Paula

Rating:
Summary: soulfull. only with your heart you can read this book
Review: i read this book (paper back) two months ago and i can imagine what a sorrow, and a beautiful wisdom of pain contains in this book ...

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended!
Review: It is an excellent book which has touched my heart. I am the same age as Paula was when she fell into her coma, and I have just married like Paula had. I have made lots of plans for the future, however this book makes you realize that you should live everyday as if it were your last, make the most of life and of those around you now. The book describes so well how interesting and full of events Isabel's own life has been, full of joy and sadness. Isabel is so courageous and strong, you can only admire her. I can't wait to read her other books!

Rating:
Summary: powerfully written & poignant -- then falls flat
Review: Allende conveys the agony and the big questions of life so powerfully throughout. If you have not yet faced adversity in life, read it. If you have, read it. One caveat, towards the end, the writer seems self-absorbed, annoyingly so, and that serves to discount the previous pages so beautifully written

Rating:
Summary: really great, everyone should read it
Review: This is the first book I have read of Isabelle Allende and it was great. I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it at first because it seemed so emotional since I have a daughter and I could not imagine how difficult and painful this situation was for Isabelle. But, the book is so much more. She talks about her life and gives you so much insight. It was not depressing at all, it was almost spiritual. She's a wonderful writer and a great person. I wish more people knew about this book.

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly thought provoking.
Review: I read "Paula" while at a point in my life where I was facing numerous decisions. After finishing it I wanted to speak to Ms Allende personally & say thanks for opening up my mind & really reinforcing that life can be short, & to literally make the most of every day.

Rating:
Summary: A very soul touching reading!
Review: I love how Allende express herself in her writing. Is amazing how strong she is, as a woman, mother and human being. I have already read all her books, but PAULA, is just breathtaking. Is a true story that touches my very soul, and remind me that we all have a treasure in front of us, that sometimes we just dont wanna see. This is Allende's masterpiece, that I recommend to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Exquisito!
Review: This book grabbed not only my time but also my whole being. Thank you Isabel. Life is a wonderful gift and this book helped me to appreciate even more its value.

Rating:
Summary: WOW !
Review: Wow!!! What an amazing story. I laughed and wept. This is a must read. I was however dissapointed with the House of the Spirits.

Rating:
Summary: No book has ever touched me so !
Review: My initial reaction upon finishing to read the book was "I must speak to Ms. Allende PERSONALLY and tell her how she made me feel !!
On the airplane from Moscow, I was on the last chapter and couldn't stop crying - ALOUD ! I just didn't care and totally let my feelings flow. It was an amazing experience. Thank you Ms. Allende !

Rating:
Summary: Rollercoaster
Review: This is her best book ever. Spanish is my mother tongue, so i read the original version. Isabel Allende has this uncanny ability to make some words jump out of the page and grab you, words that you thought you had forgotten, that bring you back to childhood, or remind you of an old neighbor. I read some of the reader comments before posting this, and someone said this book makes you laugh, then five minutes later makes you cry. I couldn't agree more. I enjoyed it also because i saw how much autobiographical insight is in _The House of the Spirits_. One more thing to mention: the description she makes of her uncle Salvador Allende must be one of the best portraits in writing i have ever seen.