Title: Magical realism done badly
Product review: Allende's book covers often gave me the impression that they were full of syrupy, sepia-toned impressions of Latin American life. I finally decided to read her when I found this book on bargain, though, and I can't say I my first impression was wrong. Unlike Marquez or Rushdie, she seems to insert elements of fantasy into her work just to be cute and fey. Her characters seem other-worldly in their simplicity. And the Latin America that her characters inhabit is a sanitized Eden a la "Like Water for Chocolate" rather than a complex, modern society a la "Amores Perros." If you like fairy tales for adults or if you care for sensual writing, you might like this. Otherwise stay away.
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