In the Midst of Winter

By: Isabel Allende

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Alma Cuervo

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times and worldwide best-selling "dazzling storyteller" (Associated Press) Isabel Allende returns with a sweeping novel about three very different people who are brought together in a mesmerizing story that journeys from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil.

In the Midst of Winter begins with a minor traffic accident - which becomes the catalyst for an unexpected and moving love story between two people who thought they were deep into the winter of their lives. Richard Bowmaster - a 60-year-old human rights scholar - hits the car of Evelyn Ortega - a young undocumented immigrant from Guatemala - in the middle of a snowstorm in Brooklyn. What at first seems just a small inconvenience takes an unforeseen and far more serious turn when Evelyn turns up at the professor's house seeking help. At a loss, the professor asks his tenant Lucia Maraz - a 62-year-old lecturer from Chile - for her advice. These three very different people are brought together in a mesmerizing story that moves from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil, sparking the beginning of a long overdue love story between Richard and Lucia.

Exploring the timely issues of human rights and the plight of immigrants and refugees, the book recalls Allende's landmark novel The House of the Spirits in the way it embraces the cause of "humanity, and it does so with passion, humor, and wisdom that transcend politics" (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post). In the Midst of Winter will stay with you long after you listen to the last minute.

©2017 Isabel Allende (P)2017 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Each of the narrators, Dennis Boutsikaris, Jasmine Jones, and Alma Cuervo, embodies the tone, personality, and pain of his or her characters, with Cuervo providing the most genuine performance. Listeners may become so engaged in the characters' histories that they experience a jolt upon being brought back to the present and the narrative about the minor car accident that draws these three people together." (AudioFile)

Typical Allende, rich, warm, enticing.

IN does story is rich with color and culture. The narrators and their accents and emphasis gave the story credibility.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Down Right Harrowing

To me this book was so extremely violent and politically driven that I was completely overwhelmed. Honestly, I had to stop listening three or four times, give it a day or two and then return and try again. I searched repeatedly for a foothold within the characters, something to secure the storytelling, without luck.

I understood before I started that the story would have themes focused on human rights issues, immigration and abuse. I expected to feel a level of discomfort with the struggles of the characters. What I did not expect was the harsh tone of strident or even preachy lecturing that I encountered.

The stories of Central America and South America were so gruesome and horrifying that I found myself unable to continue. For that matter, even the lives lived by the characters in NYC were dire, cold and barren.

I have loved Allende's writing in the past so I really wanted to give this new book a chance.
In the end, what made me finally give up was the pervasive feeling of being brow beaten with misery. Allende seems to have chosen the sledge hammer approach over all else to sway the reader. Do be forewarned, considerable graphic violence and heartbreak ahead.

46 of 57 people found this review helpful

You never know what people are going through.

Interesting backgrounds of three individuals who come together! I️ loved Lucia’s quirky personality. It really came through the writing and the through the narrator as well.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

For anyone in educating dealing with immigration

The book was recommends by my staff. A must read to understand why children are fleeing countries that are at war.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A Relevant and Lyrical Novel

IN THE MIDST OF WINTER
Isabel Allende


MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER Simon and Schuster Audio
PUBLISHED November 2, 2017

A relevant and lyrical novel that runs the gamut of emotions, blending humor, tragedy, depression and love.

SUMMARY
IN THE MIDST OF WINTER begins with a minor traffic accident on a snowy morning in Brooklyn. Richard Bowmaster, a depressed 60-year-old human rights professor slides on the snow into the rear a white Lexus causing some minor damage. The Lexus is driven by Evelyn Ortega, a young undocumented Guatemala immigrant who works as a nanny for a New York gangster. She immediately drives off, as Richard throw his business card through her window. The accident takes a serious turn when Evelyn shows up on Richard’s doorstep later that evening in immense distress and uncommunicative. Not knowing what to do, Richard calls his downstairs tenant Lucia Maraz, a 62-year-old visiting professor from Chile, for help. After several hours, Richard and Lucia are finally able to understand the full extent of Evelyn’s plight regarding the accident and they agree to help her. Later the next day the three travel together to upstate New York in an attempt to resolve Evelyn’s issue. During this trip the story branches into the backstories for each of three protagonists. The backstories, a significant part of the novel takes the reader to Guatemala, Chile and Brazil. Ultimately, a charming unexpected love story develops between Richard and Lucia, who both had given up on ever finding love again.


REVIEW
ISABEL ALLENDE has artfully woven a lyrical novel running the gamut of emotions. This spellbinding novel creatively blends humor, tragedy, depression and love. It takes us places we have never been and shows us things we have never seen. The backstories for each of the three protagonists are tragic, yet here they are in New York trudging though the snow and helping a stranger. The novel is informative and revealing, and at the same time gives us hope, that after the worst thing that could ever happen to you happens, good may ultimately follow, in the most unexpected circumstances.

Lucia’s character was adorable and steals the show, she is feisty and full spunk. She sums up this amazing story when she tells Richard, “Enough wallowing in the sorrows of the past. The only cure for so much misfortune is love.” Richard, on the other hand, adds much levity to the story by his eccentricities and his stomach problems. Evelyn, is in a word, resilient. She has been through more than we can imagine and she still manages to show care and compassion for others. All three diverse characters uniquely come together to form the perfect ensemble in a most relevant book.

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”
- Albert Camus

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Natural Justice Realized

Great narration and a very interesting weaving and forward telling of this story. Isabel Allende is expert and crafting magical tales; this one however, comes up a bit short. The end felt hurried and wrapped up too easily.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Another great one by Allende!

Isabel Allende NEVER disappoints! I loved all the characters but especially Evelyn. I experienced a great sadness with Richard, Lucia, and Evelyn’s life stories. Beautifully written!

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

beautifully written page turner

I could not put it down. It is perfect for a cold winter's day. And should be read by all those who unfairly approve of Trump's wall.

8 of 12 people found this review helpful

Moving portrait of illegal immigration

Would you leave everything and everyone you had ever known to save your life? The risks of illegal immigration are revealed in stark light in this novel of life in oppressed Guatemala, Canada and the US. The title is an apt summary of the strength of hope in the midst of life threatening conditions. Some of which are self imposed, others the results of evil forces. A stellar portrait of the forces which cause humans to suffer and be reborn through acceptance and love.

Excellent

A great story that fits the time. It helps the reader to better understand the complexity of migrants to safety and a better life. I will certainly recommend it.