This is my fourth Isabel Allende book, and I have adored them all. She is a master storyteller and the way she weaves different stories/characters/timelines together is genius. Although with this book I wasn't really sure where it was going, but by the end I loved all the characters.

Starting off with a little boy having to take the kinder transport alone from Vienna to England to escape the Nazis and how it's brought full circle back to a female orphan in today's world having travelled over the US border from central America. The found family at the end is beautiful.

Allende never shies away from giving us strong female characters, flawed female characters and speaking up against violence against women. I also find out so much about Central and South America. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this excellent book.

Haunting as usual.
All of the books by Isabel have made me reflect on violence particularly towards women.
This novel concerns lost children Samuel a Jewish boy in Austria painfully separated from his parents on the kindertransport to England, he meets with cruelty and misunderstanding until he is adopted, then his musical talents thrive. Anita is separated from her Mother in Chile, she has lost most of her sight and her sister in a horrific road accident. Anita is taken to America and suffers in various homes, eventually she is sent to live with a distant relative who is Samuel's housekeeper.
Helping in the search for Anita' s mother are Frank and Selena, they meet when Frank volunteers to help in the search for lost refugees, they are drawn together but Selena is engaged and fights her feelings. Eventually upon finding out the horrific truth of what has happened to Anita's mother they draw closer together.

I do love Isabel Allende's work, just for the immersion in other lived experiences and putting myself in other, interesting shoes.

The Wind Knows My Name focuses on the experience of refugees, from Samuel Adler, a Viennese Jewish boy escaping the Nazis to more recent refugees from violence in El Salvador fleeing to the USA. The stories are separate at first, but gradually link together in a beautiful way. There are many sadnesses, but ultimately it's a story of hope and sanctuary.

I feel better for having read this. Five stars.

A wonderfully woven story written with great skill. I thoroughly enjoyed this touching novel and will absolutely recommend.

I want to thank the author, Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was beyond excited to get approved for this ARC - Violeta was a top three read of 2022 for me and I was excited to get my Allende fix.

With treatment of refugees being a huge current talking point, this book came at a perfect time. The two intersecting threads were crafted in a clever and compassionate way. The initial Adler story in 1940s Austria was my favourite part and the book started out extremely strong with it. By showing the necessity of acceptance and assistance for refugees fleeing the Nazis, especially with the hindsight we now have, Allende urges the reader to think about the right side of history in the present day.

The first person chapters from Anita’s perspective were especially powerful. To hear a child’s voice in the midst of great upheaval and confusion really humanises the characters in a way that refugees are often refused in real life media and stories.

Allende never hides her politics in her books. This is something I love about her writing. But this was my first read of hers that I felt was slightly lacking in nuance. I am not sure why she seems to have fallen into this trap in a way I feel she never has before. It made me feel more disconnected from the characters and the story than usual, which was disappointing.

I had other issues with the book. I felt the pacing was off for a large portion - I wanted to dwell over some things for longer. Allende usually grants a good amount of time to seemingly insignificant details that pack a huge emotional punch or add great depth to the story, but it felt lacking in this way too. I also did not understand the need for Nadine to have been the founder of the Magnolia Project.

Reading Allende’s books is literally learning history. I am sure that readers in 40 years will feel about this book as I did when I first read The House of the Spirits. Her stories have a special kind of magic and, despite its flaws, this one was no different. Not her best, but still a good read.

There are several strands to this book. As is usual in an Allende book the themes of injustice, displacement and exile appear.

The first strand follows young Samuel who is a young gifted violinist in Austria. Unfortunately his childhood is taking place against the backdrop of the German- Austrian Anschluss . Being Jewish his family suffer the minor changes that Naziism brings, followed closely by the graphically described Kristallnacht. Reluctantly, with his father "missing", Samuel's mother is persuaded to put Samuel on the Kindertransport leaving for England. The welcome there is not warm and he is passed from home to home without finding the secure love he needs.

Another strand follows a young mother Marisol fleeing from violence and upheaval in Central America with her blind daughter Anita. Violence is particularly directed to women and her flight is vividly and shockingly described. Fleeing violence in El Salvador we see Leticia trying to make a new life for herself.

Rebellious Southern "belle" Nadine LeBlanc is fleeing from the repression of her family and trying to live in a different way.

Selena is trying to help children that have been separated from their parents at the US border. She even manages to persuade comfortably rich, Frank to work pro bono as a lawyer advocating for these children. He comes to realise that what is important in life is not the prestigious corner office he has been given. at his rich law firm.

The way these strands intersect and refract is the main plot impetus., although slightly bewildering at first. I could see the thematic links but was reluctant at first to leave Samuel's narrative..

Allende alerts to the lives of refugees from past to present, Raising awareness of these issues is important . Allende is not making a documentary but bringing these issues to life through her characters.

Allende weaves once again a wonderful story of epic proportions; engrossing, unputdownable and heartwarming.

A great novel delving into the lives of people living two different, yet similarly devastating times in history. The storylines are narrated with great humanity and sympathy, the pain and sorrow of the characters are vividly depicted and it was hard to keep reading from time to time.

I loved Allende's writing style and ability to give her characters well-rounded personalities. This was the first novel I read by this author (not sure how and why I didn't read her before), and I can't wait to read more of her books.

Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing Plc and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I am grateful to Net Galleries and Bloomsbury for the chance to read and review this pre-publication copy.
I have read many of Allende’s books and always enjoyed them. She is a very good storyteller, honest and direct, building good plots and not afraid to tackle difficult issues.
I found this much the same but rather disjointed early on. It took rather to long to make the link: that of childhood trauma, bereavement and total dislocation.
As usual there are some excellent characters including strong women and survivors.

Another beautiful story by Isabel Allende, following the lives of various people who have for some reason or another lost their homes and their families, but these shared histories bring them all closer together. Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for my arc

Another deeply moving novel from Isabel Allende exploring the disconnect felt by migrants as they face life in countries that often don't want them. Following multiple characters, Allende seamlessly moves from WW2 Jewish Kinder transportation to modern day Mexican migration to the USA.

The real fear motivating Samuel and Anita's migration and the sacrifices made by their parents share a resonance that binds the two storylines together, packing a punch in a relatively short novel.

A shared humanity and the need for understanding and acceptance is highlighted by Allende and perhaps more importantly the realisation that no one choses to flee their homeland for fun.

I am late with this review as I have be savouring this book over a couple of weeks, reading a chapter per evening and appreciating the language, vivid descriptions and the beauty in these pages. Allende is one of the best storytellers out there and I love how diverse the themes of her books are. With The Wind Knows My Name, Allende brings her unique writing style to sharing the migrant experience of Samuel who escaped Nazi occupied Vienna in 1938 and Anita in 2019 who is fleeing El Salvador seeking refuge in the US. These two children experiences take place 80 years apart and yet the parallels are strong as the world keeps following the same flawed paths and forced migration it seems will always be a reality for so many people.

The enduring love of parents for their children is the central theme of this novel and Allende captures this in the most heart aching and beautiful detail. A gorgeous book written with deep care , incredibly moving and beautifully told.

A beautiful story which grabbed me and has stayed with me. It was sad, and haunting. I’ve have read this author’s books before but, in my opinion this was one of her best. Highly recommend. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A skilfully written story bringing together 2 individuals fleeing from oppression in two timeframes and places. Wartime Germany and South America. Their flights separate them from families . Their storylines come together through the craftsmanship of this author

Isabel Allende is one of the worlds greatest storytellers. Every book has a different setting and somehow, she creates characters and plots that are totally compelling. The Wind Knows My Name is a haunting and memorable exploration of stolen childhood, loss, love and familial bonds. It’s woven around two entirely different eras some 80 years apart; pre war Austria and recent past America.

The opening chapters are brutal in that the reader quickly experiences the visceral horrors of Nazi oppression of the Jews in Vienna in 1938. Having introduced two characters and their long standing friendship, one, the Jew, is caught in the events of Kristellnacht and the world changes. The story then follows what happened to his wife and son. I really felt for all the characters and Allende captures the period. I imagine many of the characters are based on real people and this is what gives them substance.

The story switches to El Salvador and touches on American intervention that resulted in mass killings and destruction in the name of anti communist and guerilla activity. It was heartbreaking and the scene then moves to America where the vagaries of an imperfect and inhuman immigrant ion system are exposed.

The plotting is clever and the pace is superb; parts of the story are emotionally difficult, but this is balanced by hope and the fact that other characters who care and have decent human values are also depicted. It’s a book I’ve relished and once again, Allende has delivered beyond expectations.

Allende's latest novel tells the story of two child refugees more than 80 years apart. Samuel was put on a kindertransport to England from his native Austria before the outbreak of WW2. This traumatic event has shaped his life and relationships.
Anita is a child of an illegal immigrant to the USA, treated as a criminal, separated from her mother she gets caught up in a judicial system that seems to have lost its humanity.
A beautifully written story of loss, love and family, of eyes being opened and people finding the good in themselves to make change.
Wonderful!

Hauntingly beautiful in it’s descriptive retelling of the lives of two children - one in 1938 Germany and the other in 2019 America.
How the traumatic effects of war and immigration can totally obliterate family units so they never know normalcy again.
With unforgettable characters that Allende perfectly links together - it completely captured my heart from the very first page and such an immersive read it felt I was on the journey with them.
One of my top reads of 2023
Thanks #isabelallende @bloomsburypublishing & @netgalley for eARC

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This is a book about three interconnected stories, occurring across timeliness and generations, dealing with the tragedy of refugees. The story is intended to shed light on the travesty of immigrants and asylum seekers in contemporary America. The main protagonists include a child who survives the holocaust via the Kindertransport and thrives (in his own way) via tribulations and love, an 8yo child refugee from El Salvador who is orphaned in the ordeal of passing through the border in the Trump era, a woman who reaches the US in the 80s fleeing unspeakable horrors in El Salvador to find her way to citizenship and a sort of happiness in the US, a Mexican origin American citizen who works as a social worker trying to save children separated from their parents due to Trump's immigration policies, and a successful American lawyer who realises his life can have more meaning than protecting rich villains.

I loved every minute of this book, completely recognising the tear jerker it is. I caught myself crying on multiple occasions, and it's a special book that makes me do that. It's an exceptional narrative with characters one cannot but fall in love with, and a story that brings to life the tragedies of modern immigrants into the US, using the holocaust as an effective (yes, I fully see the political ramifications, but trust me on this one) analogue.

Recommend it to everyone frankly. No exceptions. There is something universal about this book, and the author again excels at describing what the travesties of life feel like for young children. It only benefits from not having the typical magical realism the author often embeds in her work. It's magical enough as it is.

The Wind Knows My Name is Allende's latest hauntingly powerful novel following several refugee children as they attempt to flee the danger, tragedy and/or war crimes committed in their countries of origin. Beginning in Vienna, Austria, during the commencement of the Nazi bombardment at the start of WWII, we meet a Jewish family - Dr Rudolph Adler, his wife Rachel and five-year-old son and violin maestro Samuel as they struggle against the adversity everyone now feels. When Kristallnacht occurs on 9 November 1938, Rudolph is so brutally beaten that he succumbs to his horrific injuries and Rachel takes a leap of faith and, despite her reticence, commits to sending young Samuel to England via the scheduled evacuations. Terrified and completely alone, he travels by Kindertransport, his mother hopes that he will remain safe in Britain away from Nazi occupation. He will never see either parent again and doesn't discover his father's fate until many years later. He struggles to settle in an orphanage and is moved from place to place. Eventually, in 1942, he begins to reside with a Quaker couple. The story recalls his life as he continues to thrive - joining the London Philharmonic Orchestra at 25 before later moving to America to take advantage of musical opportunities.

In the second narrative strand which runs parallel to the two others and is set in 2019, we meet Marisol Diaz and her practically blind 7-year-old daughter Anita, who flee their home country of El Salvador to escape ubiquitous gang violence that pervades their local area. They travel by any means necessary including on the roof of trains and by foot for many miles. They manage to illegally make it into the US, however, the newly introduced family separation policy means that they are separated from one another at a detention facility in Nogales, Arizona. Horrifically, vulnerable Anita is then left alone in a foreign land and her mother deported. Hearing about her case, social worker Selena ropes San Francisco corporate lawyer Frank into helping the girl be reunited with her mother. The third plot strand is set in 1981 and follows the story of more asylum seekers fleeing South America for the safer destination of the US - this time it's Leticia Cordero and her father who narrowly escape El Salvador after the brutal El Mozote massacre kills more than 800 people in their village.

This is another emotive, beautifully written novel from Allende who is incredibly adept at painting characters with so much depth that they become vividly alive and whose situations evoke such visceral reactions; she somehow makes each of them relatable even when you haven't ever been in their shoes. As with Allende's previous books, where she particularly excels is character development and this is certainly a character-driven narrative; they are front and centre throughout and despite the adversity they face she imbues them with such patience, grace and optimism that it's quite inspirational. This is a meditation on the immigrant experience, how feelings about immigrants have evolved and how the ability of humans to destroy other humans seemingly never deserts us. It's impeccably researched with a detailed accuracy that fosters an aura of authenticity and culminates in some truly harrowing and anxious moments. Power and politics, violence and asylum, beauty and horror, war and peacetime - all are explored within these pages. As the plot threads converge we are reminded of how history seems forever doomed to be repeated and of the sacrifices we each must make in life to save ourselves or our loved ones from certain circumstances. After all, there are some fates worse than death.

The Wind Knows My Name is about the loss of identity and the precariousness of life when faced with forced migration. The novel begins in Austria and the Kindertransportation of Samuel Adler prior to World War II. In El Salvador Leticia experiences the savage 1981 massacre in the El Mozote village by the Salvadoran Army. In more recent times economic hardship forces Marisol and her young daughter Anita to free into the USA where they are subsequently separated.
The stories converge in San Francisco during the pandemic.

Isabelle Allende captures hope, resilience and the subtlety of human sensitivity in this novel. The hardship of migrants developing the freedom of choice in future generations and a message to support those facing similar experiences that come after you.

With thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc and Netgalley for a review copy.