I didn't really care for the voice. The protagonist was too careless in her decisions and I couldn't find any reasoning as to why I should root for her. Was she numb to everything? It barely felt like there were consequences for her actions--even her trucker kidnapping and working for a drug lord didn't feel dangerous. Also, I felt that the Allende/Pinochet back story of Maya's [spoiler] grandfather was distracting from the overall plot, it seemed forced (which I'm gathering from the author is a theme in many of her novels). Overall, it just wasn't working for me, which is why it took a while to get through.

Got whiplash going back and forth in time, but otherwise a good story.

I am very interested in visiting the island of Chiloe. The description of the landscape and time slowing down intrigued me. Maya’s life experiences sure made her grow up in a hurry!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, and was saddened when I finished. I started reading this and finished listening which I think added something to the experience. Following Maya from Berkley, to Oregon, to Vegas, Chile was enthralling. At times, it can be a very tough read, but I sense she accurately captured the life of an addict, and I learned a tremendous amount about Chile.

A beautiful story, has a little bit of everything. Love, lost, adventure, family and laughter. A wonderful and entertaining read.

I really liked this one.
It is not strictly set in Chile, but the majority of the book is.
I read via audio which can make it difficult when authors go back and forward in time and do not have chapter headings noting anything.

Isabel Allende can do no wrong (IMO) - this book absolutely captured me and made me feel everything that Maya was feeling - which at times was incredibly draining! I love hearing the stories from Chile, and Berkeley is one of my favorite cities, so it was wonderful to travel back and forth between them.

This book is quite a ride, in that Maya experiences things that none of us should ever have to go through; it's not a "feel-good" read, but it is beautifully written (as per usual from Ms. Allende).

I finished two days ago and I miss the characters - I'm still thinking about them.

What a wonderful story of trauma and triumph! I highly recommend it. The storytelling is raw and honest making the good moments that much sweeter.

Novela que tenia pendiente desde hace tiempo, me ha encantado. Entrañables personajes bien construidos, lo mismo nos saca una sonrisa que una lagrima. Isabel Allende nunca decepciona.