Paula by Isabel Allende

The thing is, I did not write a review for every book I have read in the last few years since I began this website. I just realized I hadn't done this one that I read - maybe two years ago - although I really was moved by it. This was recommended by my book guru friend, Polli, a retired English teacher in Guam. It was written as the author, Isabel Allende, was living through her daughter's illness. It started out as a letter to her, to Paula, as she lay in a coma, "so that when you wake up, you will not be so lost." Allende seems to write stream of consciousness, weaving together all the pieces of history that made up their lives to that point. Her life story is pretty incredible, but combine that with the desperation a mother must feel as her child is stricken with a hopeless disease, a powerful memory, and great writing, and you have this compelling book.