Paula: A Memoir (Kindle Edition)

I like to read first person stories within a history of a country in turmoil. Isabel Allende is really telling on herself about infidelity. It is a little amazing that she doesn't connect her lack of Faith with the personal troubles in the family. Maybe left out but, the marital problems and the continuing issues with men is telling on that score. Not judging her, for it was a time which blew people along and she likely wants to accept full responsibility for her divorce. And makes a good case for it too. Considering it is ostensibly real life, how can I complain. She can't redo things. So, the history of Chili stood out and the death of a loved one with all the care one could wish for. You can almost imagine someone thinking "well die already!". But, Paula was loved.

Isabel Allende escribe bien, no hay duda, domina el don de la palabra escrita. Pero aquí, usando como motivo la enfermedad y agonía a de su hija, nos cuenta parcialmente su vida. ¿Para qué? Hay algunas anécdotas interesantes, la parte en que trata del golpe de estado en Chile nos ayuda a recordar ese momento crucial de la historia sudamericana, hay mucho narcisismo, pero al final quedamos con la impresión de que el libro es prescindible, que lo que se cuenta interesa más a la autora que al lector y poco a poco el texto se hace interminable. Y así como la autora espera y ansía la muerte de Paula, el lector ansía ver la palabra fin.