Overview

• The novel follows Emilia del Valle, a Californian journalist uncovering political and personal truths during the 1891 Chilean civil war.
• Allende draws parallels between President Balmaceda’s suicide and that of her uncle, Salvador Allende, during the 1973 Chilean coup.
• The book highlights the overlooked contributions of Mapuche cantineras, women who supported soldiers during the war.
• Emilia’s journey intertwines themes of female agency, historical memory, and identity within a richly detailed narrative.
• Allende, a celebrated author, continues her tradition of centering strong women and Latin American history in her storytelling.