In the Midst of Winter
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Isabel Allende |
| Products | Fiction book |
In the Midst of Winter () is a 2017 work of fiction authored by Chilean writer Isabel Allende. Marking her twenty-third publication, this novel further establishes her status as a distinguished figure in magical realism. Allende is celebrated as a leading Latin-American female novelist whose literature promotes feminist rights and critiques the patriarchy prevalent in Latin America. The narrative of In the Midst of Winter explores themes of political oppression, endurance, and the quest for love.
Set against the backdrop of a snowstorm in Brooklyn, New York City, the story follows a university professor who unintentionally collides with the vehicle of an undocumented young Guatemalan woman. When she seeks refuge at his residence, the professor teams up with his tenant—an academic from Chile. This unexpected trio embarks on a journey that uncovers hidden truths and fosters emotional connections.
Plot synopsis
Amid Brooklyn’s most severe snowstorm, University professor Richard Bowmaster accidentally strikes Evelyn Ortega’s car, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala. What initially appears to be a minor accident intensifies when Evelyn arrives at Richard’s home requesting assistance. Unsure how to proceed, Richard calls upon his tenant, Chilean scholar Lucia Maraz. Together, they learn that Evelyn discovered a deceased woman inside her employer’s car trunk. United by circumstance, they set off on a road trip that gradually exposes their intertwined histories.
Evelyn wrestles with the aftermath of surviving gang-related violence that claimed her brothers’ lives, while Lucia faces the dilemma of returning to politically unstable Chile. Richard confronts emotional turmoil stemming from personal losses connected to his marriage with a Brazilian woman. Over time, Evelyn begins to heal from her trauma, and Richard and Lucia develop a deepening bond. The novel concludes with Richard reflecting on Albert Camus’s words: In the midst of winter, I finally found there was within me an invincible summer.
Reception
In the Midst of Winter achieved status as a New York Times bestseller. Critical feedback was largely favorable, although some reviewers noted its ambitious narrative scope. The Financial Times remarked that the novel "almost bends under the weight of history but never breaks." Meanwhile, The Washington Post highlighted the contrast between the romantic comedy elements and the profound historical burdens carried by its characters.