It felt so odd having COVID be mentioned in an Allende novel, lol. I really enjoyed the return to the del Valles, even if a different branch--I love when Allende is writing about her native Chile. Again, great characters and relationships. The focus on feminist ideals served the book well, and it's great to see empowerment become possible over the years this epic of a book spans. I also love the spotlight on domestic abuse, placing the main character in an abusive relationship that she can't seem to step away from. I think these relationships are prevalent in a lot of Allende's stories, but I haven't heard her call it what it is (though it's obviously implied).

More than her other stories, this one felt like it was rushing to get where it needed to be, if that makes sense. I didn't feel like it dwelt on any moments of significance. This gave it an exceedingly fast pace, which was nice; it also gave it a feeling of frivolity, the gut wrenching moments just didn't quite wrench like they should. That being said, it's still wonderfully emotional, sad, joyous and melancholy! Maybe the more of her I read the more I nitpick.