This book lingered on my nightstand longer than I anticipated, almost as if both the story and I were playing a game of hide and seek. With great expectations, fueled by the reputation of Isabel Allende, I dove into this novel hoping to be swept away on a journey through time. Alas, I found myself adrift in a sea of unfulfilled hopes.
"A Long Petal of the Sea" by Isabel Allende is a historical novel that spans several decades and follows the lives of two main characters, Roser and Victor, as they navigate the tumultuous events of the Spanish Civil War and beyond. The story begins during the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s when Roser, a young pregnant woman, and Victor, a physician, are forced to flee their homeland due to the conflict. They board a ship, the SS Winnipeg, along with other refugees, and set sail to Chile, where they hope to find safety and a new life.
As the novel unfolds, Roser and Victor's lives become intertwined as they build a life together in Chile, despite not being romantically involved. Roser's musical talents flourish, and she becomes a renowned pianist, while Victor continues his medical career. The two face numerous challenges, including political upheaval, social changes, and personal trials, all set against the backdrop of historical events that shape the course of their lives.
“Pain is unavoidable, but suffering is optional.”― Isabel Allende, A Long Petal of the Sea
I'm a sucker for historical sagas that span generations, offering glimpses into the intricacies of life and family over time such as Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. But let's just say that this novel left me yearning for more, for that elusive substance that makes a story truly resonate especially one with a historical background. Allende's approach to storytelling is what, in my humble opinion, missed the mark. The events were laid out with a matter-of-fact simplicity that kept me at arm's length from the characters. Try as I might, it was like grasping at smoke – just when I thought I was getting close to connecting, everything slipped through my fingers. The characters meant to be the heart and soul of the tale, proved to be disappointingly forgettable. The moment I closed the book, it was almost as if they evaporated from my memory.
And that's where my biggest disappointment lies – the evanescent nature of it all. This should have been a narrative that lingered in my thoughts, that invited me to contemplate the intricate threads of loss, exile, migration, and national identity. But instead, it felt like a fleeting encounter that left no lasting impact. Like a history book rather than a story, over 60 years of recent Chilean history was crammed into 300 pages with little else left.
Sure, there were moments, those pockets of resonance that briefly caught my attention and stirred something within me. I yearned for more depth, for the exploration of the profound emotions that surely accompany the loss of home and the journey of migration. These were pivotal themes that held the potential to anchor the narrative in raw human experiences, but they remained largely untouched.
I think I’m in the minority when it comes to feeling this way, however, my first encounter with Isabel Allende's work has left me with mixed emotions. "A Long Petal of the Sea" held the promise of a poignant historical journey, the trauma of the Spanish Civil War, the difficulty of living under the military dictatorship in Chile, the sorrow of leaving your home behind, and the comfort of creating a new one. However, it fell short, leaving me with a sense of unfulfilled potential and a wish for a more resonant connection.
Find my not serious at all reviews here: https://www.goodreads.com/mugdalene
Comentários