Personal Memoir of Paula

When Isabel Allende's daughter, Paula, fell gravely ill and into a coma, the author began to write the story of her family for her unconscious child. In the telling, bizarre ancestors appear before our eyes; we hear both delightful and bitter childhood memories, amazing anecdotes of youthful years, and the most intimate secrets passed along in whispers. With Paula, Allende has written a powerful autobiography whose straightforward acceptance of the magical and spiritual worlds will remind readers of her first book, The House of the Spirits.

Allende's memoir, Paula, has been newly reissued as a New York Times bestselling work. The Los Angeles Times has described it as "Beautiful and heartrending. . . . Memoir, autobiography, epicedium, perhaps even some fiction: they are all here, and they are all quite wonderful."

The narrative weaves together various elements, including memoir, autobiography, and even a touch of fiction, to create a captivating and poignant journey. Allende's willingness to embrace the magical and spiritual realms that permeate her family's history echoes the themes of her acclaimed debut novel, establishing a seamless continuity between her literary works.

Through the lens of Paula's illness, Allende delves into her family's past, unearthing the stories of her ancestors and the formative experiences that have shaped her own life. The reader is transported to a world where the extraordinary and the mundane coexist, where the boundaries between the physical and the metaphysical blur, and where Allende's trademark storytelling prowess shines.

The author's intimate and unwavering gaze upon her daughter's condition lends an emotive and deeply personal quality to the narrative. As Allende navigates the challenging terrain of her family's history and Paula's deteriorating health, the reader is drawn into a world of profound emotions, where love, grief, and the resilience of the human spirit intertwine.

Ultimately, Paula stands as a testament to Allende's literary versatility and her unwavering commitment to exploring the human experience in all its complexities. By weaving together the threads of memoir, autobiography, and even fiction, the author has crafted a work that transcends genre boundaries and resonates with readers on a profound level.

The reissue of this New York Times bestselling work offers a timely opportunity for readers, both new and familiar, to immerse themselves in Allende's poignant and captivating storytelling. Whether encountering her work for the first time or revisiting a cherished favourite, readers are sure to be swept away by the beauty and emotional depth of Paula.

product information: