Chilean author Isabel Allende is good at the 'fake life story' genre, creating likeable characters and histories for them. In her latest novel, the narrator is Emilia del Valle - named for the Chilean aristocrat father she has never met and raised by her mother and stepfather in California. Emilia is a bright, engaging character with a nice narrative voice that flows well. Not content with the dull life of the average woman in the late 19th century, she becomes a successful author of cheap romance novels under a penname, and then a journalist. In her new role, she travels to the land of her father to cover the civil war, and discovers at first hand the horrors of war.

I cared about Emilia and her fate, always important for enjoying a novel of this type, and I liked the supporting characters too. I didn't know much about Chilean history in this period (what I know about any Chilean history is mostly 20th century, and that from Allende's other books). The book does well at getting across the courage of individuals in wars, but also the utter futility of armed conflict.

If you enjoy 'fictional life stories' of this type then this is one to add to your reading list, and it's essential for anyone with an interest in South American fiction. It reminds me a bit of some of William Boyd's 'life story' novels, particularly with the war correspondent background. Although Allende has a different writing style to Boyd - fewer words you have to look up in a dictionary, and a more direct, less quirky style - I think if you enjoyed some of Boyd's books like 'Any Human Heart', or 'The Romantic' you might well like this one too.

If Isabel Allende writes it, I will read it. The way in which she writes is just beautiful and you get drawn into topics that you otherwise may not of had an interest in or, even heard of. This is how I felt about this book. I was so drawn in (and horrified) by the brutality of the Chilean Civil War of 1891 that I spent a while after reading, just educating myself on the history.
Emilia is one of those characters that is going to stay with me for a really long time. She's adventurous, strong and didn't let her gender determine her life. Her relationship with her step father was one of my favourite relationships in the entire book.
This is gut wrenching and beautiful all at once.

For over four decades, Isabel Allende has captivated, entertained and moved us with her novels; a new book is always welcome.

My Name is Emilia del Valle is a story of love but also of war; an unknown ( for many of us) civil conflict in Chile in 1891. This war is told through the eyes of Emilia del Valle.

The story begins with her early life and that of her mother Molly Walsh - her mother inquisitive and strong willed is on the path to a religious life until she finds herself pregnant through a cruel seduction by Gonzalo André del Valle ; a man from Chilean aristocracy who denies being the father.

Molly and her daughter are taken under the wing of Don Pancho Claro who raises Emilia and supports her independent approach to life. Emilia pushes boundaries and becomes a journalist for a San Francisco newspaper The Tribune. It is from this role, she successfully builds up her reputation until she requests to report on events of smuggled weapons heading to Chile with her colleague and friend Eric Whelan. with the hope of tracking down her elusive birth father.

From this point, classic Allende storytelling comes to the fore- societal differences and class divisions; the building of a love story and the drama of an upcoming bloody war. The war is described in poignant and frightening detail in particular as Emilia finds herself involved in the conflict.

This is a story of independence and a strong willed woman battling against patriarchal ( and even matriarchal ) systems to find her identity and fulfil her potential set against an historical backdrop.

Emilia del Valle is an archetypal Allende lead protagonist and is strong, beguiling , spirited and a joy to read about.

Another brilliant story from a legendary author

Absolutely wonderful to have early access to the latest by the amazing Isabelle. I devour her books and this one was wonderful. The epic drama of the family the locations the people loved it thank you

Emilia del Valle is a curious character, who is the daughter of an Irish nun and a Chilean man - Emilia, who is stubborn and independent, grows up to be a journalist and covers the Chilean civil war. I found the storyline in Chile to be very potent, interesting and realistic.
The earlier life of del Valle and the bits about after the war were slightly less interesting, as I connected more with Emilia when she was in Chile.
Overall, a great read by the great writer.
3.5-4 stars.

I have been reading the novels of Isable Allende with respect admiration and pleasure for over forty years.

My name is Elmilia del Valle is, like the Long Petal in the Sea and The Wind Knows My name, more of a straightforward historical novel.

At times the writing is sublime as is her characterisation of some of the minor characters. For me, there are tiems when there is too much historical detail with the blow by blow accounts of battles and movements of ships.. For a Chilean audience that might be just perfect.

Even if I found it hard going at times it is definitely worth reading. Emilia is certainly some heroine! But, if you are new to Isabel Allende and enjoy an historicl novel I would start with a'A Long Petal in the Sea' a wonderfully ambitious and humane novel.

If you want to start early on in her career. It is the House of Many Spirits