What a heroine and what a story! I was transfixed from beginning to end and read every single word with pleasure. I will not give any of the storyline away but would highly recommend this to everyone to read immediately, buy the hardback and keep re-reading it forever, this has gone into my top reads ……and there aren’t that many.
The writing is beautiful, the heroine so well thought out and such a fully rounded character that in later years you may accidentally remember her as someone you met. I cried, no sobbed at a dreadful incident towards the end…..I will not discuss this here, read the book and find out.

Thank you so much Isabel Allende, your publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege to read this in exchange for an honest review.

An epic story of one woman's indomitable spirit and fortitude in a time of civil war.

Emilia del Valle, born in 1866 was raised in San Francisco. As a young and naive woman, her mother, Molly, was seduced and abandoned by Gonzalo del Valle, a Chilean aristocrat. Turning to her friend and colleague, Francisco, when she finds herself pregnant, Molly learns about unconditional love. Francisco is a wonderful step-father and he inspires in Emilia an insatiable curiosity and a fearlessness that sees her break the bounds of her gender.

When rumours of impending civil war reach the US, she and a colleague Eric, are sent to Chile to report for the newspaper they write for. Emilia also has an added incentive. To find her biological father,

As the rebels move to oust the government, Emilia is ill prepared for the horrors of war. It will forever change her. As will finding her father and receiving an inheritance of remote land in southern Chile.

Emilia was a courageous and awe-inspiring woman ahead of her time. Her story captivated me and it was written so beautifully that I lost all sense of time as I was transported to Chile with her.

My Name is Emilia del Valle is about a woman named Emilia who becomes a journalist and covers story in nineteenth century San Francisco, who then goes to Chile, the land of her biological father to look for him but more importantly cover the Chilean civil war. As with a lot of Isabel Allende's books this one too is filled with colour, horror, beauty and well rounded. characters. I enjoyed following Emilia's journey and learning about Chile's history. A good addition to Allende's collection.

Another phenomenal historical piece of fiction by Allende. Written with emotion the reader is swept along with the beauty of the unfolding tale of Emilia. Feminist in nature, determined and inspiring, this is a courageous tale of a woman determined to play her part in both her own and her country's history. Chile comes alive in all it's vivid colours under the pen of Allende. A beautiful story, beautifully written, full of heartbreak, hope and expectation.

received the ARC from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

As always with Isabel Allende’s characters, all very well developed and rounded, very human. Absolutely love the ideas surrounding the family dynamics particularly mother-daughter and then father and daughter. I definitely appreciate having multiple generations and ethnicities.

All the drama and cultural experiences, the lack of understanding one’s own culture (after all Emilia del Valle grew up in the US, and went to Chile hoping to prove herself something) I love Emilia’s curiosity and tenacity. Being set back in the past was a little strange for me to read, as I was often thinking in modern terms.

I wasn’t sure about the ending but I liked that Allende takes risks in such things just like her characters in her books.

Highly recommend

I would describe this novel as ambitious. Allende sets the reader on a journey through space and time: we meet Emilia in her early childhood and we come to understand her world through the stories of her family.
She’s smart, adventurous and stubborn enough to pursue her dreams. Emilia wants to write, to see the world, to be more than a woman destined to be a mother and a wife. She’s not afraid of what people may think of her or what men believe to be her place in the society of San Francisco in the late 1800s.
After managing to secure a job in a newspaper she’s sent to Chile as a journalist during the civil war. Her role is to keep writing columns on subjects related to the life in the foreign country under the conflict but she’s not a reporter and she’s not supposed to write about the war first-hand. This role belongs to Eric, Emilia’s colleague and friend.
However life offers all sorts of unexpected turns, especially under the circumstances of a civil war and Emilia, whose roots belong to Chile, soon discovers the horror of the war but also a family she didn’t expect to reconcile with.
Allende also makes the reader dream of the beautiful landscapes offered by Chile at that time, untouched by the modern civilization, still wild, still belonging to the indigenous population.
I believe this novel to be a journey to discover the meaning of love and the meaning of life in a time when being a woman was a sort of punishment inferred at birth. Being strong and believing in her dreams, Emilia fulfils her destiny and sets a new way of being her true self in a men’s world.

I was really pleased to receive a pre publication copy of Isabel Allende’s latest book, from Netgalley. The narrative revolves around another strong female character in Emilia del Valle, ahead of her time, instead of settling for the usual route in the 19th C of marriage, family and keeping house, she wants a job and a purpose. She begins by writing novels written under a male pseudonym and progresses to writing as a war journalist, covering political unrest and civil war, as many of Allende’s novels. The depiction of the time is informative whilst holding the readers interest in the storyline. I’m always sad to reach the end of her books.

The book presents a thoughtful narrative that is enriched by its unique voice. I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy.

I’m so glad I discovered Isabel Allende—partly thanks to @NetGalley. After reading The Wind Knows My Name and now My Name is Emilia del Valle, she is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.

In My Name is Emilia del Valle, Allende once again delivers a compelling narrative centred on a strong female protagonist. Emilia is a resilient, intelligent, and courageous woman navigating a harsh, male-dominated world. Through her journey, we are immersed in a richly drawn historical setting shaped by war, oppression, and resistance. Her story is one of perseverance, survival, and quiet rebellion—a testament to the power of inner strength and dignity.

This novel is not only a powerful piece of storytelling but also a deeply informative and inspirational piece of work. Allende masterfully weaves fact and fiction, shedding light on overlooked aspects of history while drawing the reader into Emilia’s emotional and personal struggles, which she overcomes with the help of her stepfather. A truly unforgettable read that stays with you long after the final page.

Emilia del Valle is a spirited young woman born in nineteenth century San Francisco to a religious mother of Irish descent and abandoned by her Chilean-born aristocratic father. After publishing some novelettes, Emilia embarks on a career in journalism, which sees her being sent to cover the civil war in Chile and offering her an opportunity to meet up with her estranged father. There is some interesting detail about the Chilean civil war and life in the remoter parts of Childers in the nineteenth century and although the story is engaging on the whole, there are sections which drag a little.

With thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Although I've heard so much about Isabel Allende's writing, I must confess that this is the first time I've read it, so I wasn't sure what I was going to find.

Historical fiction always gives me a new perspective on some event that may not have been on my radar until then and that's what happens here.

We meet Emilia del Valle, who was born to a devoutly religious mother who had a relationship with an unpainted Chilean aristocrat.

Guided by her stepfather, Emilia found her love for writing, first with novelettes that she wrote under a male pseudonym and then when this was not enough she immersed herself in the journalistic world, taking an interest in the Chilean civil war, given her roots.

Accompanying Emilia throughout her story, I got to know many facts about this historical moment and although I have no other knowledge regarding this fact, Isabel has documented so much that she covered a lot of bases.

So I think for my first time with the author, it was a good way to get to know her pen and the way she composes her works.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

Although I've heard so much about Isabel Allende's writing, I must confess that this is the first time I've read it, so I wasn't sure what I was going to find.

Historical fiction always gives me a new perspective on some event that may not have been on my radar until then and that's what happens here.

We meet Emilia del Valle, who was born to a devoutly religious mother who had a relationship with an unpainted Chilean aristocrat.

Guided by her stepfather, Emilia found her love for writing, first with novelettes that she wrote under a male pseudonym and then when this was not enough she immersed herself in the journalistic world, taking an interest in the Chilean civil war, given her roots.

Accompanying Emilia throughout her story, I got to know many facts about this historical moment and although I have no other knowledge regarding this fact, Isabel has documented so much that she covered a lot of bases.

So I think for my first time with the author, it was a good way to get to know her pen and the way she composes her works.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

A thoughtful book with a unique voice.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC

An emotional story of a three dimensional character whose childhood is confusing and difficult though illegitimacy leading towards a journey of her life. With relationships and travels forming a tapestry of abandonment, love and war, a child moves experiences, adventures and heartbreak to discover the strong opinionated woman at her core.

I expected to like this book as I'm a fan of Isabel Allende's writing and the strong women she writes about but it surpassed my expectations. It is the remarkable story of a remarkable woman. Emilia del Valle is uninhibited by the constraints of 19th century society and becomes a journalist. She travels to Chile with a colleague to report on weapon smuggling and finds herself involved in impending conflict. The author blends history with Emilia's personal journey in the most perfect way. Her story is full of adventure, human connection and unexpected turns. She experiences great pain and great love and the reader experiences it all with her. I was engrossed from start to finish. Foe the history and the compelling journey, this is a book which should be on everyone's summer reading list

Strong women
This is a book about Emilia and her complex life. Emilia is born to a young woman who wanted to be a nun, she was beautiful and seduced by a rich young man who then abandoned her, she marries her good friend and teacher who brings up Emilia as his daughter, the couple later have three sons. Her Father encourages her to write so she writes cheap novels under his name, they are a success. She longs to be a journalist and persuades an Editor to give her a job, she works beside Eric who also encourages her. She is sent to Cuba and has an affair with Eric's brother Owen, when she returns she finds out he is married. Emilia and Eric are sent to report on the civil war in Cuba between the Government and the rebels, she helps out in Concon working as a canteen girl, treating soldiers, feeding troops and seeing the horrors of war. Upon seeing Eric again the couple realise they are in love and manage to be together. Emilia is rescued by Angelita her friend when troops take revenge on opposing army. The government troops are defeated by the rebels and bloody revenge is taken by them. Emilia is arrested and taken to prison, she is badly beaten and sentenced to die by firing squad, she narrowly escapes with her life,
Emilia is taken in by her real Father's Aunt who is rich and formidable, Emilia gradually regains her strength, her Father has left her some land in a remote location, she journeys to find it.
I liked the story of Emilia' upbringing and her struggles to be recognised, the complicated political situation was sometimes hard to follow.
Thank you Isabel. NetGalley and Bloomsbury for this ARC

This is a beautifully written book about a feisty, determined woman who pursues a career in writing and journalism and who goes to Chile to report on the civil war. There is humour, horror, family in all its versions, love and the warmth of the fiercely proud Chilean people, ALL of them, not just "recent" arrivals. The writing cannot be faulted. My only criticism is that I have read this type of story before and would have loved to read a story from a different angle written by an author with Isabel Allende's skills. That said I am very glad to have read this book, and would have no hesitation in recommending it.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to reading this. I even decided to read some of Allende’s previous works as I haven’t gotten around to reading any so far. But I had to stop reading that one (there was a very violent rape).

Then I decided to just delve into the story of Emilia, and lo and behold, the same thing happened! So I guess either I picked the two Allende books that start with rape or that Allende just isn’t for me. Considering I didn’t like the writing style all that much, I fear the latter is true.

Emilia Del Valle is a woman ahead of her time, a restless, brave adventurer who forges an independent career as a writer and journalist in San Francisco. Later she travels to the home of her unknown father in Chile, covering the horrors of the Chilean civil war and finally journeying into the wilderness to seek her inheritance.

I have read and loved many of Allende's previous novels, but this doesn't live up to the best of them. It is crammed with factual, reportage style detail, often at the expense of character development. At times it feels like reading through a wikipedia page. The final section is quite strange and is not resolved satisfactorily. I found this novel disappointing.

Another fabulous read from Isabel Allende!

I have read many books from this author and adored them all. She covers the historical events in such detail, it is as if you were there. The female characters and always incredible and Emilia del Valle is no exception to this.

Emilia is brave, independent and fights to become a journalist in her own right. She travels to Chile as a war correspondent and is such an inspiration. She writes the soldiers stories, looks after them and tries to bring hope in war time.

The story is so well written and the characters are incredibly real to life. I learned so much about Chilean history from this book. Highly recommend!