(Subdue) Violeta by Isabel Allende

[anarresa]

Violeta
translation by Frances Riddle
2 stars

A fictional memoir, written as a letter to a young descendant, covering Violeta's life from 1920-2020.
I was hoping this might be a bit more historical fiction, taking us through a country's (I assumed Chile) dramatic and changing century. It could also be more personal, taking us through a woman's life over a dramatic and changing century. It would up being a personal recounting with some weirdly unspecific historical and political events sprinkled throughout.

I think it takes place in Chile, since Brazil and Argentina were named as neighbors, and the far south had cold and changeable weather. Sacramento was a regional city but "the capital" I don't think was ever named. Certain homes or natural features were well-described, but I felt disconnected to a greater sense of place. Maybe this was a translation issue, but felt like the author's choice. Though if Allende wanted this to represent a greater South American experience she needed to keep historical events less specific.

I also didn't connect to Violeta. The novel started with chapters of description of the del Valle family before jumping to the childhood she could remember. Large jumps over years or decades of life were common throughout. The events that were recounted were telenovela dramatic, both personally and historically, but the writing was detached and matter-of-fact. Perhaps because it was being recounted by an elderly woman across the years, but that conceit was picked up and dropped so the novel could have been more present and engaging. Violeta just didn't feel like a real person and as this was basically a "memoir" it made the book fall flat.

I don't think I'll avoid Allende entirely, there were some creative and engaging moments, but I am not going to rush for a different novel.

[Joanne]

This was a bit of miss for me too anarresa. 3 stars from me is not a great review, From my said review

never felt connected to anyone but her in the long list of characters in this book. Or was it that I did not feel her emotion as she led us through her long, and event filled life? I don't know. I just don't know.