Paula

New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1994. First edition (stated). Large octavo in white (red-bordered) DJ, gilt to spine, deckled edges, 330 pages; 25 cm. Exceedingly mild rubbing to spine head and foot, extremely gentle bumping to front board-top corner, barely perceptible wear to other three corners, ownership sticker to front free endpaper, bright pages, binding is tight, extremely mild wear to DJ spine head and foot, exceedingly gentle rubbing to DJ corners, extremely light soiling to DJ, else Near Fine(+) in Near Fine(+) DJ. Hardcover. ISBN: 0060172533

Signed and inscribed by author. Paula is a soul-baring memoir, which, like a novel of suspense, one reads without drawing a breath. The point of departure for these moving pages is a tragic personal experience. In December 1991, Isabel Allende's daughter, Paula, became gravely ill and shortly thereafter fell into a coma. During months in the hospital, the author began to write the story of her family for her unconscious daughter. In the telling, bizarre ancestors appear before our eyes; we hear both delightful and bitter childhood memories, amazing anecdotes of youthful years, the most intimate secrets passed along in whispers. Chile, Allende's native land, comes alive as well, with the turbulent history of the military coup of 1973, the ensuing dictatorship, and her family's years of exile. As an exorcism of death, in these pages Isabel Allende explores the past and questions the gods. Authors, Chilean -- 20th century -- Family relationships.