Paula (novel)
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Isabel Allende |
| Products | Autobiographical novel |
Paula is a 1994 autobiographical work by Isabel Allende, created as an homage to her daughter, Paula Frías Allende, who entered a coma due to porphyria in 1991 and never regained consciousness.
Plot summary
During the period Paula was in a porphyria-induced coma, Isabel Allende composed Paula. Initially meant as a letter to her daughter to describe what she was missing, the narrative combines Paula’s medical journey with introspective accounts of Allende’s own experiences, reflecting motifs present in her first novel, The House of the Spirits. Paula died on December 6, 1992, survived by her spouse Ernesto Diaz and other family members.
Themes and issues
- Through deep introspection, Allende examines her sense of self amid sorrow, unveiling the multifaceted roles she inhabits:
- Written during Paula’s honeymoon and intended for her family’s future reading, Paula’s letter foresees her coma and highlights her mother’s resolve to hold on:
References
- Allende, Isabel - Official page
- Metroactive Arts | Isabel Allende
- Paula by Isabel Allende
- Paula Summary and Study Guide - Isabel Allende
- Isabel Allende on clubcultura.com