Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende

A few of the book club members had said they too have journaled in years past if not currently.  Many said they had done this in their youth with the diary that has a lock and key.  Many journal for therapeutic reasons which we felt Maya needed.  In the beginning of the story, Maya writes "She handed me a hundred-page notebook so I could keep a diary, as I did from the age of eight until I was fifteen, when my life went off the rails.  'You're going to have time to get bored, Maya.  Take advantage of it to write down the monumental stupidities you're committed, see if you can come to grips with them' she said {her grandmother Nini said}.  Several of my diaries are still in existence, sealed with industrial-strength adhesive tape.  My grandfather kept them under lock and key in his desk for years, and now my Nini has them in a shoebox under her bed.  This will be notebook number nine.  My Nini believes they'll be of use to me when I get psychoanalyzed, because they contain the keys to untie the knots of my personality; but if she'd read them, she'd know they contain a huge pile of tales tall enough to outfox Freud himself."

Maya's story has some tall tales but in this novel they are intriguing and at times, may be what some people really do go through with their life story.  She is a survivor and the journey she took through this notebook, her notebook, proves that she is able to grow by telling her story.

Eleven people attended the discussion of the book and two shared they were not big fans of the book.  "Half way through it was too dark and frustrating" one said, but others said it was interesting to learn about Chile, it's country and the people.  They enjoyed how the author, Isabel Allende,"brings in so much politics, magic realist, religion, current events and so many other facets."  "Flashbacks in the story were easy to follow, it was natural to hear story."

One person who wasn't sold on the book said that she abandoned reading it as it didn't feel authentic.  It didn't sound like a voice of a teenager, felt older.  This person, did apprediate "Popo" as a redeeming character.

Reading a book from Berkley area was what one person liked as she grew up in Hayward, close by.  She said she knew of a house like Nini's and Popo's.  She said the book had that "curiosity and able to dive back into the book; it was a good read for me."  Someone found it curious and learned a lot of the politics from those years.  Humorous at the end they said.  It was a coming of the age book, dealing with loss and "who do I belong to, friends or family."

There were interesting characters in the book, including Brandon Leman, who she met in Vegas.  "He used her, but protected her."  Freddie "helped look out for her, like a brother.  She cared about him and he cared for her."  Daniel "Didn't like him, used her." another person wondered if they are going to get back together?  Will there be a sequel?

It was a mystery of how Manuel fit into the situation with Nini in her earlier years.  Some of us thought there might be some previous connection.  It was also a mystery about Officer Arana.  There were twists and turns in the story that kept you intrigued and wanting to find out how it ended.

From a 19 year old who struggles to survive we see emergence as she tries to find her way in the world.  Along the journey Allende brings characters that help her, each with their own story and path.  From the Chiloe, secluded island, to Chile to California, our journey in this book takes us to a place where we see healing and empowerment.

One member of our Book Club shared a video of Isabel Allende speaking at Ted Talks.  Click here for that message.