This is beautifully written, with Allende's signature whimsical and often magical storytelling. However, for a memoir supposedly about her daughter, it was more like Allende's own story - using Paula’s illness as a backdrop to reflect on her own life. 

While still engaging, it leans heavily into self-indulgence, making it less of an intimate portrait of grief and more of an autobiography with a tragic frame. That said, I’m still a big fan of her writing. And despite my criticisms, I still found this to be a compelling read.