The Soul of a Woman is Isabel Allende's reflection on her philosophy for living. Now in her eighties, the niece of Chilean political leader Salvador Allende has survived physical, emotional and political trauma. As a political refugee and immigrant to the United States who also is an acclaimed novelist and philanthropist, her opinions on immigration need to be heard and weighed carefully, as do her words on the plight of women in patriarchal cultures. Some of her statements about men reinforce negative stereotypes that are not always true and her observation of abuses by religious leaders has darkened her view of God, in my opinion unfairly. One should not blame God when others distort the divine message or act cruelly in their passion to obey. Despite these positions, I admire her perseverance and enthusiasm for living. I applaud her campaign for equality.
