Ines del Alma Mia: Una Novela Reviews

• Adventure, Destiny, Tragedy, Love.

  
  By A1TXD4O7Z15FY4 on 2007-03-17
  Since I began studying Spanish, Isabel Allende has become one of my favorite authors. In this dazzling novel she does it again. Ines Suarez, the protagonist, an old lady, is trying to set down the tumultuous story of her life, a life which is intimately entwined with the history of her country. Born in a rural town in a backward part of Spain, she journeys to the New World in search of her missing husband, traces his steps to Peru, learns of his death, and manages to survive as one of the few Spanish women in the new land.
  
  Later she enters into a tumultuous relationship with the ambitious and brilliant Pedro de Valdivia, and follows him in his singleminded pursuit--the conquest of Chile. It's a story of endurance, daring, survival, unimaginable cruelty and horror, miraculous survival, a clash of peoples which can have no happy ending, the building of cities, passionate love, and unbearable, tragic losses. I'll say no more. You just have to read the book.
  
  Author Allende writes in her inimitable style--lucid and flowing--that draws the reader in with an unusual sense of intimacy. I found it easy to follow in spite of many words that aren't in my Spanish dictionary. The character of Ines is compelling--a powerful, gifted woman who refused to abide by the stereotyped roles of her time. Amazingly, Allende is able to convey the sweep of history, a story that extends over more than fifty years, without losing that sense of personal connection. I don't know how she does it. Sometimes the feminist message of this book is almost overdone--almost, but not quite. A genius like Allende gets some latitude. I recommend this book highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• realmente no se

  
  By A41TT727KJY94 on 2006-09-13
  He terminado la mitad de este libro, Ines de alma mia. No se si lo voy a seguir leyendo. La voz de Ines entra y sale y no tiene un estilo fijo, y su manera de hablar es como una mujer de nuestra epoca. Es dificil creer que se trata de una senora pobre de los anos 1500. Los asuntos que guian sus acciones no me convencen.
  Los acontecimientos que relata son horrorosos, y no es claro como sabria Ines los detalles y la gente que protagoniza en esta historias.
  Quisiera que me gustara el libro, porque tengo una tradicion de admirar a los cuentos de Isabel Allende. Pero este me esta perdiendo. Prefiero que Isabel escriba algo que tome lugar en nuestra epoca de hoy para oir de vuelta su propria voz.
  
  

• Me lo avente de un solo golpe!

  
  By A2F80H6UOTU20L on 2006-09-19
  Para mi es la misma Isabel Allende Maravillosa para escribir, la senti como cuando la casa de los espiritus.
  
  En esta historia, la de Ines Suarez que desde joven fue de caracter fuerte y siguio lo que ella le tenia fe. Ines Suarez tomo parte en la conquista de Chile por parte de los eapañoles, tal como lo describe una persona aqui si narra situaciones un poco crueles pero hay que recordar que en la guerra.. si hasta en estos tiempos existen anomalias.. para empezar la guerra misma.
  
  te involucras en la vida de Ines Suarez, una mujer fuerte y de un gran corazon que fue compartido en 3 ocasiones con toda su alma. Como lo dice Allende en el prologo, los dialogos han sido adaptados a los tiempos actuales para mayor comprension, vale mucho la pena leerla y ... pues ojala escribiera mas seguido!!!
  
  

• Muy Interesante y Entretenida !

  
  By ABUK4N1AMRVB0 on 2006-10-22
  Inés del Alma Mía en mi opinión es unas de las mejores obras literarias de Isabel Allende hasta ahora (la mejor para mi sigue siendo "Paula"). Es una novela claramente mejor que Retrato en Sepia por ejemplo. Ni un capítulo aburrido y casi ninguna pagina muermosa.
  
  Me gustó muchísimo leer la historia de Inés Suárez, una persona real y histórica. Pero cuidado: La novela de Allende no pretende ser una obra histórica sino ficticia aun con fondo real y verdadero. Como casi siempre en sus novelas hay una mezcla de verdad y invención. A mi me gustó muchísimo esta síntesis.
  
  Inés era la amante de Pedro de Valdivia, quien conquistó Chile, el país mas delgado del mundo.
  
  Allende nos cuenta de los origenes humildes de Inés en la Extremadura en España. Explica su viaje al nuevo continente y su llegada problemática en América. Nos describe sobretodo una mujer determinada y optimista. Nos deje saber de sus aventuras en una región entonces poco poblada. Especialmente me encantó su travesía agotadora del desierto en la región norte de Chile.
  
  Una vez llegado en un valle paradisíaco en el centro de Chile, Inés y Pedro fundaron la población de Santiago de Nueva Extremadura (hoy en día llamada Santiago de Chile, la capital). Pero Inés y Pedro no pueden vivir una vida tranquila principalmente porque los "indios"(mapuche) no los dejan. La novela se convierte mas y mas sangrienta y brutal.
  
  En resumen: Es una novela excelente. El estilo de escribir de Isabel Allende es muy bien. Puedo recomendar Inés del Alma Mía a personas que quieren leer una novela histórica pero muy interesante y entretenida.
  
  

• Hipnotizador desde el primer minuto

  
  By A3CU4VWM1GWA8V on 2007-06-06
  Conozco a muy pocos autores que pueden "atrapar" a su audiencia en las 15 primeras palabras. Isabel Allende es una de estos autores.
  
  Es cierto que las descripciones son a veces muy violentas, pero ¿de qué se sorprende la gente? La conquista de Suramérica (como cualquiera conquista) no fue nada romántica.
  
  Inés del Alma Mía es una fabulosa historia. Existe muy poca información sobre la real Inés Suarez, así que el trabajo de imaginación de Isabel Allende para dar vida propia a su protagonista fue de verdad increíble.
  
  Un lector se quejaba que el libro fuese escrito con palabras demasiadas modernas... cierto. Pero muy pocos de nosotros hubieramos entendido el Español del siglo XVI y el estilo de Isabel Allende se habría perdido trás las palabras.
  
  Isabel Allende no ha perdido nada de su talento, imaginación y "sátira".
  (No creo que sus libros les gusten mucho a los hombres, porque es demasiada honesta sobre su carácter. Nada que nosotras no sepamos.)
  
  
• Superb historical novel
  By A2PYCZ2XXIV9CW on 2007-03-13
  The conquest of America is not often described from a woman's viewpoint, let alone from the side of the Spanish conquistadores. This is the story of a very remarkable woman who took an active part in the Spanish conquest of Chile, at the side of Pedro de Valdivia, was co-founder of the city of Santiago de Chile, and was later the wife of the first post-conquest governor, Rodrigo de Quiroga. Ines Suarez was a truly remarkable woman, and whether or not she was as open-minded and astute as Isabel Allende depicts her (in a first-person narrative), she was undoubtedly an exceptional woman in the very machista Spanish society of 16th century.
  
  This is the original text of the novel which has also appeared in English under the title, "Ines of My Soul". I recommend it highly, either in the original or in translation. Look out for the amazing true story of the Mapuche lad known to history as Lautaro. It's unforgettable!
  
  
• Ines del Alma Mia
  By A1OSPB9HW26FQK on 2007-03-18
  Extremely disappointing. No character or story development just consistent descriptions of fighting and suffering. If I had read it without knowing who the author is, I would not have believed it to be a work by Isabelle Allende.
  
  
• Decepcionante
  By A11WYME028J7GC on 2006-12-04
  He estado debatiéndome si debía dar 2 ó 3 estrellas al libro. Finalmente decidí que debía darle 2 porque se trata de una autora que, por su trayectoria, debió ofrecernos algo mejor. Sigo sin encontrar a la Isabel Allende de "La casa de los espíritus" y "Paula". Después de ellos, no ha conseguido nada que logre convencerme. En esta novela, sus personajes no son consistentes. La protagonista se expresa con un lenguaje demasiado moderno. No hay una perspectiva realmente histórica. Como escritora, debió saber cómo resolver esto. Para quienes buscan una historia apasionante, con personajes llenos de fuerza y misterio, recomiendo "La isla de los amores infinitos", de Daína Chaviano. De las 7 personas que conozco que han leído la novela, no hay una que no se haya quedado fascinada con el libro. Para mí, y para otros amigos, ha sido el gran descubrimiento del año.
  
  
• The Best Isabel Allende novel in a while!!!
  By A3B8GP84L2N079 on 2007-01-09
  Highly recommend it. It's a great book, filled with history, romance and adventure. It completely transports you to that time.
  
  
• Works better as historical fiction than as a great love story
  By ASYCWTSCPT91Q on 2007-08-22
  I read the Spanish language version, and I am an avid reader of Spanish language literature.
  
  I am a great fan of historical fiction, and from that point of view, this was a great read. However, the purpose of the memoirs Ines is writing to her daughter was not only to document her life and history but to help her daughter understand the great love she had for Valdivia. On this front, I don't think the book works very well. I was extremely disappointed by the ending. I won't spoil it for readers except to say I didn't believe it at all (because I don't think the content of the story made it believable).
  
  I feel that this book lacks much of what draws me to great Spanish Language literature in general - emotional content. Factually it was quite interesting, and I enjoy Allende's Spanish. However, the only parts of the book that had any emotional strength were the times Ines digressed from her history to address her daughter directly regarding her own impending death. It's too bad Allende didn't put that kind of emotional content in Ines' relationship with Valdivia. There was simply too much distance in the relationship for this to be considered a story of a great love.
  
  However, I would highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction. It is interesting as Allende matter of factly expresses through Ines ideas of the day, and I am glad she does it without any preaching. For example, the fact that Valdivia wants to create an almost Utopian community in Chile, but he doesn't seem to care how many people he has to kill to do it. Or the comments reflecting the then-current opinions of the Spaniards on the New World and its indigenous inhabitants - the perceived barbarism of the latter with the actual barbarism of the former. She does a good job of letting the facts speak for themselves.
  
  I truly wish that there had been more to the love story itself. Then this would truly have been a great book.
  
  Ines del Alma Mia: Novela
  Ines of My Soul: A Novel (P.S.)
  
  
  
• por terminar...
  By AYT63VXRZ065G on 2006-10-15
  Al principio la historia se me hizo algo larga, pero luego mejoro... no lo suficiente pero mejoro, no soy un lector entusiasta, pero esta novela me invita a terminarla.
  Hay que tener en cuenta que aun cuando esta novela esta basada en un personaje real, muchos de los eventos fueron unidos con otros nacidos de la fantasía, en ocasiones increíbles pero que le dan algo de color y romance a la historia.
  
  
• Es un buen libro, entretenido
  By A173WJCGO16LJP on 2006-12-25
  El libro es bueno, soy lectora de Isabel Allende desde hace años pero luego de Paula, no habia leido un libro de ella que realmente me gustara, este libro es bueno, entretenido, me recuerda a los libros de sus inicios, empiezas a leerlo y no puedes soltarlo. Sobre lo que dicen del lenguaje en que esta escrito, ella misma advierte que se tomo la libertad de modernizar el castellano del siglo XVI para que fuera de mas facil lectura. No le di 5 estrellas por que senti que le faltó algo al libro al final, aunque la lectura fue entretenida.
  
  
• Ines del Alma Mia; Una Novela
  By on 2007-01-06
  Ines del Alma Mia: Una Novela by Isabel Allende is a really extremely well written novel. The author who has already proved to be an excellent narrator in some of other novels such as La Casa de Los Espiritos, Mi País Iinventado, El Plan Infinito once more excelled in the writing of this book. She masterfully succeeds in telleing a story of a historical woman in a very intelligent and atractive way. A book very much readable and full historical information about the process of colonization of South America.
  
  
• Very good and entertaining
  By AAJNSAGIKILLK on 2007-01-09
  As Allende always does she does an excellent job at describing the time when South America was being colonized. This book is very entertaining. When you start reading it you forget about everything else.
  
  
  
• Good story
  By A2WALHH48Y9T3M on 2007-01-12
  True to her style Ms Allende tells a fascinating story about a very important event
  taking place in an important SA country. It portraits the adventures of a courageous woman
  as she helps in the occupation of a new territory. Her analisis of femenine psychology and capacity
  makes the heroine of this tale vivid and difficult to forget.
  
  
• Ines del Alma mia
  By AVWSQVTYAI11G on 2007-01-21
  Once more Isabel Allende has not disapointed her readers. Wonderful story. A book that once started cannot be put down until is finish.
  Trust worthy to read.
  
  
• Another very enjoyable read from Isabel Allende
  By A2M1C1UGG96742 on 2007-01-03
  Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had learned about Ines Suarez when I studied latin american history and Allende's thoughtfully written novel really brought her to life. A pleasure to read, as so many of her novels about female characters are...
  
  
• Excellent!!!
  By A3J29NJDTZGNEW on 2007-01-06
  this reading is excellent, like the author. I dont have too much words, because more than a novel is a history tale. There is another book that came to my hands long before Mrs. Allende decided to write this one about Ines. The book is "Lautaro: Joven libertador de Arauco" it tells the story about Lautaro, one of the youngest leader of the sublevation in Chile, and who killed Diego de Valdivia. The author is Fernando Alegria. If you read first this book, you will understand what happened in the conquering of Chile. Great for Isabel Allende.
  
  
• Este es uno de sus mejores libros
  By A3FNMVW1LEXIPD on 2007-07-08
  El libro me gusto mucho porque narra de una forma muy amena la historia de la conquista de Chile, en mi humilde opinion es uno de sus mejores libros, yo me he leido casi todos sus libros me gusta mucho como escribe
  
  
• GREAT BOOK!
  By AOMJCNC65YKCP on 2007-07-22
  I cannot say enough how great this book is. I read it sooo fast! It is set in wild frontier Chile, with a strong woman character which is hard to find in novels; it has history, adventure, love, action. Great book!
  
  
• Classic Isabel Allende
  By AJQXTOQYJAW5A on 2007-01-09
  As with "La Hija de la Fortuna" and "Retrato en Sepia", Isabel Allende uses her masterful storytelling abilities to blend in history and fiction, resulting on a very captivating novel. Allende's writing style is especially easy to read in the Spanish original for non-native Spanish speakers.
  
  
• la mejor de sus ultimas novelas
  By A456UOVEBOLI5 on 2007-10-30
  Para mi, Ines del Alma Mia es sin duda la mejor novela de las ultimas de Isabel Allende. Creo que con esta obra, Isabel Allende se reivindica como la gran narradora Latinoamericana. Si tuviera que escoger mis tres novelas favoritas, sin duda esta estaria incluida, al igual que Paula y La Hija De la Fortuna.
  
  Isabel Allende tiene la magia y la valentia de narrar una historia al punto de no hacerte querer cerrar sus libros.
  
  
• Ines del alma mía
  By A2SW3S9IGFHIHI on 2007-11-24
  Ines del alma mia is a gem of historical fiction showing Isabel Allende's close attention to historical research and detail. She pictures historical characters with accuracy based on what I have been able to find, bringing them to life in an understandable, knowledgeable way. The story flows and holds one's attention from beginning to end. Her anecdotal explanations bring life to the historical facts. The author is very adept at character development, description, use of interesting vocabulary,bringing history to life and creating an excellent arena in which to teach about the conquest of South America especially of Chile. She treats the subject without bias, pointing out strengths and weaknesses on both sides of the battle. I will probably read it again even though I rarely reread books.
  
  
• Hermosa historia
  By A1D1NRF1N73SSQ on 2007-12-02
  Es una novela que narra hechos reales de la historia, pero mezclandolos siempre con una pizca de imaginacion, lo que hace que el relato se vuelva mas interesante y cada vez mas atrapante. Como todos los libros de Isabel Allende que he leido, este no podia ser menos... simplemente una lectura muy placentera, que no tiene un final feliz (como la vida misma) pero que igual me dejo con una sonrisa en la cara. Lo recomiendo!!
  
  
• fabuloso!
  By A1RWXELH49HV0J on 2007-12-05
  Me encanto el texto. Lo lei en unos dos dias. Isabel Allende ha sido mi escritora favorita por muchisimos años y con esta historia lo sigue siendo. ¡Formidable!
  
  
• Comprelo, es muy bueno.
  By A10RUE8IRGNBHO on 2007-12-21
  Un libro con mucha pasión. Creo que alli puede uno tener un punto de vista de los conquistadores en América. Me gustó mucho de cabo a rabo.
  
  
• Brilliant !!!!, simply Brilliant !!!!
  By A16L14EUOTH7MV on 2007-12-29
  Allende, como siempre una escritora estupenda, un libro que realmente vale la pena leer.
  A fantastic book. Allende is just simply a brilliant Author. This book is a must.
  
  
• Inés' Strength
  By A48ISG9LRAEY6 on 2008-01-12
  What a powerful story! Descriptive, and engaging from the begining. Some of the war scenes get a bit drawn out.
  
  Ines' point of view is always refreshing.
  
  
• Ines del Alma Mia
  By A3FHZX4CBHI4J9 on 2008-01-18
  It is a wonderful story conceived by the author about the biography of a woman during the conquest of Peru and Chile by the Spaniards. Some of the story is fiction but events surrounding the story is historical. She weaves history with fiction. Since historical events are true, it gives us an interesting way of learning about the conquest of the new world and the birth of new nations. Very interesting and well written.
  
  
• A trip to the past
  By A3S4PHZ210E51Z on 2008-03-30
  This book is not only entretaining. The novelist took her time to do research to portrait accurately historical facts. Her account of the lives of Pedro de Valdivia and Inés Suárez take you to a trip to the past. You will feel like you are witnessing how the Spaniards came to America (the continent) all their struggles and suffering and also all their cruelty and greedyness. Superb !
  
  

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