Violeta
‘Violeta’ by Isabel Allende
Our dear friend Catalina sends her regards from an amazing trip to Patagonia with this review of ‘Violeta’ by Isabel Allende, so naturally, that is our book of the week!
Happy reading and happy Friday!
‘Isabel Allende’s “Violeta” is an epic family saga that takes us on a journey through the tumultuous 20th century in South America. This beautifully written memoir-like novel delves deep into the life of Violeta, a woman born into aristocracy, as she navigates the shifting sands of history.
Set against a backdrop of changing regimes and global upheaval, Violeta’s story spans continents and decades. From the fall of nobility to the Spanish flu, the Great Depression to the shockwaves of WWII, her life is a mirror to the world’s transformations.
While seeking refuge in the steppes of Patagonia during the Great Depression, Violeta enters a loveless marriage with a German immigrant. However, a significant portion of her life becomes intricately entwined with that of Julian Bravo, an enigmatic private pilot involved in drug smuggling, connected to the mafia, the CIA, and the oppressive Pinochet regime. This connection ensnares her in a toxic and abusive relationship that spans decades.
The themes of queerness and feminism run deep, woven into the fabric of her life story, alongside the harsh realities of abusive relationships and political activism during a dark dictatorship era in Chile. Allende masterfully touches on the hermetic Germany settler colony in Chile, which served as a torture center for dissidents during the dictatorship, adding a chilling layer to the narrative.
“Violeta” is not just a tale of personal struggles; it’s a testament to a woman navigating the ever-changing world around her. Motherhood, trauma, and abuse are hurdles she faces head-on, while also surviving the tumultuous political changes in her homeland.
Isabel Allende’s signature style of epic storytelling blends romance and resistance seamlessly, making “Violeta” the perfect escapist novel. It’s a mesmerizing journey through one woman’s life that mirrors the profound changes in Chilean and Argentianian history.’