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Before I start to write my review, I am cautious to not over analyze this story, for I know that is not what Isabel Allende would want.
Allende wrote with intuition and nostalgia, and I suppose that she would want her readers to reflect upon this book with intuition and nostalgia as well. Summoning in their minds forgotten family stories, people, events, and loved ones.
So as I write the rest of my review, I write this remembering not to take it too seriously. The rest of this review is written this way because what I critique is what is on my mind the most.
Isabel Allende is a gifted and powerful storyteller, no doubt.
While I rank this story as one of the best I have ever read, I can not succumb to idealizing Isabel Allende and her novel.
While Allende will remain legendary for the rest of her life, and most rightfully so, she is human. And therefore, like me, she will not know which words will soon be considered outdated. Which parts of the story people will frown upon.
The House of The Spirits has vocabulary that I believe is offensive, scenes depicted through an Orientalist lens, and descriptions of indigenous people that one can not justify.
Now, I understand that Allende is writing from this particular epoch, completely submitting herself to how her characters view the world. But I am convinced that some of this “outdated” writing is here because Allende had an ounce of these perspectives herself.
I believe that when analyzing an art, the artist can not be separated from the analysis, because what has infiltrated the artist’s mind has infiltrated the art.
And what has infiltrated the art may thwart the art from reaching full potential.
The House of The Spirits, while an unforgettable, truly magical book, to me, did not reach its entire potential.
But by that standard, reaching entire potential seems to be a nearly impossible task.
Because to do so, the author would listen to what each reader wants for the story, rather than what the author wants. This might ruin the story.
Also, a story is not supposed to be perfect, not supposed to be entirely exemplar or pure.
And that’s the beauty of it. It is, indeed, the rawest expression of the human mind.
And to read the raw expression from Allende’s mind? Well, that is an honor. An honor! To read her stories! To read the people that have been brewing in her mind for years!
And, if I am wrong that Allende held these perspectives, well, then I am glad I'm wrong. I may very well be wrong. But, this is what I have to write, and this is what I have to focus on, because these perspectives stuck with me.
Finally, Clara the clairvoyant will always be my absolute favorite character. Thank you, Allende, for writing characters from your heart, and a story from your soul.
I'm excited to read more of Allende's stories.
Allende wrote with intuition and nostalgia, and I suppose that she would want her readers to reflect upon this book with intuition and nostalgia as well. Summoning in their minds forgotten family stories, people, events, and loved ones.
So as I write the rest of my review, I write this remembering not to take it too seriously. The rest of this review is written this way because what I critique is what is on my mind the most.
Isabel Allende is a gifted and powerful storyteller, no doubt.
While I rank this story as one of the best I have ever read, I can not succumb to idealizing Isabel Allende and her novel.
While Allende will remain legendary for the rest of her life, and most rightfully so, she is human. And therefore, like me, she will not know which words will soon be considered outdated. Which parts of the story people will frown upon.
The House of The Spirits has vocabulary that I believe is offensive, scenes depicted through an Orientalist lens, and descriptions of indigenous people that one can not justify.
Now, I understand that Allende is writing from this particular epoch, completely submitting herself to how her characters view the world. But I am convinced that some of this “outdated” writing is here because Allende had an ounce of these perspectives herself.
I believe that when analyzing an art, the artist can not be separated from the analysis, because what has infiltrated the artist’s mind has infiltrated the art.
And what has infiltrated the art may thwart the art from reaching full potential.
The House of The Spirits, while an unforgettable, truly magical book, to me, did not reach its entire potential.
But by that standard, reaching entire potential seems to be a nearly impossible task.
Because to do so, the author would listen to what each reader wants for the story, rather than what the author wants. This might ruin the story.
Also, a story is not supposed to be perfect, not supposed to be entirely exemplar or pure.
And that’s the beauty of it. It is, indeed, the rawest expression of the human mind.
And to read the raw expression from Allende’s mind? Well, that is an honor. An honor! To read her stories! To read the people that have been brewing in her mind for years!
And, if I am wrong that Allende held these perspectives, well, then I am glad I'm wrong. I may very well be wrong. But, this is what I have to write, and this is what I have to focus on, because these perspectives stuck with me.
Finally, Clara the clairvoyant will always be my absolute favorite character. Thank you, Allende, for writing characters from your heart, and a story from your soul.
I'm excited to read more of Allende's stories.