In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende

After receiving an early copy of Isabel Allende's In the Midst of Winter from Atria books I couldn't wait to get started reading it. I've enjoyed many of Allende's books in the past, her writing is so fluid and engaging. I often feel her characters are written so well that I have a hard time leaving them behind once the story is finished. In the Midst of Winter was no different! 

Richard, Evelyn and Lucia are each lost in their own way and in a weird (and honestly somewhat contrived) set of circumstances they come together during a blizzard in New York City one winter. Told in alternating chapters and flashbacks, we slowly learn how each of them made their way to America from their home countries. Sharing similar themes of perseverance amidst struggle and hardship, pain and suffering, Allende weaves a story that makes you hurt for these three people and question what you may think you know about a person sitting across from you on a bus or in a restaurant. We all have a story to tell. 

I found the chapters that took place in the past far more engaging and interesting than the present day situation the three characters found themselves in. That story line seemed a bit far fetched and hard to swallow at times, making me skim quickly to get to the next flashback. I loved learning about each character's life far more than what they were going to do with the dead body in the trunk. 

That being the only drawback I found in this book, I rated it 3.5 stars on Goodreads. Thank you Atria books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review! 

In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende

352 pages

Published by Atria Books