Ines of my Soul (Book Review)
Sunday, May 31st, 2009
I don’t usually review or recommend novels because to be honest most of the ones I read are grist for the mill of paperback mass consumerism – spy novels, a bit of horror, and intrigue of some nature. However, Ines of my Soul by Isabel Allende (also more readily available in bookstores as paperback) was a present I bought for my partner Linden last year and having finally read it myself I’m impressed by just how brilliant a novel Isabel Allende has written.
Almost forgotten, the life of Ines Suarez in the 1500’s was one of pivotal importance to the conquest and development of Chile, alongside larger than life historic figures which have been far better recorded. I won’t ruin the story by recounting the plot blow for blow but after a measured beginning it draws you into a compelling adventure and tragic story… on the one hand there is the feeling of triumph of conquest, but at the same time the cruelty and cost of the barbaric wars against the Chileans and the indominatable Mapuche to the South leaves a bitter taste in one’s mouth about being European by descent.
