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Fiona's Reviews > A Long Petal of the Sea
A Long Petal of the Sea
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Fiona's review
bookshelves: e-books, netgalley, historical-fiction, in-translation, just-not-for-me
Dec 06, 2019
bookshelves: e-books, netgalley, historical-fiction, in-translation, just-not-for-me
I was drawn to this book by its setting in the Spanish Civil War and by the story of the Winnipeg, the ship chartered by Pablo Neruda to take 2,000 refugees to Chile. The preface by Isabel Allende whet my appetite and the first few pages were a very strong and shocking opening. It soon became so, so dry though. I struggled to feel any emotion behind the words. This happened, then this happened, she said and he said, then this happened.......with a lot of historical detail behind events. The history was for me the most interesting part. I usually love learning about history through fiction but I’d rather read an actual history than this long-winded account.
I’m not finishing this book as there are too many other books waiting on my shelves. I wanted to enjoy it much more than I did but I have to be honest. I’m giving it 3 stars because it would probably be unfair to give fewer.
With thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing UK and NetGalley for a review copy.
I’m not finishing this book as there are too many other books waiting on my shelves. I wanted to enjoy it much more than I did but I have to be honest. I’m giving it 3 stars because it would probably be unfair to give fewer.
With thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing UK and NetGalley for a review copy.
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Reading Progress
November 9, 2019
– Shelved
November 9, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
November 9, 2019
– Shelved as:
e-books
November 9, 2019
– Shelved as:
netgalley
December 6, 2019
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
December 6, 2019
– Shelved as:
in-translation
December 6, 2019
– Shelved as:
just-not-for-me
Started Reading
December 7, 2019
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-7 of 7 (7 new)
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by
Quo
(new)
Dec 09, 2019 05:45PM
Interesting commentary on an Allende book I hadn't previously heard of. Isabel Allende is a gifted storyteller and a hoot as a speaker as well, very off-the-cuff & humorous in recounting her life, her loves, her misfortunes & what inspires her to write. The House of the Spirits may be her best work of fiction but I enjoyed Daughter of Fortune & other novels as well. Bill
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Quo wrote: "Interesting commentary on an Allende book I hadn't previously heard of. Isabel Allende is a gifted storyteller and a hoot as a speaker as well, very off-the-cuff & humorous in recounting her life, ..."Hi Bill. This is her latest work and my first. I’ve heard her speaking and that attracted me to her as much as her reputation as a writer. I agree that she’s an inspiring speaker. Her TED talk is excellent. I’m sure the same can be said of her writing but not for me in this case.
So sorry this was a disappointment. Have your read Winter in Madrid? It is next on my list of books dealing with the Spanish Cvil War and its consequences. Your review was honest and helpful, Fiona.
You might next consider reading Allende's The House of Spirits, considered by many her best novel.
Barbara wrote: "So sorry this was a disappointment. Have your read Winter in Madrid? It is next on my list of books dealing with the Spanish Cvil War and its consequences. Your review was honest and helpful, Fiona."Thanks, Barbara. Yes, I have read Winter in Madrid. I’ll look forward to reading your review.
Quo wrote: "You might next consider reading Allende's The House of Spirits, considered by many her best novel."Yes, I might, Bill. Thanks.
This is exactly how I feel about this book, Fiona. I’ve read a number of books by Allende and enjoyed them all more than this one which I’m giving up on without anywhere near finishing. Such a pity.
