Portrait in Sepia

Author: Isabel Allende
Translator: Ronny Agustinus
Publisher: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Publication Date: February 2012
Pages: 406

"Hidup ini panjang, Aurora. Pada saat ini segalanya terlihat hitam, namun waktu menyembuhkan dan menghapus nyaris semuanya. Tahap ini seperti berjalan membuta dalam terowongan; bagimu kelihatan tidak ada jalan keluar, tapi aku pastikan jalan itu ada. Teruskan, Nak."

A sequel to Isabel Allende's Daughter of Fortune as it's the story of Eliza Sommers' grand-daughter, Aurora del Valle. Aurora suffers a brutal trauma that erases all memories of the first five years of her life. Raised by her ambitious grandmother, Paulina del Valle, Aurora grows up in a privileged environment but it's tormented by horrible nightmares. When she discovers the missing pieces of who she is, she discovers her heritage, her true history and finally she learns and understands about life.

Again Allende conveys a stunning story. She tells about love, desire, tragedy and dark family secrets, all played out against the dramatic background of revolutionary Chile. Allende takes her characters through San Francisco of Gold Rush times through turbulent times in Chile during war and the rise of women's rights.

As usual Allende's historical research is quite excellent. Her story always gives new insights to her readers. This time she focuses more on war and history and love as well. Although Allende seems describing her novel in a non-romantic manner. Still it's an enjoyable and recommendable read.

2 comments:

mei April 11, 2012 at 11:03 AM  

haduh.. antrianku msh panjang bgt utk buku ini... mau daughter of fortune dulu, tapi saat bersamaan udah ngintip2 city of beast jg :)

ini diterjemahkan lg oleh ronny agustinus ternyata.. the house of the spirits jg oleh beliau dan sama sekali gak terasa itu buku terjemahan, malah kita byk belajar style dan kata2 baru yg gak biasa. hebat!

riana April 12, 2012 at 8:47 AM  

@mei: iya terjemahannya bagus, mengalir, karakter tokoh2nya terasa amat hidup, seperti baca 'memoir' sungguhan padahal cuma kisah fiksi:)