My Name Is Emilia del Valle - Large Print by Isabel Allende (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this spellbinding historical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea and The Wind Knows My Name, a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father--and herself.

In San Francisco in 1866, an Irish nun, abandoned following a torrid relationship with a Chilean aristocrat, gives birth to a daughter named Emilia del Valle. Raised by a loving stepfather, Emilia grows into an independent thinker and a self-sufficient young woman.

To pursue her passion for writing, she is willing to defy societal norms. At the age of seventeen, she begins to publish pulp fiction using a man's pen name. When these fictional worlds can no longer satisfy her sense of adventure, she turns to journalism, convincing an editor at The Daily Examiner to hire her. There she is paired with another talented reporter, Eric Whelan.

As she proves herself, her restlessness returns, until an opportunity arises to cover a brewing civil war in Chile. She seizes it, as does Eric, and while there, she meets her estranged father and delves into the violent confrontation in the country where her roots lie. As she and Eric discover love, the war escalates and Emilia finds herself in extreme danger, fearing for her life and questioning her identity and her destiny.

A riveting tale of self-discovery and love from one of the most masterful storytellers of our time, My Name Is Emilia del Valle introduces a character who will never let hold of your heart.

Review Quotes

"Isabel Allende is a literary treasure. Her latest novel is a beautifully written portrait of a woman coming of age and finding her voice. In this tale of love, war, betrayal, and redemption, Allende transports the reader wholeheartedly to the nineteenth century, a time when women's choices were limited and their ambitions thwarted. Bold and unwilling to be bound by the conventions of the day, Emilia del Valle dares to forge her own path and break the rules set for women, and in doing so finds herself on a dangerous journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she believes to be true."--Kristin Hannah, author of The Women

"A captivating novel of love and war from one of our most revered storytellers."--Kate Morton, author of Homecoming

"Isabel Allende is one of the great storytellers of our time. Her books are multilayered, deeply magical, and unputdownable--and they always touch the heart. They're quite simply beautiful. My Name is Emilia del Valle is a spellbinding masterpiece. I really loved it."--Santa Montefiore, author of The Girl in the Castle

"Bestselling author Isabel Allende has crafted yet another spellbinding narrative in My Name Is Emilia del Valle, a historical novel about self-discovery, ambition, and destiny."--Harper's Bazaar

"Isabel Allende never fails to deliver on the sweeping and spellbinding front. Her latest historical novel is about an ambitious young aspiring writer who goes after her dreams--much like Allende herself did."--Today

"Anyone who is a fan of historical fiction should look no further. . . . If you have ever read a Kristin Hannah book or think you might enjoy historical fiction, Allende is here for you."--Her Campus

"The author of The House of the Spirits and Violeta delivers a captivating new novel set in the mid-nineteenth century."--BookBub

"In this spellbinding historical novel . . . a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father--and herself."--The Nerd Daily

"Isabel Allende's latest novel follows Emilia del Valle's transformative journey across continents and through generations. With her signature lyrical prose, Allende explores themes of love, self-discovery, and resilience, crafting an emotional tapestry that will captivate readers."--AL DÍA

About the Author

Isabel Allende, born in Peru and raised in Chile, is a novelist, feminist, and philanthropist. She is one of the most widely read authors in the world, having sold more than eighty million copies of her books across forty-two languages. She is the author of many bestselling and critically acclaimed books, including The Wind Knows My Name, Violeta, A Long Petal of the Sea, The House of the Spirits, Of Love and Shadows, Eva Luna, and Paula. In addition to her work as a writer, Allende devotes much of her time to human rights causes. She has received fifteen honorary doctorates, has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame, and received the PEN Center USA's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, and in 2018, she received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation. Allende lives in California with her husband and dogs.