst of Winter

[Lena Nechet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more after watching an interview with the author.