The author describes her lifelong commitment to feminism in a meditation on what it means to be a woman, discussing progress within the movement in her lifetime, what remains to be done, and how to move forward in the future.
Allende, a fixture of Latin American storytelling since the publication of The House of the Spirits in 1982, is well qualified to deliver a feminist manifesto. Those who have followed her career are familiar with the number of times she has struggled defiantly to overcome roadblocks in her path ... In The Soul of a Woman , Allende describes these experiences and others that imbued her with the grit and tenacity that define her today ... Allende discusses her past matter-of-factly and directly, without losing her piquante humor. She details her career from its roots in feminist journalism through the literary pursuits that made her a success in spite of adversity and personal tragedy. Ultimately Allende tells us of a life lived fully, for better or worse. The passionate choices she has made are boldly laid out without apologies in this slim volume. Allende even reflects on the twilight of her life, though it seems unbelievable that such a vibrant spirit could ever dim. But when it does, the blaze her life leaves behind will illuminate this world for decades to come.
From the vantage of her 70-plus years, Allende uses the lens of feminism to reflect on her life. Feminist was a role she was destined to fulfill, in spite of the misogyny rampant in her native Chile ... Independence of spirit fueled Allende’s ambition, the desire to witness as strong as that to write. Allende’s transformative approach to feminism is visceral and, not surprisingly, lyrical ... In a narrative that is part memoir and part manifesto, Allende both rails against and embraces aging, making peace with the adjustments she’s made and celebrating life’s joys and accomplishments as measured against a life well lived. A crisp and buoyant unburdening, Allende’s philosophical treatise on women’s issues is unabashedly passionate and personal, as befits one of the world’s most beloved authors and journalists.
... a bold exploration of womanhood, feminism, parenting, aging, love and more ... This short, but mighty memoir opens with a proud declaration that Allende has been a feminist since kindergarten, and from there launches readers into an enchanting examination of the life she has lived ever since ... a chronicle of her fierce advocacy for herself and for the power of women, and it is also an ode to the many people who shaped her. With humor and wisdom, Allende offers poignant observations on topics like ambition, the lack of respect we show to aging people and the #MeToo movement ... Spending time with Allende within these pages is a true delight. The book is conversational, contemplative, and relatable. Allende is self-deprecating and jubilant, writing as if she is chatting over coffee and scones with an old friend about the lessons life has taught her. The book will no doubt make you think about these big concepts in new and personal ways.
