Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Annette's Reviews > Inés of My Soul

Inés of My Soul by Isabel Allende
Rate this book
Clear rating

by
13005524
's review

it was amazing
bookshelves: setting-chile, setting-peru, setting-spain, historical-fiction-1500s, biographical-fiction

Ines of My Soul brings two historical figures whose paths cross in Peru. She is a poor seamstress with no prospects for a better life in Spain and he is a Spanish war hero who seeks honor and glory. They share the same illusions, him of founding a kingdom and her being part of something grander.

The story begins in 1500’s Spain; it is the beginning of the Spanish conquest of the Americas. And Ines Suarez, under a pretext of wanting to seek her husband in the New World whose been gone for a few years, leaves the stifling, poor life in Spain to seek adventure in Americas.

Pedro de Valdivia, a war hero, finds the biggest pleasure in books. After reading of the voyages of Columbus, Magellan, Vespucci, Cortes, and many others, he starts craving grandeur adventures of the New World, and to leave behind a corrupt and war-ravaged Europe.

In Peru, he gets embroiled in a civil war under Francisco Pizarro who names him his field marshal. But he doesn’t want to live in the shadow of Pizarro. After hearing about Diego del Almagro’s expedition to Chile, a dream is set in motion of conquering the still innocent territory of Chile.

When the paths of Ines and Pedro cross, they both make a decision to follow their hearts.

The story vividly portrays many layers of the lands being conquered by Spaniards, the search for El Dorado and the rush to get rich, the clashing encounters with the natives, the lush nature of steaming jungles and unknown insects and creepy animals leading to many outbreaks and deaths, the harsh reality and isolation for those who try to found new settlements. The continuous invasions and mistreatment of the natives lead to further buildup of their resentment.

The characters are richly developed with their ambitions, faults, and passion. Ines a poor seamstress turns to found the first hospital in Chile. She goes on building more hospitals, churches, convents, chapels, sanctuaries, and entire towns. Valdivia, a war hero, despite gaining and losing money, he continues to dream big. He conquers new lands and establishes new settlements.

Written with passion, woven with great skill, and with vivid historical background, the story results in an epic adventure of great conquerors.
63 likes ·  âˆ� flag

Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read Inés of My Soul.
Sign In »

Reading Progress

October 21, 2021 – Shelved
October 21, 2021 – Shelved as: to-read
January 17, 2022 – Started Reading
January 17, 2022 – Shelved as: setting-chile
January 17, 2022 – Shelved as: setting-peru
January 17, 2022 – Shelved as: setting-spain
January 17, 2022 – Shelved as: historical-fiction-1500s
January 17, 2022 – Shelved as: biographical-fiction
January 24, 2022 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-22 of 22 (22 new)

dateDown arrow    newest »

message 1: by CoachJim (new)

CoachJim This one sounds particularly interesting. Historical Fiction can teach you a lot about lands you aren't familiar with. This book and the previous one you reviewed sound like new adventures.
Excellent review.


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Wow glad you loved this one. Terrific review Annette 💖


Annette Thank you so much Jim and Margaret :)

Jim, yes, this is exactly the kind of HF I love, from which you can learn so much.


message 4: by Libby (new)

Libby Terrific review, Annette. I liked your comment that the book was written with passion. When an author can convey that, I know it is well-written. What a fascinating time in history and these characters sound equally fascinating :-)


message 5: by [deleted user] (new)

Sweeping and lovely review, Annette!


Debbie W. I was so hoping and crossing my fingers that you would love this Allende novel as much as I do, Annette, so I am thrilled to see those 5 stars! Absolutely wonderful review!


Annette Libby wrote: "Terrific review, Annette. I liked your comment that the book was written with passion. When an author can convey that, I know it is well-written. What a fascinating time in history and these charac..."

Thank you Libby. Yes, I was so happy to come across this book and this is exactly what I wanted to read about, the Spanish conquests in S America, and written with such passion. Thus, bringing well-written and amazing story :)


Annette J.K. wrote: "Sweeping and lovely review, Annette!"

Thank you kindly J.K. :)


Annette Debbie wrote: "I was so hoping and crossing my fingers that you would love this Allende novel as much as I do, Annette, so I am thrilled to see those 5 stars! Absolutely wonderful review!"

Thank you Debbie. Yes, this is absolutely my favorite book by this author :)


Debbie W. Annette wrote: "Debbie wrote: "I was so hoping and crossing my fingers that you would love this Allende novel as much as I do, Annette, so I am thrilled to see those 5 stars! Absolutely wonderful review!"

Thank y..."


I do have others on my WTR list that also look very good (e.g. Violeta, The Japanese Lover and The House of the Spirits).


message 11: by Morgan (new)

Morgan What a fabulous informative review Annette. Makes me want to pick up this one!


Annette Thank you Morgan. This was something I craved to read. Not too many books are set in S America during the Spanish conquests.


Annette Debbie wrote: "Annette wrote: "Debbie wrote: "I was so hoping and crossing my fingers that you would love this Allende novel as much as I do, Annette, so I am thrilled to see those 5 stars! Absolutely wonderful r..."

Debbie, I want to read her newest release Violeta. I have a copy of the Japanese Lover, I'm just not sure if I'll like it. The House of the Spirits, I believe is part of trilogy and I didn't like the first book :(


Marilyn (not getting notifications) Very intriguing! Wonderful review, Annette!


message 15: by L.A. (new)

L.A. Excellent review, Annette


Annette Thank you kindly Marilyn and L.A. :)


message 17: by Orhan (new)

Orhan Pelinkovic Fantastic review, Annette. What an incredible setting for a story of adventure, ambition, and love :).
If I recall correctly, we were coincidentally reading about the history of Peru virtually at the same time :). Nice!


Annette Thank you Orhan and yes, that's correct in regards to Peru reading about it at the same time :)


message 19: by Cheri (new) - added it

Cheri Wonderful review, Annette! This one is on my list to read - someday, hopefully in the near future.


Annette Thank you Cheri. This one is my favorite. Highly recommend it. I still have a couple books by this author on my list that I'd like to read, hopefully soon :)


message 21: by Barbara (new)

Barbara Beautiful review Annette.


Annette Barbara wrote: "Beautiful review Annette."

Thank you kindly Barbara :)


back to top