Name: In the Midst of Winter
ISBN: 9781432844363

Isabel Allende

In the middle of a snowstorm in Brooklyn, 60-year-old human rights scholar Richard Bowmaster hits the car of Evelyn Ortega, a young, undocumented immigrant from Guatemala. What at first seems just a small inconvenience takes a far more serious turn when Evelyn turns up at the professor's house seeking help. At a loss, the professor asks his tenant Lucia Maraz, a 62-year-old lecturer from Chile, for her advice. These three very different people are brought together in a story that moves from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil, sparking the beginning of a long overdue love story between Richard and Lucia.

In the Midst of Winter

Más allá del invierno

well...when I started reading this book I was not expecting the plot twist at all. It is such well written, so well portrayed the struggles that each character went through. I felt the pain of Evelyn and all the trauma that she had to endure. Lucia and her strong character and even Robert that at first I thought was boring and ended up having a dark past too. 
The way they all found each other and through a crazy turn of events ended up being like a light in the dark for each other. 
even though it talked about really dark topics, and the realities of many people...it still was entertaining and even fun to read.

New York Times and worldwide bestselling “dazzling storyteller” (Associated Press) Isabel Allende returns with a sweeping novel about three very different people who are brought together in a mesmerizing story that journeys from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil. In the Midst of Winter begins with a minor traffic accident—which becomes the catalyst for an unexpected and moving love story between two people who thought they were deep into the winter of their lives. Richard Bowmaster—a 60-year-old human rights scholar—hits the car of Evelyn Ortega—a young, undocumented immigrant from Guatemala—in the middle of a snowstorm in Brooklyn. What at first seems just a small inconvenience takes an unforeseen and far more serious turn when Evelyn turns up at the professor’s house seeking help. At a loss, the professor asks his tenant Lucia Maraz—a 62-year-old lecturer from Chile—for her advice. These three very different people are brought together in a mesmerizing story that moves from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil, sparking the beginning of a long overdue love story between Richard and Lucia. Exploring the timely issues of human rights and the plight of immigrants and refugees, the book recalls Allende’s landmark novel The House of the Spirits in the way it embraces the cause of “humanity, and it does so with passion, humor, and wisdom that transcend politics” (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post). In the Midst of Winter will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

A Novel

Stacey Mattison

An easy read despite some of the harder topics it embraces. Moved me to tears at times. I have been trying to learn more about illegal (im)migration so that may have biased my lens.

Carolina

Tipo, no es que no me gustó pero en algunas partes se hacía medio goma. Igual que Isabel Allende pueda publicar un libro con tantas comas como que me inspiró sinceramente. Más que nada me jodió que en muchas partes era como que me contaban las cosas en vez de mostrármelas, como eso de que los dos chabones estaban enamorados. Tipo lo único que hubo fue el flaco mirando a la chabona y pensando "está buena", después "uh, podría estar con esta chabona" y después "ah si estoy re enamorado". Pero como que no sentí que estuviera puesto en papel idk. El gato vivió igual así que por eso lado cero críticas.

New York Times and worldwide bestselling author Isabel Allende returns with a sweeping novel that journeys from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil. An instant New York Times bestseller, In the Midst of Winter is about three very different people who are brought together in a mesmerizing story that offers “a timely message about immigration and the meaning of home” (People). During the biggest Brooklyn snowstorm in living memory, Richard Bowmaster, a lonely university professor in his sixties, hits the car of Evelyn Ortega, a young undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, and what at first seems an inconvenience takes a more serious turn when Evelyn comes to his house, seeking help. At a loss, the professor asks his tenant, Lucia Maraz, a fellow academic from Chile, for her advice. As these three lives intertwine, each will discover truths about how they have been shaped by the tragedies they witnessed, and Richard and Lucia will find unexpected, long overdue love. Allende returns here to themes that have propelled some of her finest work: political injustice, the art of survival, and the essential nature of—and our need for—love.

Dorian Avers

The last couple of translated books that I've read have all had the same problem. It seems like the translation takes the heart out of it. It feels flat and detached. Does anybody else have this problem? Can they recommend books that are translated that still have that raw feeling in them?
 This novel is split into fourths. We have a crime and romance happening in the present which is the back drop for these three people to tell their stories. Their stories are interesting and rely heavily on trauma and hurt, but also on their attachment or coldness towards family. Evelyn doesn't do much in the present, we only get to know her from her past, while Richard and Lucia are more highlighted in their present. I appreciate the mature romance because most authors that I've read seem to think romance dies at 40. I think it was well done and felt passionate.
 Overall not a bad book, but it just felt detached, especially since these characters had been through so much. I wish I would've taken Spanish more seriously and could read the original version to see if it is that much more beautiful.

b.andherbooks

Richard, Lucia, and Evelyn's lives converge during an NYC blizzard, leading to an odd road trip to hide a dead woman's body. All find catharsis while recounting their past traumas to the others, as they all have roots in Central and South America.

Wow, this was not for me. The story jumped around from the present to the past for all three characters and was mostly told in passive, past tense. There were horrific stories for all three, but all three felt it was okay to dump a body to hopefully protect Evelyn's life, as she was an illegal immigrant. 

Spoiler alert, they totally get away with it, and even find out who killed the pregnant woman in the trunk and let that person get away with it. There was also an attempt at a love story between Richard and Lucia, and I didn't buy it. 

AND I have to complain about chapter headings! If you are going to title a chapter with a character's name and a date range, please start that chapter with that character's POV and in that date range. So often the chapters were titled as such, but the Allende began the chapter with a different time period and in a different POV! Fine, just don't name the chapters then! Readers are smart, they'll figure out where you are.

Read to fulfill my Book Riot 2017 Reader Harder Challenge. Book written by a South or Central American author and based (in this case mostly) in South or Central America.

**THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER** **The captivating new novel from the multi-million-bestselling author of The House of the Spirits and The Japanese Lover** 'In some of the most beautiful passages in the novel, Allende explores the gentle but redemptive depths of mature love and the paths it can take . . . Allende has an unflashy wisdom to offer, a maturity that illuminates her storytelling . . . it pursues an age-old question: how to live a full life and find meaning, not just survive or endure one's past' Financial Times on In the Midst of Winter New York Times bestseller Isabel Allende returns with a beautifully crafted, multi-generational novel of struggle, endurance and friendship against the odds. Amid the biggest Brooklyn snowstorm in living memory, an unexpected friendship blossoms between three people thrown together by circumstance. Richard Bowmaster, a lonely university professor in his sixties, hits the car driven by Evelyn Ortega, a young, undocumented migrant from Guatemala. But what at first seems an inconvenience takes an unforeseen and darker turn when Evelyn comes to him and his neighbour Lucia Maraz, desperately seeking help. Sweeping from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala to turbulent 1970s Chile and Brazil, and woven with Isabel Allende's trademark humanity, passion and storytelling verve, In the Midst of Winter is a mesmerizing and unforgettable tale. Praise for Isabel Allende: 'Isabel Allende is a master storyteller. When it comes to love Isabel writes from the heart to the heart and I feel all the richer for having been touched by her' Santa Montefiore 'If Allende's life depended on her narrative gifts, she'd not only survive, but reign' Los Angeles Times 'Isabel Allende is the most romantic of writers and The Japanese Lover is a novel of high romance and lush sensuality, unashamedly about the enduring power of love and ending on a note of grace' The Times 'Lush storytelling, with a liberal dusting of South American magical realism and a multi-generational narrative sweep' Financial Times 'Internationally beloved Allende, as effervescent in her compassion, social concerns, and profound joy in storytelling as ever, brings both humor and intensity to this madcap, soulful and transporting tale of three survivors who share their traumatic pasts ... Allende has a rare and precious gift for simultaneously challenging and entrancing readers' Booklist, starred review 'Grief and loss are transformed into healing friendship in this fantastic novel ... A suspenseful, icy adventure. Filled with Allende's signature lyricism and ingenious plotting, the book delves wonderfully into what it means to respect, protect, and love' Publishers Weekly 'This winter's tale has something to melt each frozen heart' Kirkus Reviews

Krystal Campbell 

** spoiler alert **
           The only thing this book had going for it that interested me was 1 one the story lines. It follows 3 character POV that become intertwined but I found myself waiting to get back to one story line when reading the others. 

Overall not a lot actually happens in the book and some of the choices the characters make are just not realistic to human nature. 

I know I wouldn't help a complete stranger hide a body....

Elad Schulman

I really love Allende's writing, and she does it again with this one. Allende is able to describe horrifying moments with such honest simplicity, and this allows the reader to really understand the extent of what the characters are feeling. However, I did feel like this one dragged moments out at times, and by the last few chapters, I was ready for the book to be finished. 

I did learn a lot, and am always interested to read more about South America! 

Renee Blankenship

I'm giving this 3.5 stars!

After receiving an early copy of Isabel Allende's In the Midst of Winter from Atria books I couldn't wait to get started reading it. I've enjoyed many of Allende's books in the past, her writing is so fluid and engaging. I often feel her characters are written so well that I have a hard time leaving them behind once the story is finished. In the Midst of Winter was no different! 

Richard, Evelyn and Lucia are each lost in their own way and in a weird (and honestly somewhat contrived) set of circumstances they come together during a blizzard in New York City one winter. Told in alternating chapters and flashbacks, we slowly learn how each of them made their way to America from their home countries. Sharing similar themes of perseverance amidst struggle and hardship, pain and suffering, Allende weaves a story that makes you hurt for these three people and question what you may think you know about a person sitting across from you on a bus or in a restaurant. We all have a story to tell. 

I found the chapters that took place in the past far more engaging and interesting than the present day situation the three characters found themselves in. That story line seemed a bit far fetched and hard to swallow at times, making me skim quickly to get to the next flashback. I loved learning about each character's life far more than what they were going to do with the dead body in the trunk.

Andrea

janiedelhi

Simran Kalkat

La esperada nueva novela de Isabel Allende. Isabel Allende parte de la célebre cita de Albert Camus -«en medio del invierno aprendí por fin que había en mí un verano invencible»- para urdir una trama que presenta la geografía humana de unos personajes propios de la América de hoy que se hallan «en el más profundo invierno de sus vidas»: una chilena, una joven guatemalteca ilegal y un maduro norteamericano. Los tres sobreviven a un terrible temporal de nieve que cae en pleno invierno sobre Nueva York y acaban aprendiendo que más allá del invierno hay sitio para el amor inesperado y para el verano invencible que siempre ofrece la vida cuando menos se espera. Más allá del invierno es una de las historias más personales de Isabel Allende: una obra absolutamente actual que aborda la realidad de la emigración y la identidad de la América de hoy a través de unos personajes que encuentran la esperanza en el amor y en las segundas oportunidades. Reseñas: «Más allá del invierno es una novela abundante en denuncias sociales e ideológicas. Isabel Allende nos ofrece en este libro un completo menú narrativo como lectura vacacional; un verano incencible o por lo menos ameno y socialmente concienciado con su vitalidad literaria y existencia.» El Correo Español «Los amantes del best seller están de enhorabuena: ha vuelto Isabel Allende con una novela de las suyas, repleta de emoción y amor.» El Cultural En los blogs... «Yo disfruto con estas historias que nos cuenta Allende, cuya temática va derivando lentamente al tema de la vejez, visto eso sí, con una vitalidad y una alegría contagiosa.» Blog El búho entre libros «Encontramos aquí a la Allende más personal, que vuelve a tratar temas universales como la soledad, la muerte, el amor, las segundas oportunidades y, sobre todo, esas historias personales que aparentemente no tienen nada que ver pero se unen para demostrar que las bonitas casualidades existen.» Blog Lecturafilia «Cada día que pasa más me convenzo de que Isabel Allende es una de mis autoras favoritas. Os animo a que os iniciéis con ella porque no os defraudará. Es capaz de meter temas de actualidad sin perder ni un ápice su manera de escribir.» Blog Te deseo un libro «Isabel Allende siempre nos hace dar un paseo muy, muy agradable por sus historias con esa forma de contar suya tan sencilla y tan sentimental.» Rocío Díaz Gómez «[...]He conectado completamente con sus personajes e historias y me ha encantado este reencuentro con Isabel Allende.» Blog Adivina Quién lee «Como siempre, me ha gustado mucho leer a Isabel Allende, reconocer su estilo sencillo, cercano, con ese toque de humor, siempre aprovechando la realidad que la rodea para construir un nuevo libro con el que hacernos disfrutar.» Blog Bitácoras de mis lecturas

Andrea Pozo

Rebecca Grandison 

Diego Larrain

Cristian Garcia

ximena leon

**THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER** **The captivating new novel from the multi-million-bestselling author of The House of the Spirits and The Japanese Lover** 'In some of the most beautiful passages in the novel, Allende explores the gentle but redemptive depths of mature love and the paths it can take . . . Allende has an unflashy wisdom to offer, a maturity that illuminates her storytelling . . . it pursues an age-old question: how to live a full life and find meaning, not just survive or endure one’s past’ Financial Times on In the Midst of Winter New York Times bestseller Isabel Allende returns with a beautifully crafted, multi-generational novel of struggle, endurance and friendship against the odds. Amid the biggest Brooklyn snowstorm in living memory, an unexpected friendship blossoms between three people thrown together by circumstance. Richard Bowmaster, a lonely university professor in his sixties, hits the car driven by Evelyn Ortega, a young, undocumented migrant from Guatemala. But what at first seems an inconvenience takes an unforeseen and darker turn when Evelyn comes to him and his neighbour Lucia Maraz, desperately seeking help. Sweeping from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala to turbulent 1970s Chile and Brazil, and woven with Isabel Allende's trademark humanity, passion and storytelling verve, In the Midst of Winter is a mesmerizing and unforgettable tale. Praise for Isabel Allende: ‘Isabel Allende is a master storyteller. When it comes to love Isabel writes from the heart to the heart and I feel all the richer for having been touched by her’ Santa Montefiore ‘If Allende's life depended on her narrative gifts, she'd not only survive, but reign’ Los Angeles Times ‘Isabel Allende is the most romantic of writers and The Japanese Lover is a novel of high romance and lush sensuality, unashamedly about the enduring power of love and ending on a note of grace’ The Times ‘Lush storytelling, with a liberal dusting of South American magical realism and a multi-gener­ational narrative sweep’ Financial Times ‘Internationally beloved Allende, as effervescent in her compassion, social concerns, and profound joy in storytelling as ever, brings both humor and intensity to this madcap, soulful and transporting tale of three survivors who share their traumatic pasts … Allende has a rare and precious gift for simultaneously challenging and entrancing readers’ Booklist, starred review ‘Grief and loss are transformed into healing friendship in this fantastic novel … A suspenseful, icy adventure. Filled with Allende’s signature lyricism and ingenious plotting, the book delves wonderfully into what it means to respect, protect, and love’ Publishers Weekly ‘This winter's tale has something to melt each frozen heart’ Kirkus Reviews