This memorable, historical novel is set in California and Chile, two places that literary legend Isabel Allende knows well. Allende follows her adventurous, courageous, ambitious protagonist Emilia Del Valle, from 1873 at seven years old, to 1892.
Emilia’s mother, Molly, was a dedicated novice nun in San Francisco. But a young Chilean aristocrat Gonzale Del Valle seduced her and abandoned her. Molly gives birth and marries Mexican Pancho Claro, and Emilia is christened with this loving stepfather’s name.
Emilia develops two passions – to write, especially for the freedom and spirit of women, and to discover the truth about her biological father. Firstly, she writes under a male pen name, necessary in the 1880s. Her research with women gives her unique insights on crime. Some of these columns are included in the chapters. They have a contemporary feel dealing with issues of impunity for the wealthy, and manipulation of truth and justice.
Emilia becomes a civil war correspondent in Chile. Eric, another journalist become her mentor and lover, but they are separated as Eric works with the rebels and Emilia with the government. She exposes the terrible conditions the miners of the ‘white gold’ of nitrate have to tolerate. Now writing under her own name, fighting for recognition as a female journalist, she vividly describes the horrific atrocities in the war. The name Del Valle opens doors for her, eventually leading to her father, Gonzale.
Emilia cannot accept resentment and revenge, including the inhumane brutality by the victors after the war, and Molly’s hatred whenever she mention’s Emilia’s biological father. When Molly, hoarding resentment, gives Emilia a damning letter for Gonzales, Emilia’s compassion struggles to deliver it.
Allende immersed me in this sensuous, alluring landscape, as she unfolded the politics and economics of Chilean society. Magical realism helps dramatically when Emilia is alone and vulnerable. My Name is Emilia del Valle a captivating, inspiring novel of love and redemption struggling to survive in the insanity of war.
Reviewed by Judith Grace
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
It is very strange to write one’s biography because it is just a list of dates, events, and achievements. In reality, the most important things about my life happened in the secret chambers of my heart and have no place in a biography. My most significant achievements are not my books, but the love I share with a few people – especially my family – and the ways in which I have tried to help others.
When I was young, I often felt desperate: so much pain in the world and so little I could do to alleviate it! But now I look back at my life and feel satisfied because few days went by without me at least trying to make a difference.
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