“Write what should not be forgotten.”

When I want to read a novel that has adventure, family drama, and a grand love affair, I look no further than Isabel Allende. Known as the most widely read Spanish language author in the world, Allende has written over twenty books.  

Allende’s body of work has distinct reoccurring motifs. Often she tells multi-generational stories with strong female leads at the center of the action. Themes include class struggles, displacement in society, and searching for love and loyalty in a volatile world. Allende is very prolific, and continues to put out novels at a good pace, her latest one being The Japanese Lover. 

Her first novel, The House of the Spirits, is one of my all-time favorite books, but it’s not her only book worth exploring for inspiration, so I’m including some of her other great works like Of Love and Shadows, Daughter of Fortune, and Eva Luna.

Table of Contents

The Spirits are Calling

Products: Crop Top, Jeans, Kimono, Boots, Necklace, Ring

The House of the Spirits explores the lives of the Trueba family, mainly their women, from psychic Clara del Valle’s marriage to the ambitious and volatile Esteban, to their daughter Blanca and her love affair with revolutionary Pedro Tercero, to their daughter Alba. The drama is off the charts in this book, with violence, passion, social revolution, familial politics, and magic. 

Start off taking inspiration from Allende and her debut novel with two basic pieces: a black crop top and high-waisted jeans. Make the outfit trendy with this long kimono that also recalls the wealthy Trueba family with its lacy elegance. Classy silver jewelry and must-have ankle boots give the outfit some shine and class.