Paula

By Isabel Allende

Book Overview

Newly Reissued

New York Times Bestselling Author
"Beautiful and heartrending. . . . Memoir, autobiography, epicedium, perhaps even some fiction: they are all here, and they are all quite wonderful."
--Los Angeles Times

When Isabel Allende's daughter, Paula, became gravely ill and fell into a coma, the author began to write the story of her family for her unconscious child. In the telling, bizarre ancestors appear before our eyes; we hear both delightful and bitter childhood memories, amazing anecdotes of youthful years, the most intimate secrets passed along in whispers. With Paula, Allende has written a powerful autobiography whose straightforward acceptance of the magical and spiritual worlds will remind readers of her first book, The House of the Spirits.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061564907
• ISBN13: 9780061564901
• Release Date: May 2013
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Life changer

This is my favorite book of all time. Not only does the Allende family have rich story to tell on its own, but the way the past and present are written to contrast each other as the family goes through this tough time is genius. I have read this book multiple times over the year and it’s always just as good.

Life-Affirmation

I first read Isabel Allende when my friend's mother recommended "The House of the Spirits." Later, I told my friend's mother how much I had enjoyed the novel. On that occasion she handed me her copy of "Paula," saying, "Hear. Read this." I obliged. "Paula" is the author's autobiography, written for her daughter, as she tries to nurse her daughter through a rare illness that has left her comatose. Allende visits the events in her past as she copes with the present. "Paula" moved me on many different levels. Allende's story of her own past is captivating. Her present day struggle to heal her daughter is heartwrenching. Despite the sadnesses of the book, it is a book that affirms life. I read it whenever I feel have wallowed in self-pity for too long. It reminds me that it is I who am in charge of my destiny. After crying the many tears I cry when I read "Paula," I feel cleansed, rejuvenated, and ready to live life again.

A wonderful work of Latin American Literature

Reading "PAULA" was a magnificent experience. I have read all of Allende's books, but none quiet as touching. It took me from tears to laughter with the turn of a page. Allende is definately one of the greatest along with Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Laura Esquibel and Angeles Mastreta.

Heartwrenching and magical

This book will make you cry and laugh and everything in between. The first half of the book is a letter to her daughter written in the hope that she will wake from her coma. In fear that Paula will not remember her past Isabel Allende tells her the true story of their family. The second half is a farewell to Paula. It is a story of love and loss in many aspects. Love and loss of family, of country, and of life. It is gripping to read of people who have had to live in exile and find their way without the safety of being able to go "home." It is even more beautiful to find that their home is found wherever they are. This book should be read by mothers, daughters, immigrants, and anyone decending from people who have lived through persecution, exile, or political turmoil.

Excelente!!!

Había leído cada uno de los libros publicados por Isabel Allende, todos me parecieron sumamente interesantes, cuando leí Paula no sólo me pareció interesante, ésta novela tocó mi alma, es profunda, acogedora, a veces fuerte, pero sin perder nunca la ternura. Un libro que recordaré toda la vida.

It's one of the best book I've read !!!

I have read several books from Isabel Allende I can not say that there is one better than the other!!!, but personally, I think this is a very special book because you can see how is the personality of this writer and all the good feelings she has for her family, life, moments... On each word in this book you can find many aspects of your own life: funny situations, sat situations, love, hopes ... It could reflects anybody's life. The book is also have parts of others books she had wrote, and is also a biography of her life. If you really like the author, you will enjoy this book very much!!! I do not know if my english is good, but I hope everybody can understand want I wrote. I am venezuelan, so my language is spanish. But I could give an opinion in Spanish also.