Spotlight on “My Name is Emilia del Valle” by Isabel Allende

by LitStack Editor

In the spellbinding historical novel My Name is Emilia del Valle, a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself.

About My Name is Emilia del Valle

In San Francisco in 1866, an Irish nun, abandoned following a torrid relationship with a Chilean aristocrat, gives birth to a daughter named Emilia del Valle. Raised by a loving stepfather, Emilia grows into an independent thinker and a self-sufficient young woman.

To pursue her passion for writing, she is willing to defy societal norms. At the age of seventeen, she begins to publish pulp fiction using a man’s pen name. When these fictional worlds can no longer satisfy her sense of adventure, she turns to journalism, convincing an editor at The Daily Examiner to hire her. There she is paired with another talented reporter, Eric Whelan.

As she proves herself, her restlessness returns, until an opportunity arises to cover a brewing civil war in Chile. She seizes it, as does Eric, and while there, she meets her estranged father and delves into the violent confrontation in the country where her roots lie. As she and Eric discover love, the war escalates and Emilia finds herself in extreme danger, fearing for her life and questioning her identity and her destiny.

A riveting tale of self-discovery and love from one of the most masterful storytellers of our time, My Name Is Emilia del Valle introduces a character who will never let hold of your heart.

Praise for My Name is Emilia del Valle

“Isabel Allende is a literary treasure. Her latest novel is a beautifully written portrait of a woman coming of age and finding her voice. In this tale of love, war, betrayal, and redemption, Allende transports the reader wholeheartedly to the nineteenth century, a time when women’s choices were limited and their ambitions thwarted. Bold and unwilling to be bound by the conventions of the day, Emilia del Valle dares to forge her own path and break the rules set for women, and in doing so finds herself on a dangerous journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she believes to be true.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women

“A captivating novel of love and war from one of our most revered storytellers.”—Kate Morton, author of Homecoming

“Isabel Allende is one of the great storytellers of our time. Her books are multilayered, deeply magical, and unputdownable—and they always touch the heart. They’re quite simply beautiful. My Name is Emilia del Valle is a spellbinding masterpiece. I really loved it.”—Santa Montefiore, author of The Girl in the Castle

“Bestselling author Isabel Allende has crafted yet another spellbinding narrative in My Name Is Emilia del Valle, a historical novel about self-discovery, ambition, and destiny.”—Harper’s Bazaar

“Isabel Allende never fails to deliver on the sweeping and spellbinding front. Her latest historical novel [My Name is Emilia del Valle] is about an ambitious young aspiring writer who goes after her dreams—much like Allende herself did.”—Today

“Anyone who is a fan of historical fiction should look no further. . . . If you have ever read a Kristin Hannah book or think you might enjoy historical fiction, Allende[‘s My Name is Emilia del Valle] is here for you.”—Her Campus

“In this spellbinding historical novel . . . a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself.”—The Nerd Daily

“Isabel Allende’s latest novel follows Emilia del Valle’s transformative journey across continents and through generations. With her signature lyrical prose, Allende explores themes of love, self-discovery, and resilience, crafting an emotional tapestry that will captivate readers.”—AL DÍA

About Isabel Allende, Author of My Name is Emilia del Valle

My Name Is Emilia Del Valle author Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende, born in Peru and raised in Chile, is a novelist, feminist, and philanthropist. She is the author of The Wind Knows My Name, Violeta, A Long Petal of the Sea, The House of the Spirits, Of Love and Shadows, Eva Luna, and Paula

Isabel Allende also devotes much of her time to human rights causes. She has received fifteen honorary doctorates, been inducted into the California Hall of Fame, and received the PEN Center Lifetime Achievement Award and the Anisfield-Wolf Lifetime Achievement Award. 

In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, and in 2018, she received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation. She lives in California with her husband and dogs.

You can connect with Isabel Allende on their website, and on Instagram or Facebook

Source: Publisher
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
ISBN: 9780593975091
Pub date: 05/06/2025

Other LitStack Resources

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My Name Is Emilia Del Valle
My Name Is Emilia Del Valle
LitStack
My Name Is Emilia Del Valle
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My Name Is Emilia Del Valle

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