Famous author Isabelle Allende wrote The Long Petal Of The Sea. I have read other books by her. This story is historical fiction about dictatorships. Starting out in Spain during the Civil War in the 1930's. After serving in the war as a physician, Victor flees the country with his brother's widow, Roser, who is pregnant. They sail on the SS Winnipeg which was hired by a poet, Pablo Neruda, to take refugees to Chile. To gain entrance on the ship, Victor has to marry Roser. Both of them agree this is an arrangement to get to Chile and not a real marriage. They plan on getting divorced in the future. Victor and Roser and her son thrive in Chile; Victor as a physician and Roser as a pianist and music teacher. In 1973 the United States supported a coup against the leader of Chile (who happens to be the author's godfather). Another dictator takes over and the family has to flee to Venezuela. The story of Victor and Roser demonstrates resilience in the face of adversity over many decades. The story also reminds me of what an easy life I have lived so far. I was sad to come to the end of it.
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