Book 40/30.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was my second Isabel Allende read, the first being The House of the Spirits which I rated 2 stars. I may have rated Daughter of Fortune 3 stars, but for the life of me I cannot tell you why I gave it one more star than THotS as I did not really enjoy either of them. In fact, I barely remember the storyline of THotS. Also, lol at thots 😅
Isabel Allende has a writing style similar to other South American writers I have read that can best be described as “ridiculous, but in a good way.” It takes characters a couple of sentences/paragraphs to fall passionately in love, and emotions, whether good or bad, are heightened beyond the norm across the board. And of course there is the aspect of magical realism which South American writers are known for, and Allende is no different as she writes largely, though not solely, in the genre of magical realism. She was even a guest star on Jane the Virgin, one of my favourite TV shows, when Jane finally met her hero at her own book launch. Jane was introduced to Allende at an early age when she ran into a bookstore asking for a new recommendation and Enrique and Alejandro agreed it was time to introduce her to their favorite writer of all time: Isabel Allende. The recommendation was life changing, introducing Jane to magical realism and the deep Latinx roots of the genre. Magical realism shows up in Jane’s own writing throughout her career and she credits Isabel Allende for making her a reader and a writer.
Unfortunately, I do not share Jane’s love for her hero and Daughter of Fortune is my second, and final, Isabel Allende read 😅
View all my reviews
** A guide to ratings **
1 star – did not like it
2 stars – it was okay
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing
Lwile the Leo 