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Photo of Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende

Born August 2, 1942

Isabel Allende was born on 2 August 2 1942 in Lima, Peru. The niece and goddaughter of Salvador Allende, the former president of Chile from 1970 to 1973, she started her writing career as a journalist. Several months after her uncle's assassination and the overthrow of Chile's coalition government in 1973, Allende left Chile and found refuge in Venezuela. Her first novel, The House of the Spirits (1985), which arose directly out of her exile, became a worldwide bestseller and critical success. She often weaves together elements of myth and realism, or what is known as "magic realist." Her novels are sometimes based on her own childhood and life experiences. Allende has been called "the world's most widely read Spanish-language author."

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Books19

My Name Is Emilia del Valle

My Name Is Emilia del Valle

2025
The Wind Knows My Name

The Wind Knows My Name

2023
Violeta

Violeta

2022
The Soul of a Woman

The Soul of a Woman

2020
A Long Petal of the Sea

A Long Petal of the Sea

2019
ma wra alshta

ma wra alshta

2017
In the Midst of Winter

In the Midst of Winter

2017
The Japanese Lover

The Japanese Lover

2015
dftr maya

dftr maya

2011

with ayzabyl allyndy and salh lmany

The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Nineteenth Annual Collection

The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Nineteenth Annual Collection

2006

with Jack Cady, Nisi Shawl, Jay Russell, Chuck Palahniuk, Jeffrey Ford, Kim Newman, Sarah Monette, Joe Hill, Laird Barron, Adam Nevill, Deborah Roggie and Elizabeth Hand

Island Beneath the Sea

Island Beneath the Sea

2005
The Kingdom of the Golden Dragon

The Kingdom of the Golden Dragon

2003
Portrait in Sepia: A Novel

Portrait in Sepia: A Novel

2000
Daughter of Fortune

Daughter of Fortune

1998
Paula

Paula

1990
Cuentos de Eva Luna

Cuentos de Eva Luna

1989
Other Fires: Short Fiction By Latin American Women

Other Fires: Short Fiction By Latin American Women

1985
The House of the Spirits

The House of the Spirits

1982
Of Love and Shadows

Of Love and Shadows

1982