What would you do if you had to leave your country forever and start over on another continent? This is the question posed by Isabel Allendes novel A Long Petal of the Sea, a storied saga that spans decades and crosses borders.

The story begins in Spain in the 1930s, where the civil war has left a trail of death and destruction. Roser, a young pregnant widow, and Víctor, an army doctor and brother of her late husband, are forced to flee to France along with thousands of refugees. There they learn that the poet Pablo Neruda has chartered a ship, the Winnipeg, to take some of them to Chile, the long petal of sea and wine and snow. In order to board, Roser and Víctor have to get married despite not loving each other.

Thus begins their personal odyssey, which will lead them to live in an unknown country and face the trials and joys of life in exile. Over the years, they will keep hoping to return to Spain, but they will also realize that home may be closer than they thought.

A Long Petal of the Sea is a masterful novel about hope, exile and a sense of belonging. Isabel Allende shows us her talent for telling stories that move and inspire us. If you like historical novels, love stories, and unforgettable characters, dont miss this book.