In the Midst of Winter: A Novel
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 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.
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.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
thenextgoodbook.com
In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende
340 pages
What’s it about?
A snowstorm in Brooklyn brings Richard, Lucia, and Evelyn together. When Richard hits Evelyn's car during a snowstorm he hands her his information and is surprised when she runs away. Things take a turn when Evelyn, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, arrives at his door later that evening needing help. Richard turns to his neighbor Lucia to help translate.
What did it make me think about?
This was just an easy, enjoyable read. The topic Allende's story focuses on is immigration, but there are so many current novels discussing immigration in a deeper way. Having said that- Allende may get readers thinking about this topic that veer away from heavier books.
Should I read it?
I would put this in the beach book category. Great when you just want to read for pleasure, enjoy a little romance, and not think too hard...
Quote-
"For years now he had lived in a perfectly controlled environment where there were no surprises or upheavals, and yet he had not completely forgotten the fascination of the few adventures he had known in his youth, particularly his mad passion for Anita. He smiled at his apprehension, because driving a few blocks in bad weather was not exactly an adventure. At that moment he saw clearly how small and limited his existence had become."
If you like this try-
Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende
340 pages
What’s it about?
A snowstorm in Brooklyn brings Richard, Lucia, and Evelyn together. When Richard hits Evelyn's car during a snowstorm he hands her his information and is surprised when she runs away. Things take a turn when Evelyn, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, arrives at his door later that evening needing help. Richard turns to his neighbor Lucia to help translate.
What did it make me think about?
This was just an easy, enjoyable read. The topic Allende's story focuses on is immigration, but there are so many current novels discussing immigration in a deeper way. Having said that- Allende may get readers thinking about this topic that veer away from heavier books.
Should I read it?
I would put this in the beach book category. Great when you just want to read for pleasure, enjoy a little romance, and not think too hard...
Quote-
"For years now he had lived in a perfectly controlled environment where there were no surprises or upheavals, and yet he had not completely forgotten the fascination of the few adventures he had known in his youth, particularly his mad passion for Anita. He smiled at his apprehension, because driving a few blocks in bad weather was not exactly an adventure. At that moment he saw clearly how small and limited his existence had become."
If you like this try-
Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
I’m sorry, I could not finish this book. Too much dialogue. Too dark. Too much like reading my local paper. Yes, I live in Ohio in a county that is plagued with drugs, no jobs, crime. This was not an escape for me.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.