A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende: A review

Acclaimed Chilean novelist Isabel Allende presented a masterpiece in her latest offering “A Long Petal of the Sea”. This heart-warming novel, translated by Nick Caistor and Amanda Hopkinson, revolved around the two protagonists, survived the civil war in Spain in 1930s and exiled to Chile where a long emotional struggle awaited for them.

As Victor Dalmau, the main character of the novel summarized at the end that “My life has been a series of journeys. I’ve travelled from one side of the world to the other. I’ve been a foreigner without realising I had deep roots,” Isabel Allende successfully melted readers’ hearts with this poignant story, a well-researched history of Spanish refuge.

After General Franco successfully overthrew the government and declared civil war in Spain, Roser, a pregnant widow and his army doctor brother-in-law forced to flee the country like million other Spaniards in a dangerous journey to the French border. In order to make the relationship real for a new beginning they had to agree for reluctant marriage to get sponsorship from poet Pablo Neruda to go on board on the SS Winnipeg along with 2,200 other refugees in pursuit of a new dream. As Europe erupts in World War two, they landed in Chile with hope, a hope to return to their beloved country again. 

Through this book author Isabel Allende poured her tribute to poet Pablo Neruda for his role in saving thousands of Spaniards refugees by persuading Chile’s president to provide asylum against “right wings and the Catholic church”.

Victor and Roser faced many difficulties in coming years from not only General Pinochet’s coup but also from Venezuela. Despite all the challenges they got the opportunity to pay homage to Neruda by hiding him in their house after a warrant was issued for his arrest due to his involvement with communist party.

This is also a story of love, hope, belonging and triumph against all odds. It’s a story how we human race susceptible and adopt changes and then grow ourselves. It’s a story of celebration of human love and emotions.

Read this pragmatic journey of Victor and Roser and immersed yourself into deep humbleness while they find their home away from their precious homeland.

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About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!