Entrevista- Isabel Allende

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Marianopolita

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I have mentioned in several threads and posts that reading is an essential part of language learning. The spoken language and the written form in any language differ greatly. One of the most affluent aspects of the Spanish language is the written form expressed in many facets be it prose, poetry, articles, short story writing, journalists pieces etc. The Spanish language possesses a rich elegance such that only a few languages in my opinion can enter in this elite category.

Spanish literature offers a wide variety of styles for avid readers like me. The quantity of writers who have put their pen to paper for centuries continue as ambassadors of this beautiful language.

As the Spanish-speaking population continues to grow and as Spanish now falls under the category of a globalized language, the importance of literature and the availability of quality prose will continue to be important as the language continues to evolve and accept new words, neoligisms, grammar nuances, slang etc.

Isabel Allende is one of the contemporary elite who has a reputable collection of literature that has been translated into thirty languages. Isabel Allende was born in Peru but raised in Chile thus always referred to as la escritora chilena. With a wealth of reputable books in her collection one of her most renowned works is La casa de los esp?ritus. Isabel Allende is also the most read Latin American author (la autora latinoamericana m?s le?da).

I have quite a few of her books in my collection to read however, I have read some of her short stories from Cuentos de Eva Luna. From the onset one can notice the richness in her stylistic use of the Spanish language.

From a cultural standpoint authors represent their country and they are a reflection of the educational standards. Latin America does not fall short in this category but some countries do. Countries that have good literary output are: Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico. The Dominican Republic does not fall under this category and as a country has not played a significant role in contributing to Latin American and Spanish literature. I truly hope this will change in the future. Token Dominican-American authors like Julia ?lvarez and Junot D?az are not sufficient representation. From a cultural standpoint there is much to be told but the DR falls short in producing when it comes to literature.

Isabel Allende like many authors continue to represent Latin American (culture) via literature and currently her latest novel In?s del alma m?a keeps her in that exclusive category of Latin American authors.

Here is a link to the article BBC Mundo | Cultura | Isabel Allende: "Encontr? mi voz". Isabel also mentions how the death of her daughter Paula affected her life and led her to write a humoristic memoir in her name. Once again under the motto of leer es crecer please read in Spanish to maintain good grammar skills and linguistic growth and diversity.


-LDG.
 

Chirimoya

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Dec 9, 2002
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Lesley, thanks for the link. I enjoyed Isabel Allende's first few books, but as I've said before, I think her fiction has got more trashy with every book she writes. Actually, her second book "Of Love and Shadows" read like a pulp romantic novel even though it also dealt with a serious subject like life under a dictatorship.

Some clarifications - Paula, the book about her daughter's illness and death, was not humoristic - it was very sad and moving. The book that followed, Afrodita (Aphrodite in English) about eroticism and food, was light-hearted and humoristic.
Also, although she was born in Peru, her parents were Chilean. Her father was a diplomat who was posted to Lima. That's why she's never referred to as Peruvian. Salvador Allende was her second cousin, not her uncle.

The Dominican Republic has not got an equivalent. Alvarez and D?az are not comparable precisely because they are Dominican-American and write in English. I think they are very good writers - they are just not in the same category. This will only happen when the DR produces an author writing in Spanish, read by millions of Spanish speakers AND in translation, by speakers of other languages.

Which other Spanish-speaking countries have a writer comparable to Allende? In terms of world fame and success, I suppose the first that come to mind would be M?rquez and Vargas Llosa, although the former especially is more literary.
 

Marianopolita

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RE: other authors

Siempre a la orden Chiri.

Thanks for the clarification about the memoir. You are right the way I wrote it versus what?s in the article is incorrect.

That?s exactly the point I am referring to about Julia A. and Junot D not being sufficient representation. To those who are not familiar with good literature will read their work and think that?s the best of the DR when in fact it?s not prose or literature from the island.

Regarding Isabel Allende as mentioned I have yet to really dive into her collection but I will eventually because as much as you say her literature has changed Isabel still is respected for her literature that made her the successful writer she is today. I believe every author has off moments in their professional career and sometimes they are forced by the publishing house to produce literature in a short period of time and the result is sometimes below standard.

Other Spanish-speaking countries that have authors comparable to Allende in terms of world fame and success are:

Mexico- Carlos Fuentes although I am not a fan of his work

Colombia- as you mentioned GGM but Colombia has a whole slew of contemporary authors that are sleeping giants such as Laura Restrepo, Fernando Vallejo and Santiago Gamboa.

Cuba- this country just has a history of good writers from generation to generation. From the older group such G. Cabrera Infante, Reinaldo Arenas, Alejo Carpentier to contemporary popular writers such Zo? Vald?s, Da?na Chaviano (she is excellent!) and Carlos Alberto Montaner (journalist style)

Spain- Rosa Montero. Chiri she is one my favorite authors. I recommend La loca de la casa. I enjoyed that novel.

Camilo Jos? Cela- renowned Spanish writer for his book La colmena. He is well read in Europe.

Chile- Antonio Skarmeta- He is renowned for El cartero de Neruda and El baile de la Victoria. His name is always mentioned among contemporary greats.

Peru- Alfredo Bryce Echenique from the older generation. I have read excerpts of his work. I must say he has very rich prose. I am interested in his two latest novels.


-LDG.
 
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ninapup

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leer es creer

I'm inspired now to read more Allende en Espanol. I love her books and generally pack a couple in the suitcase when we come for the winter. Last winter I read Daughter of Fortune and Portrait in Sepia which I enjoyed but not comparable to my favorite House of the Spirits. I've now promised myself to read it in Spanish this winter. By the way, the movie did this great book a terrible injustice. I saw a copy last year at Sirena on my way to our house and didn't buy it. This year I'll stop and purchase. Hopefully they'll still have it in stock. You're right, leer es creer. Thanks for this thread. I've read most of the Alvarez books, which I've loved, and some Diaz. I find him an interesting writer but your right... not Latin American in the true sense.
 
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Marianopolita

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ninapup-

Well, you have done your fair share of reading based on your post. Te felicito y no dejes de leer.

I can easily understand how Isabel Allende is Latin America's top author. From what I've read about her in the past and now in this current link she seems to have a special literary touch even though her style has changed according to Chiri. Believe it or not when I do read her work I will start with her more recent literature and go back to her older novels. I am curious about Mi pa?s inventado and Zorro. As I said I own many of her books because I just seem to always be in the right place at the right time and I purchased them at bargain prices even some hardcover ones.

Don't get me wrong about ?lvarez and D?az. They are good in their own right and like Chirimoya said just "not in the same category". What I would like for the DR is to have a contemporary literary figure rise to the forefront like the Cuban authors of today or some of the Colombian ones I mentioned. Even Bolivia has a contemporary author Edmundo Paz Sold?n who is up there among the popular modern day writers. As per an editorial summary "one of the most influential Bolivian writers of the new generation"

If I have inspired one person then I achieved my goal. Keep reading! Leer es crecer.


-LDG.
 

Ernestolake

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Did you read "La isla de los amores infinitos", the last novel by Da?na Chaviano? It is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's being translated into 18 languages... No wonder.
 
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Marianopolita

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Re: Da?na Chaviano's latest novel-

I have not yet read her latest novel La isla de los amores infinitos however, without a doubt I believe that it's another novel that exemplifies her tremendous writing ability and I do want to read it. The first book I read by Da?na Chaviano (El hombre, la hembra y el hambre) was enough for me to realize that Da?na is a talented writer. Really she is in a class by herself.


-LDG.
 

Ernestolake

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Yes, I also read "El hombre, la hembra y el hambre" and I loved it. I did not expect she could write something even more powerful and beautiful, but she did it again in "La isla de los amores infinitos". The book will be release in English sometime this year. I am wondering if the translation will do justice to her Spanish prose.
 

Marianopolita

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RE: the translated version

We recently had a discussion about translated literature in another thread. I understand your point of view. I am very skeptical too. Somehow I have less confidence that a translated version of rich prose such as Da?na's can capture the same beauty and nuance as the original Spanish version.

From what I have seen of her writing, I would say any translated version has to be done by very talented and experienced translators. Anyway I will not be reading the English version that's for sure. Since you have reminded me about this excellent book I will purchase it this weekend online.


-LDG.
 

Ernestolake

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Yes, you're right. It is better to read it in the original... I bought La isla de los amores infinitos at Amazon. They have a great price for that book there.
 

Marianopolita

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Mi pa?s inventado- nostalgia, memoria y Chile

After reading La suma de los d?as last fall, Isabel Allende's most recent novel and having enjoyed every inch of it I knew that my interest in this author may have finally peaked. Having attempted to read a few of her novels more than once in the past and not being interested I refused to give up on this author. Having recognized that her style was exceptional as well as her command of the Spanish language I knew it was just a matter of time before I would be able to engage fully in her work and enjoy some of the books of Latin America's most read author.

I had a mental reading block over the winter but I think the spring has inspired me to get back to quality reading and there's no better way than to indulge in one of Isabel Allende's books. I finally started Mi pa?s inventado after years of owning the book and I will say it's a fantastic piece of literature. Thus far Isabel Allende's book once again is a nostalgic journey through her past Chile and present USA, written in a memoir/ autobiographic style with many historic references to Chile which affected her family and childhood. After reading La suma de los d?as I can understand the connection although I have not finished the book.

I always wanted to read some of this author's work because as I mentioned in a previous thread, an author like Isabel Allende can't maintain her popularity and the interest of her readers without talent and good writing ability. Sure she may have a few off the mark novels or certainly ones that are not comparable to her best sellers but overall I think I will be joining the Latin American Allende fan club. I think my approach will be to focus on her newer novels rather than her older collection. The second group is what I am referring to.


La colecci?n de Isabel Allende
(in no specific order)

La casa de los esp?ritus
Eva Luna
Cuentos de Eva Luna
De amor y de sombra
El Plan Infinito
Paula
Afrodita


Hija de la Fortuna
Retrato en sepia- I will be purchasing this book this week after reading some fabulous reviews.
Zorro
Mi pa?s inventado- I am currently reading this book and enjoying this nostalgic journey through Chile.
In?s del alma m?a- this book is on my reading list for 2008
La suma de los d?as- five star novel. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of her literature and especially if you read most of her books. This is the first one I read in her adult series and now I will go back and read a few of her previous books.


Youth Series

La ciudad de las bestias

El Reino del Drag?n de Oro- on my reading list for 2008

El bosque de los pigmeos- enjoyed this one too. Especially since her target audience is the youth crowd. Her writing style is appropriate and completely different as expected.



-LDG.
 
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Marianopolita

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Mi pa?s inventado- 'Chile da para todo'

Reading Mi pa?s inventado reaffirms the notion that you have to read a book or an author's work to be able to asses his/her writing ability accurately and fairly. Reading a chapter or two and not continuing does not give leverage for anyone to make a fair assessment about an author. I am glad I never took this approach with Isabel Allende and kept resisting the notion to give up on trying to read her books. Is she a talented writer? Absolutely. Is her Spanish writing skills in the ranks of some the Latin America's and Spain's finest? Absolutely. Is it believable that she is Latin America's most read author? Definitely. Am I inspired once again to read more of her books? Without a doubt.

In Mi pa?s inventado Isabel Allende gives her readers insight into her personal life, Chilean historical events, Chilean culture, her personal trials and tribulations and most interesting IMO the perception of Chile from a historical and political angle and how the rest of Latin America views the country and vice versa. Not only is it the Chile that she lived in and remembers but it's also a reflection of a country with strong vestiges of colonialism in its culture (like all Latin American countries), a country still scarred by the Pinochet dictatorship and super machismo in spite of the fact that Chilean women do have many more opportunities educationally and professionally as compared to some of their Latin counterparts.

Another important aspect that I am glad that Isabel focused on is the class structure and the so-called 'fine line' between classism and racism which could be classified as the same by many. Chile's ruling elite class makes up a small percentage of the population and everyone else is ranked below. As expected the poorest group and most marginalized are los mapuches who struggle daily to maintain their 'pedacito de tierra en la sociedad chilena' and continue to be pushed further and further out of the Chilean demographic mosaic. Isabel also discusses the linguistic divide among Chileans and speech differences between the classes. You are identified by the way you speak.

I particularly enjoyed how she compared her two worlds at times in her journey, Chile and the USA and her adaptability. Here is an interesting quote by Isabel:

Mi suerte es andar de un sitio para otro y adaptarme a nuevos suelos. Creo que lo logro porque tengo pu?ados de mi tierra en las ra?ces y siempre los llevo conmigo. p?gina 49

What makes this novel so interesting is the self critique and critique of her own people, Chileans. Most people can't do that and find humor in their own cultural faults. Isabel constantly reflects upon the good and the bad about what Chile was like for her vs. what outsiders know about this South American country.

In summary this novel is a terrific examination of Chile in the form of a nostalgic journey, an author looking back at a country that has enabled her to be where she is today.

?Tremendo libro Isabel!



-LDG.
 
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