Isabelle Allende's novel, Island Beneath the Sea, is a timeless tale about the nature of power and how even the most powerless of people — a fictional 18th Century African slave woman named Zarité or even me or you — can become powerful in unexpected ways.
Power is explored in many of its different manifestations. The power of money. The power of violence. The power of social status. The power of popular opinion. The power of appearance. The power of addiction. The power of optimism. And most importantly, the power of love.
Many of the characters I see symbolizing a type of power:
Toulouse Valmorain - Power of money;
Prosper Cambray - Power of violence;
Hortense Guizot - Power of social status;
Violette Boisier - Power of appearance;
Maurice - Power of optimism;
Zarité - Power of love.
Island Beneath the Sea is a historical novel set in the Caribbean and New Orleans against the backdrop of 18th Century world changes such as the US war of Independence, the French Revolution and the massive slave revolt that turned Santo Domingo into the country of Haiti.
During the first part of the book, I felt a mixture of emotions. The story of slavery and the excesses of the slave owners repulsed me. Yet, at the same time the story drew me in with the complex humanity that Isabel Allende finds in each of her characters. Just like in life, everyone thinks he or she is the good guy.
Isabel has said, "With relatives like mine I don't need to use my imagination, they alone provide all the material I need for my novels . . . . Many of my relatives have been the models for the characters in my books, like my grandparents who became Esteban Trueba and Clara del Valle in The House of the Spirits."
Writing characters inspired by people and experiences in ones own life follows the traditional dictum to "write what you know." Let's pause to look at another great writer — Ernest Hemingway. Shrapnel hit Hemingway's knee in World War One. He knew what that feels like. So, when his characters were wounded in war, they were often wounded in the same way as Hemingway. He could truthfully write, “I knew I was hit and leaned over and put my hand on my knee. My knee wasn’t there. My hand went in and my knee was down on my shin.”
Article comments
1 - Paul Barnett
After reading Lynette Yetter's review of Isabel Allende's "Island Beneath the Sun" I was left with the desire to learn more not only about what happens to the characters in Ms. Allende's novel but of the author herself.
What is intriguing is the idea of how one person can decided to stand up and challenge the status quo, deciding to end a generational cycle of rage.
As Ms. Yetter writes, the main character is "convinced that equality can be achieved in the here and the now."
What powerful lesson in any age.
2 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you, Paul, for taking the time to read this review and posting your thoughtful comments.
I hope you do read the story, and also learn more about Isabel Allende. The more I learn about her, the more I admire her.
3 - Bruce Mitchell
Thank you for bringing this new book to my attention. I have long been a fan of Isabel Allende and have read most of her books yet somehow missed this latest.
Her depictions of societal and individual exercise of power and of the dynamics of power in relationships is fascinating. Everyone thinks they're the good guy indeed. I wonder if that is really universally true. Does evil never see itself as such? It is a concept to ponder.
I've wondered all my life why some people have such a strong need to dominate, control or crush others. It cannot all be explained away by the idea that there's never enough to go around, that in order for some to prosper and live well, others must suffer do without â€" which seems to me a rather self-justifying attitude toward life.
Isabel Allende addresses such issues and more, much more, in her novels, which are also immensely enjoyable reads. Thank you, Lynette, for your review and for bringing this book to my attention. You've prompted me to go right out and get it, pronto.
4 - Tantra Bensko
I'm sure she's glad you had that reaction, to be able to sit with the complexity of how people who do bad things feel justified, to read the life of a slave, and come out inspired, and calm, empowered. Thanks for reviewing, Lynette. Keep it up!
5 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
@Bruce - Enjoy reading "Island Beneath the Sea"
6 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Tantra, thank you for taking the time from your writing to read this review and for your articulate feedback. Yes, I will keep it up!
7 - chris delaney
Thanks Lynette. A brilliant article. I want to get this book.I love Isabel Allende.
8 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you, Chris. I love Isabel Allende, too. Enjoy reading this latest book of hers!
9 - elsa
gracias Lynette,
ahora tengo la novela en mis manos
para comenzar a leerla,
abrazos de mar,
elsita
10 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
De nada, Elsa. Que le vaya bien en esta jornada en el mundo de la gran Isabel Allende.