A Long Petal of the Sea

by Isabel Allende
A Long Petal of the Sea cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1327
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-04
  • ISBN: 9781526633958
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2020-11-12
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Isabel Allende's A Long Petal of the Sea is a masterful work of historical fiction that begins on the day the Spanish exiles arrive in Chile, just as World War II breaks out in Europe. The story follows Victor Dalmau, a young doctor, and his sister-in-law Roser, as they flee Barcelona and embark on a journey to Chile aboard a ship chartered by Pablo Neruda. Their new home becomes a place of both hope and tragedy, where they encounter a rich tapestry of characters and witness the global struggle between freedom and repression over decades. Allende's novel is celebrated for its grand storytelling and deep compassion, offering an intimate yet epic exploration of themes like belonging, love, and the resilience of the human spirit. The narrative spans multiple generations, providing a vivid and poignant portrayal of historical events and their impact on personal lives.

Reviews
the starving artist · Devontre Varro Flaherty · 2024-03-11
engaging 4.00

The novel is a great piece of historical fiction based on Allende's family history, blending personal and historical narratives seamlessly.

They enjoyed the novel for its rich historical context and personal storytelling, finding it to be a great example of historical fiction. The reviewer appreciates how Allende intertwines her family history with broader historical events, creating a narrative that is both intimate and expansive. They highlight the novel's ability to capture the complexities of human experiences during turbulent times.

Quick quotes

    A Long Petal of the Sea is based on Allende's family history and is definitely historical fiction—great historical fiction that I enjoyed.

    The novel blends personal and historical narratives seamlessly.

    A rich and engaging exploration of historical events through a personal lens.

Judith McKinnon's Blog · Judith McKinnon · 2021-02-19
stunning 4.75

The book handles terrible historical scenes with a lightness of touch, making them real and impactful without being overwhelming.

They were struck by the novel's ability to tackle grim historical events with a lightness of touch, making the scenes real and impactful without being overwhelming. The reviewer finds the storytelling compelling and the characters deeply affecting, highlighting the novel's emotional depth and historical significance. They appreciate how Allende balances the heavy themes with moments of hope and resilience.

Quick quotes

    This is such a stunning book, handling some really terrible scenes from history with a lightness of touch but still making them real.

    The storytelling is compelling and the characters deeply affecting.

    A balance of heavy themes with moments of hope and resilience.

The Guardian · 2020-01-16
profound 4.50

The novel effectively numbs the horrifying moments of historical events while maintaining a profound emotional impact. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, capturing the essence of exile and resilience.

The reviewer appreciates how the novel handles the grim realities of historical events with a certain numbing effect, making the horrifying moments bearable yet impactful. They highlight the novel's ability to weave together heartbreak and hope, creating a story that resonates deeply with themes of exile and resilience. The reviewer finds the characters' journeys compelling and the historical backdrop richly detailed, making it a poignant read.

Quick quotes

    It numbs horrifying moments, such as the long march of refugees from Spain to France, or the atrocities of the concentration camps.

    The novel is both heartbreaking and hopeful.

    A profound and resonant story of exile and resilience.

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