Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz, based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 16+
Magical novel explores personal, political passions.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Isabel Allende's magnificent novel The House of the Spirits tells the story of four generations of a family in postcolonial Chile, using the literary device of magical realism. The book delves deep into the intersection of complex personal and political issues during a time of warlike struggle between Marxists on one side and capitalists and militarists on the other. There are numerous incidents of rape, torture, and murder, many times (but not always) in the context of the political power struggle. Unrelated to politics, there are a number of unsavory sexual situations: one character photographs deviant sex acts, and some characters have sex with prostitutes (heterosexual and homosexual prostitutes are mentioned). Loving couples have sex as well, within and without marriage. Other potentially disturbing content includes a detailed description of an abortion. Alcohol is consumed, a couple of people smoke marijuana, and a doctor helps one woman recover from addiction to what seems to be heroin.
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Violence & Scariness
a lot
The House of the Spirits includes a lot of interpersonal and political violence. A young girl is traumatized when she sees her older sister cut open by a doctor doing an autopsy. A family pet is stabbed. A woman is decapitated in a car accident. A father beats his wife and his teenage daughter, and attacks the daughter's boyfriend. Many women are raped. Political prisoners are tortured, murdered, and in the case of female prisoners, raped. A powerful earthquake results in destruction of property and loss of thousands of lives.
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Language
a lot
Profanity used in House of the Spirits include the words "s--thole," "son of a bitch," "bastards" and "damned." Also, women are called "whores," and one is called a "dyke," and male homosexuals are called "fags."
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
a lot
The House of the Spirits tells about romantic sex between truly loving couples, but also sex with prostitutes, and violent sexual acts (see "Violence" section). A landowner rapes and impregnates several young female tenants. Male sexual desire is described on several occasions, including a young man with violent and sexual feelings for a young girl. Couples make love with or without benefit of marriage, and one becomes pregnant. A young wife discovers she's married to a sexual deviant who takes lewd photographs of servants performing sex acts. A married man visits brothels where there are female and male (homosexual) prostitutes. An abortion is described in detail.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Brandy and wine and consumed by adults. Two young adults smoke marijuana together. A kind doctor helps a woman recover from drug addiction.
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Educational Value
a lot
Isabel Allende's first novel, The House of the Spirits, tells the story of four generations of a land-owning family in postcolonial Chile. The novel incorporates many elements of magical realism (it blends supernatural occurrences with realistic events). It's easy to separate the fantasy from reality, however, and readers will learn much about the history of political movements and power shifts in Chile from the early 20th century through 1960s. Specifically, readers will see why an oppressed underclass of people embraced Marxism or socialism, why and how the patrons (land owners) struggled to preserve their way of life, and how the brutal military police was able to take power. The novel also reveals a great deal about the role of religion, and gender and class struggles, and the ways these evolved over time.
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Positive Messages
a lot
There are equal parts love and suffering in The House of the Spirits, but there's an amazing amount of hope even in the most dire situations. Charity is also prized very highly in this novel; most of the main characters are devoted to doing good works to feed, heal, and shelter the poor. And familial love eventually triumphs over any grudges or philosophical differences.
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Positive Role Models
a lot
The three generations of women who appear most in The House of the Spirits -- Clara (grandmother), Blanca (mother), and Alba (daughter) -- are generous, caring women who devote themselves to their loved ones and to helping the needy in their community. Jamie, one of Blanca's twin brothers, is a good-hearted doctor who puts healing far ahead of financial gain.
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
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- Parents say (3)
- Kids say (6)
age 18+
Based on 3 parent reviews
Sukikiokia Adult
November 16, 2015
age 18+
I would like to say something good, but...
Honestly, not only is it inappropriate, but its just not good. The timeline causes for a lack of plot and therefore a lack of drive for the story. There is lots of sex, rape, prostitution, and pornography. If you're thinking you could use this book to dive deeper into ethical dilemmas, prepare to be disappointed. There is no evidence to justify any of the negative actions of the character and so what you're left with is a bunch of people agreeing that rape is bad. Wow, that cleared that up! For a second I thought rape was GREAT! Now there is the setting. We see Chile progress through time and politics, however, the author prefers to focus on sex. This leaves a fascinating portion of the story untold. "Magical Realism" is quite the joke if you've ever read a non-fiction fantasy book, but if not, you might be impressed. The only people I have ever known to like this book are uneducated sex-obsesed freaks.
PerisOch Adult
November 6, 2019
age 18+
Fantastic
With pretty mature subject matter and a complex timeline, this book might not be appropriate or well-liked by kids in high school, but having a background of understanding of what was going on in Chile, where the book takes place although it is not explicitly stated, and a developed conversation of Isabel Allende's purposes and techniques, a mature reader can understand what a well-written book this is. Magical Realism is a difficult writing style, but Allende incorporates magical elements in a way that seems organic and normal, and the cyclical timeline of the women in the family leaves the reader often creating their own hypotheses and asking for more. I also think that making the lifeline of Esteban Trueba the sole linear aspect of the novel is crucial to understanding the rest of the plot. Furthermore, the use of two narrators is another way that Allende baits the reader on to ask questions and keep reading because the answer to who the second narrator is only makes sense when you realize what happens to the Trueba family. Overall an excellent book but understandably not appreciated by younger generations.
See all 3 parent reviews
What's the Story?
THE HOUSE OF SPIRITS takes place in Chile and tells the story of four generations of characters, beginning with the intersection of the del Valle family and the Trueba family before the start of World War I. As a young man, Esteban Trueba becomes engaged to the beautiful Rosa del Valle, who looks strikingly like a mermaid. Later, Esteban becomes a wealthy landowner, or patron. He eventually marries Rosa's sister Clara, the youngest of the wealthy and politically active del Valles, who communicates with spirits and can see the future. Esteban becomes a senator, but his way of life is threatened by political war between the right-wing conservatives he supports and the Marxist underclasses, and then by a violent government takeover by militarists. Meanwhile, the Trueba children follow very different paths in their choice of lovers and careers. Two generations -- Esteban and his granddaughter, Alba -- tell their family's story, which intertwines with the story of Chile's 20th century political struggles.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (6):
Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits is epic in its personal and political scope, and in its sheer beauty. Her elegant prose weaves easily between the two different points of view in the book: the patriarchal grandfather clinging to the past, and his forward-thinking, soft-hearted granddaughter. All of Allende's characters are complex and beautifully realized. This brilliant novel is a great literary achievement on every level, as it seamlessly intertwines the characters' personal and political passions and the momentous events of their times.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Isabel Allende's use of magical realism the blending of supernatural and realistic fictional elements. Do you believe that Clara could talk to spirits? Why do you think the author added this fantastical quality to The House of Spirits?
Talk about the ways gender/sex roles change over time in the book, and the ways they don't.
Can you see why an oppressed underclass of people would embrace Marxism or socialism?
Book Details
- Author : Isabel Allende
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Magic and Fantasy, Brothers and Sisters
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House
- Publication date : April 12, 1985
- Number of pages : 448
- Last updated : June 25, 2015
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The House of the Spirits
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