Isabel Allende

Rebellious and outspoken, Isabel Allende grew up in an upper middle-class family steeped in conventions. Abandoned by her father at an early age, Allende quickly learned to become independent, vowing not to follow her mother’s example. She was expelled from Catholic school at age six for unruly behavior and despite her mother’s efforts to raise a proper young lady, continued to voice her defiance. At age eleven, when her mother remarried, Allende moved from Chile to Lebanon with her family, an eye-opening experience. Her mother and stepfather decided to send their difficult teenager back to Chile to live with her stern grandfather. By then, her rebelliousness had evolved from tantrums into silence. She describes herself as a good student, avid reader, and steadfast pen pal to her mother. Allende was consumed with the notion of injustice, particularly injustice towards women. Despite her feminism, she...