Each new book by Isabel Allende is a literary event and (Vintage Español) is no exception. The novel tells the story of Maya, a 19-year-old teenager from the U.S. who falls into drugs, alcohol and must flee the country to avoid those who seek to kill her and in the process discovers a family secret. The plot moves between the U.S. and the island of Chiloe, in southern Chile. In this new novel Isabel Allende leaves the past to tell a contemporary story. We spoke with her by phone from her home in San Francisco.

    Tell us how “El cuaderno de Maya” comes about

    It’s very different to what I had been writing recently…. I have been writing historical novels, I wrote memoirs. One day my grandchildren asked me “when will you write something that interests us?” We began discussing the possibility of a contemporary novel with suspense. About the life young people lead. But it is not a novel for young people, rather it is an adult novel, it has a lot of violence, sex, drugs … I do not think that schools will recommend it, nor their parents. (Laughs)

    The novel deals with a lot of issues facing young people.

    Yes. The part about the drugs stem from the terrible experience we had with Willie’s children (Willie Gordon, writer and husband of Isabel Allende). His biological children were all addicted.I had to witness up close the whole process of drugs from the beginning, rehabilitation, prison, living on the street, death, and the very few who save themselves.

    You traveled to Chiloe…

    I had been to Chiloe many times because it is a fascinating place; I have friends who live there. I especially went for the novel, I needed to find the island, although it is not mentioned in the book, I wanted to make sure that there was such a place. I traveled throughout Chiloe with a guide to learn about the history, the missions of the Jesuits, and the churches. This trip helped me a great deal because I found the island I was looking for and it also helped me understand in greater detail the food, customs, and mythology.

    How is Chiloe?

    Chiloe is located well south of Chile. Mythology there is inevitable, though no one admits that they believe in witches. There is enchantment, is the whole culture of healing plants.

    Chiloe’s mythology is very present and unlike any other I know. First, is pretty horrific, so cruel and terrible, and there are very few characters who are saved. It is unique in the world; I do not know where it came from. It fascinated me from the beginning.

    Isabel Allende, Chilean, is the Ibero-American writer most read worldwide with more than 51 million books sold and is the only one who remained for more than one year on The New York Times bestsellers list. Beyond numbers, it could be said that she is the favorite among the public. Forbes magazine recently named her as one of the 10 most influential female writers in the world.

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