The House Of The Spirits

Travel Guide

Although set in an unnamed country, the landscapes setting and history make it clear that this is Chile and could only be Chile.

Allende herself used to live there and she had to flee following the coup in 1973. Having such strong and familial links to the country, it is perhaps expected that she should want to write of her land in this way.

You can certainly feel the atmosphere of the settings – the vineyards or the cordillera –

“The city had expanded into the foothills of the cordillera. There was not a trace of the square where he had played as a little boy….”

Less pleasant but equally strong and realistic is the portrayal and insight into the dictatorship

The day of the coup the sun was shining, a rare event even in the timid spring that was just dawning how difficult yet therapeutic must it have been to write this as with it we get a sense of how Allende is showing the glory and the downfall of her country and paying homage to its beauty and its people

Allende is like a painter who has painted in several colourful layers – some of which aren’t dry yet –  a country of catastrophes” It reveals her impressions and experiences neatly tied into those of her characters

A nice touch is the inclusion of such historical and literary figures such as Chile’s most be;loved poet Pablo Neruda and Pinochet.

As the places are fictional, the booktrail recreates some of the sights linked to the historical events in the book