Allende es una escritora con muchísimo oficio. Esto incluye, por supuesto, la capacidad de encontrar buenas historias, además de saber contarlas bien. A lo que parece, la historia de Inés Suárez, la compañera de Pedro de Valdivia, conquistador de Chile, es de lo más interesante. Bueno, yo creo que casi todas las historias de la conquista española de tierras americanas son sencillamente asombrosas. Incluso cuando las cuentan los propios protagonistas, que eran soldados con pocas ínfulas literarias, son fascinantes, así que no digamos nada si caen en manos de escritores de verdad, como es el caso. Allende afirma que ella apenas se ha inventado nada, aunque más bien creo que ha dado crédito a unas versiones por encima de otras, exagerado algunas cosas y disimulado otras. En definitiva, esto es una novela cuya ficción principal son las supuestas memorias que Inés, ya anciana, dicta a su hijastra (hija que su último marido trajo a su matrimonio) ante la cercanía de su muerte. Como digo, la historia se sigue muy bien, las aventuras de Suárez, Valdivia y sus compañeros resultan muy entretenidas y, además, se agradece la interés de la autora por buscar el equilibrio en los temas polémicos de fondo, como la crueldad de los conquistadores (eran lo que eran, y los indígenas tampoco resultaban ser angelitos), la sed del oro o la explotación del terreno y sus habitantes, que Allende casi disculpa por la lejanía de todo poder estatal efectivo. El resultado, pues,es un libro muy agradable, sin que llegue a mucho más. ( )

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Inés of My Soul (Inés del Alma Mía) by Isabel Allende is a historical fiction book which follows Spanish conquistadora Inés Suarez writing her memoirs on her deathbed. Ms. Allende is a prolific award-winning American-Chilean author.

Inés is a seamstress in Spain, whose husband, Juan of Málaga, left her for the new world. Inés follows him, only to discover he died.

She ties her fortunes with Pedro de Valdivia, and the two set out to conquer Chile. Inés was a woman ahead of her time, not only brave and not afraid to fight, but also establishing schools, soup kitchens, and hospitals.

I knew very little about this book when starting to read it. It was on sale, and I always enjoyed Isabel Allende’s work so I figured I’d pick it up. What I immediately discovered was an epic tale about the founding of Chile, one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited.

I didn’t know anything about Inés Suarez before starting this book. The named sounded familiar but I couldn’t quite place it, after I finished the book, I read more about here. I’d like to think that in Inés of My Soul, author Isabel Allende captured her spirit, and also told of the foundation of Chile in a fascinating and entertaining manner.

Through Inés, the author gives honor to the Mapuche and the Yanaconas, the native tribes which the Spanish tried to subdue. She does not shy away from describing the many injustices and cruelties they suffered at the hands of the conquistadors.

The history in the book was fascinating, as I’ve read about conquistadors before, but never about Chile. Most of the books centered on the Inca Empire and Cortez’s exploits. The characters were well written, and Ms. Allende did not feel the need to make the men weak to make her heroine strong. Quite the opposite, Inés is a strong female, and character, in her own right measuring up to, and often surpassing, the strong men surrounding her.

It shows that the author did a tremendous amount of research, even to the point of justifying atrocities in the name of Spain and the church. A very common excuse back then, and sadly still is today. ( )

Inés Suárez es una joven y humilde costurera que se embarca hacia el Nuevo Mundo en busca de su marido, extraviado al otro lado del Atlántico. Inés, que anhela una vida de aventuras, no encontrará a su esposo pero sí un amor apasionado: Pedro de Valdivia, maestre de campo de Francisco Pizarro, con quien enfrentará los riesgos y las incertidumbres de la conquista y la fundación del reino de Chile. En esta novela épica el aliento del amor concede una tregua a la violencia y la crueldad de un momento histórico inolvidable.Isabel Allende ha confirmado que la realidad puede ser tan sorprendente como la mejor ficción, e igualmente cautivadora.

Historical fiction about the life of Inés Suárez. Born in Spain in the early 1500s, she sails to South America with her niece to find her husband, Juan de Málaga, who has gone in search of gold. The story is told by Inés, near the end of her life, in the form of a diary she plans to give to her stepdaughter, Isabel. The narrative covers her three romantic relationships, and her participation in the expedition to conquer Chile. They establish the city of Santiago and battle the native people.

Allende is known for her female protagonists, and Inés is the prototype of a strong woman. She becomes self-sufficient as a seamstress, cook, and nurse. Allende employs magical realism here, but less so than some of her previous works. This novel is a sweeping saga covering approximately eighty years. Inés experiences many adventures, hardships, battles, and love affairs. The author does not spare the gruesome details of combat, punishments, and executions.

I enjoyed this book and looked forward to picking it up. It occasionally wanders from the primary storyline. I was not previously aware of Inés Suárez and her role in Chilean history. It inspired me to do further research. ( )

The story of how Spaniards colonized Chile, torturing and subjugating the Indians who were there first, in the 16th century. ( )