Isabel Allende writes with an engaging realism about a wide variety of different themes. Some readers have described one of her most famous books, The House of the Spirits, as a literary “kitchen sink” because it discusses almost every possible theme in literature. These are some of the themes that prevail in her novels:

Love-Whether it is sincere, selfless devotion or passionate, addictive love, Allende portrays rich and often dramatic relationships between her memorable characters. She often explores sympathetically issues such as jealousy, dependence, infidelity and social class difference. These relationships are conveyed free from the melodramatic distinction of good and evil, since Allende depicts both her characters and their relationships neither good or evil, but simply human. The reader is able to recognize his own flaws in both characters, which creates a greater sense of empathy and makes her writing more intimate and engaging. As for sex, Allende sometimes includes violent or scandalous episodes, such as rape, or prostitution, but the scenes of passionate love between her main characters are exquisitely romantic. She does not need to be overly descriptive and graphic, yet she is able to evoke very sensuous and tender scenes.

Politics- An omnipresent theme in her novels is politics. She was deeply affected by the Chilean dictatorship, and often criticizes authoritarian right-wing systems. She subtly idealizes revolutionary characters, highlighting their romantic aura and faithful principles. Allende also highlights social structure and depicts the clash between classes. Her novels denounce injustices such as lack of opportunities and poverty. Her style is very subtle, to the point where it almost appears objective. She exposes situations vividly and provokes a reaction in the reader, in a way that she does not tell the reader it is unjust but it makes him feel it.

Immigration- Most of Allende’s novels include emigration, such as The House of the Spirits and Daughter of Fortune, where the main characters must leave their country of origin to a foreign, unknown country. Allende explores racism and the feeling of inadequacy experienced by foreigners. Her writings encourage empathy and tolerance with a subtle yet effective style.

Magical Realism- In Isabel Allende’s novels, there is always a strong sense of the supernatural. Spiritual characters, special abilities and paranormal events all make her writing very entertaining. The magic in her stories make her novels thrilling and engaging.