Draw my Life de Isabel Allende | Biografía de Isabel Allende

Javier Sosa

21 Apr 202106:21

Summary

TLDRIsabel Allende, born on August 2, 1942, in Lima, is a Chilean-American author with Spanish and Portuguese ancestry. Her father, Salvador Allende, was the President of Chile from 1970 to 1973. After her parents' separation, Isabel moved to Chile at the age of three, where she later married and had two children. Following the 1973 coup against her father, she and her family went into exile in Venezuela until 1988. Allende's writing career began with articles and children's stories, leading to her first novel, 'The House of the Spirits,' which became a bestseller and was adapted into a film. Her second novel, 'Of Love and Shadows,' was also a success and made into a movie. She has written several other novels, including 'Paula,' an autobiographical work inspired by the tragic death of her daughter. In 1990, she returned to Chile with the restoration of democracy and was honored with the Order of Merit Teaching and Cultural in 1992. Allende has received numerous awards, including the National Prize for Literature in Chile and the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Literature. Her writing often involves humor and is known for its magical storytelling. She has also ventured into historical fiction and the police novel genre, with works like 'Inés of My Soul' and 'Island Beneath the Sea.' Her literature is part of the 'Latin American Boom' or 'New Latin American Literature,' characterized by a return to realism.

Takeaways

🌟 Isabel Allende was born in Lima, Peru, on August 2, 1942, and holds Chilean and American nationalities, with Spanish and Portuguese ancestry.
👨‍🦳 Her father, Salvador Allende, was the President of Chile from 1970 to 1973, which influenced her early life and background.
👶 In 1945, after her parents' separation, Isabel moved to Chile with her mother and siblings at the age of three.
💑 In 1959, Isabel married Miguel Frías and had two children, Paula and Nicolás. However, due to the 1973 coup against her father, she went into exile with her family in Venezuela in 1975.
📚 She worked for the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization in Chile from 1959 to 1965 and later in Europe.
🎭 Allende began her career as a writer with contributions to various magazines and children's literature, and also ventured into theater.
📖 Her first and most famous novel, 'The House of the Spirits,' was born from a letter she started writing to her grandmother in 1981 and was later adapted into a film.
🏆 The novel has sold over 51 million copies and has been translated into more than 27 languages, establishing Allende's literary reputation.
📝 After the tragic death of her daughter Paula, Allende wrote an autobiographical epistolary book titled 'Paula,' published in 1994.
🏆 She has received numerous accolades, including the Chilean National Literature Prize in 2010 and the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Prize for her storytelling abilities.
📚 Her works encompass a variety of genres, including historical novels like 'Inés del alma mía' and 'The Island Beneath the Sea,' as well as the young adult novel 'City of the Beasts' and a foray into mystery with 'The Reaper'.

Q & A

When and where was Isabel Allende born?
-Isabel Allende was born on August 2, 1942, in Lima, Peru.
What is Isabel Allende's nationality and her ancestry?
-Isabel Allende is Chilean by birth, holds United States nationality, and has Hispanic Portuguese ancestry.
Who was Isabel Allende's father and what was his role in Chile's history?
-Isabel Allende's father was Salvador Allende, who served as the President of Chile from 1970 to 1973.
Why did Isabel Allende move to Chile at a young age?
-Isabel Allende moved to Chile at the age of three because her mother remarried Ramón Huidobro, who was then posted in Bolivia.
What significant event in Chilean history led to Isabel Allende and her family leaving the country?
-The military coup on September 11, 1973, against her father, and the subsequent arrival of the dictatorship in Chile, led to Isabel Allende and her family seeking exile.
In which country did Isabel Allende live in exile and for how long?
-Isabel Allende lived in exile in Venezuela from 1975 to 1988.
What was the profession of Isabel Allende before she became a writer?
-Before becoming a writer, Isabel Allende worked for the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization in Chile and later in Europe.
What was the inspiration behind her first novel, 'The House of the Spirits'?
-The inspiration for 'The House of the Spirits' came from a letter Isabel Allende started writing to her grandmother in 1981.
How many copies of 'The House of the Spirits' have been sold, and in how many languages has it been translated?
-Over 51 million copies of 'The House of the Spirits' have been sold, and it has been translated into more than 27 languages.
What personal tragedy did Isabel Allende experience that inspired her to write 'Paula'?
-Isabel Allende's daughter Paula died at the age of 28 due to porphyria, which led to a coma. This painful experience inspired her to write 'Paula'.
What is the name of the foundation that Isabel Allende established in honor of her daughter, and for what purpose?
-Isabel Allende established the Isabel Allende Foundation in honor of her daughter, who had worked as a volunteer in marginalized communities in Venezuela and Spain as an educator and psychologist.
What is the literary movement that Isabel Allende's work is often associated with?
-Isabel Allende's work is often associated with the literary movement known as the 'Latin American Boom', although some scholars prefer to call it 'Newest Literature'.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Life and Literary Beginnings of Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende, born in Lima on August 2, 1942, is a Chilean-American author with Spanish and Portuguese heritage. Her father, Salvador Allende, was the President of Chile from 1970 to 1973. Isabel spent her early years in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia due to her father's diplomatic postings. After her parents' separation in 1945, she moved back to Chile with her mother and siblings. In 1959, she married Miguel Frías, with whom she had two children, Paula and Nicolás. Following the 1973 coup against her father, she and her family went into exile in Venezuela in 1975. Her marriage ended, and she later married Willie Gordon in 1988, eventually obtaining U.S. citizenship in 2003. From 1959 to 1965, she worked for the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization in Chile. She began her writing career in the late 1960s and early 1970s, contributing to various magazines and newspapers, and later ventured into playwriting. Her most famous work, 'The House of the Spirits,' originated as a letter to her grandmother and was published in 1982, adapted into a film in 1993, and has sold over 51 million copies in 27 languages. She also established the Isabel Allende Foundation in honor of her daughter Paula, who passed away at 28 due to porphyria.

05:01

📚 Isabel Allende's Literary Achievements and Styles

Isabel Allende's writing process often begins without a detailed plan, with many of her books originating from personal letters or reflections, such as 'The House of the Spirits' and 'Paula.' Humor plays a significant role in her works, whether they are journalistic or literary. She has made attempts to reach younger audiences with novels like 'City of the Beasts,' written as a break from her more historically researched books, allowing her imagination to run free. Allende has also written historical novels, such as 'Inés del Aliento' about the first Spanish woman to arrive in Chile, and 'The Island Beneath the Sea,' which tells the story of a slave in late 18th-century Haiti. Her work is associated with the 'Paul Boom' or 'New Literature' movement, characterized by a return to realism. In 2012, she ventured into the mystery genre with 'The Reaper.' Some of her most notable works include 'The House of the Spirits,' 'Of Love and Shadows,' 'Eva Luna,' 'Paula,' and 'Daughter of Fortune.' She has received numerous accolades, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Trento in Italy, the National Literature Prize of Chile, and the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award, recognizing her storytelling abilities and her contributions to the literary world.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende is a renowned Chilean-American author known for her rich and evocative storytelling. Born on August 2, 1942, in Lima, Peru, she holds dual Chilean and American nationalities. Her works often reflect her diverse cultural heritage and personal experiences, including the political turmoil in Chile during her lifetime. In the video, her life, works, and writing style are discussed, highlighting her significance in contemporary literature.

💡Chilean Dictatorship

The Chilean Dictatorship refers to the period of authoritarian rule in Chile following the coup d'état on September 11, 1973, which led to the overthrow of President Salvador Allende, Isabel's father. This historical event had a profound impact on Isabel Allende's life and is a recurring theme in her literature, reflecting the personal and political struggles she and her family faced during this time.

💡The House of the Spirits

The House of the Spirits is Allende's most famous novel, which was born out of a letter she began writing to her dying grandmother in 1981. The novel, which was later adapted into a film, has sold over 51 million copies and has been translated into more than 27 languages. It is a multigenerational saga that weaves together the personal and the political, reflecting the broader themes of love, loss, and the complexities of family dynamics.

💡Paula

Paula is an autobiographical epistolary novel by Isabel Allende, published in 1994. It recounts the life of her daughter, who died at the age of 28 due to porphyria, a condition that left her in a coma. The book is a poignant exploration of grief and the mother-daughter relationship, and it is a testament to Allende's ability to transform personal tragedy into a work of art that resonates with readers worldwide.

💡Isabel Allende Foundation

The Isabel Allende Foundation was established by the author in honor of her late daughter, who had worked as a volunteer in marginalized communities in Venezuela and Spain. The foundation continues Paula's legacy by supporting projects that empower women and girls, particularly in the areas of education and health. This initiative demonstrates Allende's commitment to social justice and her desire to make a positive impact on the world beyond her literary contributions.

💡Magical Realism

Magical Realism is a literary genre that combines realistic narratives with fantastical elements, often used by Allende in her works. It allows her to explore complex themes and ideas in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. In the context of the video, magical realism is mentioned as a key component of Allende's storytelling style, which contributes to her status as a 'narradora mágica' or magical storyteller.

💡Novísima Literature

Novísima Literature is a term sometimes used to describe the literary movement that includes the works of Isabel Allende. It is characterized by a return to realism and a focus on the experiences of individuals and societies in Latin America. Allende's novels, with their rich portrayal of characters and settings, are often associated with this movement, although some scholars prefer to label it as part of the 'Latin American Boom' or 'Boom Latinoamericano'.

💡Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction is a genre that uses historical settings and events as the backdrop for fictional narratives. Allende has written several historical novels, such as 'Inés del alma mía', which tells the story of Inés Suárez, the first Spanish woman to arrive in Chile, and 'The Island Beneath the Sea', which narrates the life of a slave in late 18th-century Haiti. These works showcase her ability to bring history to life through compelling storytelling.

💡City of the Beasts

City of the Beasts is a novel by Allende that represents her attempt to reach a younger audience. After writing two historical research-based books, she decided to 'rest' and let her imagination run wild with this work. It is an example of how Allende continues to explore new themes and genres throughout her career, demonstrating her versatility as a writer.

💡The Reaper

The Reaper is a novel by Isabel Allende that marks her venture into the genre of crime fiction. Published in 2012, it showcases her ability to craft suspenseful narratives that engage readers with their intricate plots and well-drawn characters. The novel is an example of Allende's willingness to experiment with different literary forms and her commitment to storytelling across various genres.

💡Exile

Exile is a recurring theme in Allende's life and work, reflecting her own experiences after leaving Chile in 1975 due to the political situation. The video discusses her time in Venezuela and her eventual move to the United States, where she obtained citizenship in 2003. The concept of exile is explored in her literature as a state of displacement and a source of both personal and creative growth.

Highlights

Isabel Allende was born in Lima, Peru on August 2, 1942, and is of Chilean, American, Spanish, and Portuguese descent.

Her father, Salvador Allende, was the President of Chile from 1970 to 1973.

Allende's Spanish and Portuguese ancestry comes from both her paternal and maternal sides.

After her parents' separation in 1945, she moved to Chile with her mother and siblings.

Isabel married Miguel Frías in 1963 and had two children, Paula and Nicolás.

Following the 1973 coup against her father and the rise of dictatorship in Chile, Allende and her family went into exile in Venezuela in 1975.

Her marriage to Frías ended, and she later married Willie Gordon, an attorney, in 1988.

Allende received United States citizenship in 2003 and has been living in the U.S. since 1988.

She worked for the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization in Chile from 1959 to 1965.

Allende began her writing career by publishing articles and children's stories in magazines and newspapers.

Her play 'El Embajador' premiered in 1971, and she continued to work in theater until leaving Chile in 1973.

The House of the Spirits, her first novel, was born from a letter she started writing to her grandmother in 1981.

The novel has sold over 51 million copies and has been translated into more than 27 languages.

Isabel Allende's second novel, 'Love in the Time of Cholera', was also a major success and adapted into a film in 1994.

In 1990, with the return of democracy in Chile, she was awarded the Order of Merit for her contributions to literature.

Allende founded the Isabel Allende Foundation in honor of her daughter Paula, who worked as a volunteer in marginalized communities.

She received an honorary doctorate from the University of Trento, Italy, in 2007.

In 2010, she was awarded the National Prize for Literature in Chile for her outstanding contributions to literature.

Allende is known for her magical storytelling and ability to captivate audiences, often starting her writing process without a detailed plan.

Her works often incorporate humor and are born from personal reflections or letters, such as 'Paula' and 'The House of the Spirits'.

Allende has written historical novels like 'Inés of My Soul', which tells the story of Inés Suárez, the first Spanish woman to arrive in Chile.

Her work has been classified under the literary movement known as the 'Latin American Boom', although some scholars prefer 'Newest Literature'.

In 2012, Allende ventured into the genre of detective novels with 'The Reaper'.