O lungă petală de mare

Víctor Dalmau is a doctor. Roser Bruguera is a pianist. They flee Franco’s forces in Spain. Chile gives them a warm welcome. They build new lives there. Then a coup leads to President Salvador Allende’s death. They must leave again. They draw on hope learned in their youth.

Isabel Allende’s novel links their lives to real events. These include a sea voyage in August 1939. Pablo Neruda arranged for the Winnipeg to leave Bordeaux. It took more than 2,000 Spanish refugees to Valparaiso. The tale spans two wars and a military coup. It looks at exile and the sense of self. It explores being alone, love, and the chance of rescue. It puts human bonds ahead of politics. It also stresses how people help and accept each other.

Allende drew on her own life in exile. She also spoke with survivors of the voyage. This edition forms part of a series of her work. Cornelia Rădulescu translated the text from Spanish. She also supplied notes.