Isabel Allende

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 Lucía 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  (Atria Books, USA) has been included on the November 2017 Indie Next List (USA) – “Great Reads from Booksellers You Trust”

"Isabel Allende brings her poetic and compassionate eye to In the Midst of Winter, a love story about a human rights scholar and an undocumented Guatemalan immigrant. The novel, which takes place in present-day Brooklyn and Guatemala as well as the 1970s Chile and Brazil, is being compared with her masterpiece The House of the Spirits." CBS' WATCH! Magazine

“This winter's tale has something to melt each frozen heart.” Kirkus Reviews

“Filled with Allende’s signature lyricism and ingenious plotting, this book delves wonderfully into what it means to respect, protect, and love.” Publishers Weekly

“Allende has a rare and precious gift for simultaneously challenging and entrancing readers by dramatizing with startling intimacy such dire situations as the desperation behind illegal immigration and domestic violence, then reveling, a page later, in spiritual visions or mischievous sexiness or heroic levity.” Booklist

“Readers who love Allende will find much to enjoy. This is a syntactically beautiful story with the twists and turns of a telenovela, and it has warmth at its center. It is a novel that touches some difficult topics: immigration, murder, spiritual belief, divorce and the death of children.” Minneapolis Star Tribune 

“The novel delivers opportunities for the reader to ponder nuanced moral questions involving immigration policies and the administration of natural justice. Humans ignore these issues at their peril, Lucia cautions Richard: “But see how life refuses to leave us in peace? Sooner or later it catches up with us.” Allende reminds us that this can happen in any season of life.” Newsday

"Grief and loss are transformed into a healing friendship in this fantastic novel from Allende... Filled with Allende’s signature lyricism and ingenious plotting, the book delves wonderfully into what it means to respect, protect, and love." PW

“Allende's latest tale is heartfelt and raw... The interactions between the characters is well thought out and deep. Readers will come to love them and experience the heartbreak and joy both of their past, present and future.” RT Book Reviews

“Allende weaves a suspenseful love story, rendering this central trio with generosity, spirit, and passion.” National Book Review