The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende

REVIEW: THE WIND KNOWS MY NAME

I feel a little ashamed of the fact that I’ve never read any @allendeisabel before. So, I was super excited to start with this one, her brand new novel, The Wind Knows My Name.

Opening in Vienna in 1938 at the time of Kristallnacht, the sense of dread Allende creates surrounding the Adler family is palpable. The Nazis are about to destroy everything and there seems to be no hope for any of them. That is, until they learn of the Kindertransport which could possibly save their young son Samuel and take him to England. He could have a life, a future — while theirs looks like it it will be completely denied.

The book then shifts to the story of Leticia, who entered the USA on her father’s back in 1982, after the El Mozote massacre in El Salvador. Next, we will learn of Anita, in 2019, who has been torn apart from her mother. Selena, a social worker, is going to do everything in her power to find her. Soon, she enlists the help of powerhouse lawyer, Frank — the two, so different but brought together by a heartbreaking and life changing cause.

Allende is a gifted writer and she weaves the lives of her characters together with great skill. These seemingly separate stories are connected magically to compound the themes of the immigrant experience and what home truly means. An important and thought provoking novel that will educate as well as absorb you. I highly recommend it ~ S