A Long Petal of the Sea: A Novel [B0635]

2020 HCDJ in Gift-Worthy condition. From the author of The House of the Spirits, this epic novel spanning decades and crossing continents follows two young people as they flee the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War in search of a place to call home. "One of the most richly imagined portrayals of the Spanish Civil War to date, and one of the strongest and most affecting works in [Isabel Allende's] long career."-The New York Times Book Review.

In the late 1930s, civil war grips Spain. When General Franco and his Fascists succeed in overthrowing the government, hundreds of thousands are forced to flee in a treacherous journey over the mountains to the French border. Among them is Roser, a pregnant young widow, who finds her life intertwined with that of Victor Dalmau, an army doctor and the brother of her deceased love. In order to survive, the two must unite in a marriage neither of them desires. Together with two thousand other refugees, Roser and Victor embark on the SS Winnipeg, a ship chartered by the poet Pablo Neruda, to Chile: "the long petal of sea and wine and snow." As unlikely partners, the couple embraces exile as the rest of Europe erupts in world war. Starting over on a new continent, they face trial after trial, but they will also find joy as they patiently await the day when they might go home. Through it all, their hope of returning to Spain keeps them going. Destined to witness the battle between freedom and repression as it plays out across the world, Roser and Victor will find that home might have been closer than they thought all along. A masterful work of historical fiction about hope, exile, and belonging, A Long Petal of the Sea shows Isabel Allende at the height of her powers.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Loved learning about the history of refugees trying to escape Franco in the 30s and then further upheaval after settling in Chile. So much I had no idea about but it was beautifully told thru the lives of a family and the people they crossed paths with. Lots of great threads about picking up the pieces after such extreme circumstances, family, mistakes, love and perseverance."; "A beautiful novel blending fact and fiction as well as human nature and the spirit of mankind. Just a lovely read."; "This is one of my favorite books, I love how Isabel writes historic details leaving me eager to know more about the facts used to develop a story on an specific time and place."; "I’m so glad that my recommended this book to me. I love so many things about it, especially learning more about the Spanish Civil War and Chile. The characters in the story are compelling and I loved the writing not surprisingly. Definitely planning to work my way through many of Isabel‘s great works. I also heard an interview with her recently, which I just loved."