The Sum of Our Days

The Sum of Our Days is Isabel Allende's memoir written as a letter to her deceased daughter Paula. The narrative covers the years following Paula's death in 1992, documenting Allende's life in California with her extended family. Allende chronicles her relationships, career as a writer, and the complex dynamics within her unconventional household. She recounts experiences with her second husband Willie, her son Nicolás, grandchildren, and a rotating cast of relatives and friends who become part of their daily lives. Through a blend of personal reflection and storytelling, Allende examines themes of loss, resilience, and the bonds that hold families together. Her observations about culture, immigration, and intergenerational relationships form a portrait of modern American life through the lens of her Chilean heritage.

Readers value Allende's raw honesty in sharing intimate details about her family dynamics, grief, and relationships. Many connect with her reflections on being a mother, grandmother, and immigrant. Readers appreciated: - Her frank discussion of family challenges - The balance of humor with serious topics - Insights into her writing process - The continuation of her son's story from Paula Common criticisms: - Too much focus on wealth and privilege - Overly detailed descriptions of minor events - Judgmental tone about family members' choices - Less compelling than her other memoirs Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ reviews) "She writes with such immediacy that you feel like you're having coffee with her," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user countered: "The name-dropping and constant mentions of her houses and success became tedious."

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📚 The Sum of Our Days is written as a letter to Paula, Allende's daughter who passed away in 1992, continuing their conversation from her earlier memoir "Paula" 🏡 Allende writes the book each year starting on January 8th, a personal tradition that began with a letter to her dying grandfather on that date in 1981 👥 The memoir reveals how Allende created a close-knit "tribe" in California after leaving Chile, consisting of family members, friends, and their partners who regularly gather for meals and celebrations ✍️ Throughout the book, Allende openly discusses her unusual writing process, including how she consults with her deceased daughter's spirit through meditation before beginning each new work 🌎 While living in Venezuela as an exile from Chile, Allende worked as a school administrator and journalist before publishing her first novel, "The House of the Spirits," which launched her literary career