Aloha Everyone,
Isabel Allende is one of my favorite contemporary writers. With an extensive background research incorporating real historical events and historical individuals, she introduces her fictional characters.
The story follows two refugees from the Spanish Civil War. Their lives guided by events that were far beyond their control. This is a story of friendship, trust, despair and hope. And finally, it is a story of family and true love.
Here are some notable quotes from the book:
“Going around in a sulk will get you nowhere. Pain
is unavoidable, but suffering is optional.”
“Nothing can grow in the shade of secrets, she would
say, love needs light and space to flourish.”
“We have to defend democracy, but remember that
not everything is politics. Without science, industry,
and technology, no progress is possible, and
without music and art, there's no soul.”
“Their longstanding friendship turned into a deeper
complicity in which there was no room for secrets,
suspicion, or offense; they started from the
principle that they would never hurt each other and
that if this happened, it would be unintentional.
They protected each other, which made their
present hardships and the ghosts of the past
bearable.”
Aloha -- Cathi