April '14 / Magic Realism Reading: The House of the Spirits by Allende

[Scheherazade]

In April, we will be reading The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende.

Please share your thoughts and comments in this thead.

[bouquin]

Talk with Ms Allende -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/133_wbc_archive_new/page2.shtml




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Currently reading: One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

[kasie]

May I join the discussion, please? One of my book groups has recently read this - I didn't finish it so retained the copy which I can keep until the end of the month.

I have enjoyed what I have read so far which was why I kept the book - I'll be interested to read what other LitNetters make of it. (My book group was luke-warm towards it.)

[Scheherazade]

Hi, Kasie! So nice to see you!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this. I am still waiting for my copy to arrive.

[kasie]

Thanks, Scher - I know I have not posted for some time - I haven't really been away, just 'lurking'!

This is one of those books I have long been nervous about tackling. It has such a reputation, a prime example of Magic Realism, a significant modern work etc, it rather frightened me off, plus the only previous MR book I had read, The Magic Toyshop, really puzzled me. But I must say that once I had started it, I enjoyed it and found it easy to read. My Book Group didn't really take to it, the MR confused them, I think, and they preferred to be sidetracked into issues that I felt were of minor significance. However, I was enjoying it enough to hold on to the copy for another month so that I could finish it properly (I skip read to the end so that I could join in the discussion at the meeting). I am looking forward to hearing what LitNetters make of it,

[kasie]

Sorry - this got posted twice somehow.

[aliengirl]

My copy of the novel has arrived and I've just began. A few pages in and I'm already hooked. Will be back to share more.

[bouquin]

Where are you at now with your reading?





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Currently reading: Independent People (Halldor Laxness)

[TheFifthElement]

This is one of those books I have long been nervous about tackling. It has such a reputation, a prime example of Magic Realism, a significant modern work etc, it rather frightened me off, plus the only previous MR book I had read, The Magic Toyshop, really puzzled me. But I must say that once I had started it, I enjoyed it and found it easy to read.
I really don't understand why The Magic Toyshop is linked with magical realism. Except for the title, there is nothing 'magical' about it, rather it's a classic bildungsroman, coming of age story (and a very good one, one of my favourites). Very puzzling.

I enjoy Isabel Allende's work, though haven't read The House of the Spirits. She gave a excellent talk at TED about feminism which is worth a watch. She is a very personable lady (and a great writer).

[bouquin]

The House of the Spirits is my first Allende.

[aliengirl]

Where are you at now with your reading?



I'm more than half-way through. I feel as if I am reading Marquez. Clairvoyance, curses, woman of angelic beauty, illegitimate sons; everything is there. Allende is a master story teller just like Marquez. For me the only caveat is that there are passages of first person narrative by Esteban Trueba. It interrupts the flow of the story.

[bouquin]

Have also just read One Hundred Years of Solitude. Some similarities I found:

clairvoyance & asthma = Clara >< Aureliano

prostitutes = Transito >< Pilar Ternera

mysterious disappearance = Uncle Marcos >< Jose Arcadio

false teeth = Clara >< Melquiades

twin brothers = Jaime & Nicolas >< 2 Segundos

beautiful daughters = Rosa >< Remedios

hot air balloon/ flying bedsheets = Marcos >< Remedios

mutism = Clara >< Meme

patriarchs & matriarchs

family of several générations living Under one roof

Willy-nilly extension work on the ancestral home



Pretty sure there are more. Wondering if Ms Allende got inspiration from One Hundred Years of Solitude.

[Dark Muse]

I got a late start on reading this one because I wanted to finish Less Than Zero first and than I have been a bit under the weather so I haven't advanced that far yet, but sense I nominated and voted for this one I wanted to pop in and say I am reading it and will be discussing it.

Thus far I am enjoying it. I am in general a fan of Magic Realism because I like those touches of the surreal and absurd. I also like the way Magic Realism also can have a bit of randomness to it. I love the way these totally bizarre things happen out of no where with no rational explanation and without needing one.

I found the comparisons to One Hundred Years of Solitude to be interesting.

Also I have to say that right now I am loving Clara, thus far she is my favorite character.

[bouquin]

May I join the discussion, please? One of my book groups has recently read this - I didn't finish it so retained the copy which I can keep until the end of the month.

I have enjoyed what I have read so far which was why I kept the book - I'll be interested to read what other LitNetters make of it. (My book group was luke-warm towards it.)




Why was your book group lukewarm towards The House of the Spirits?

[Scheherazade]

I have read only about a quarter so far but I have to join those who cannot deny certain similarities between Marquez's and Allende's works. Despite enjoying the story, I feel I am reading an imitation almost.

[bouquin]

Another similarity is the repetition of the same first names from one generation to the next.

[Dark Muse]

A part of me wonders if the similarities in the two books might also be in part cultural, as they are both Latin Authors. I do not mean to generalize. I am sure in many ways they had very unique and different cultural experiences, but at the same time in terms of certain traditions, superstitions, Religious and Spiritual beliefs, etc... there may be some cultural similarities/commonalities which influences their writing.

[bouquin]

If Alba were to perpetuate the tradition of naming the women in the family after colors what name could she give her daughter?

[Dark Muse]

I am lagging behind but still reading. I am quite enjoying the chapter on Clair and her Clairvoyance. It is interesting learning more about her life and gifts, and how they are developing. Also quite amused by Nana's persistent efforts to scare Clair out of her muteness. In spite of the lack of results, she still is convinced that eventually she will be able to cure Clair that way. It does remind one of the saying about the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

***********Possible Spoiler******************


I just got to the part where Clair announces her upcoming marriage to Estaban. A part of me feels sympathetic towards her, considering that Estaban does not appear to be a very likable person. Though considering Clair's unique gifts, I am interested to see just how this marriage might turn out.
Earth-Mother hasn't given birth since the crocodile/that's why they smile, smile, smile.