Maya’s Notebook

The author of ‘The House of the Spirits’ returns with a gritty yet transcendent tale of teenage addiction.

The author of ‘The House of the Spirits’ returns with a gritty yet transcendent tale of teenage addiction.

Abandoned by her parents as a baby, Maya has been brought up by her tough grandmother Nini and her gentle grandfather Popo. But at school, the teenage Maya finds herself drawn towards the wrong crowd. Before she knows what’s happened, Maya’s life has turned into one of drug addiction and crime.

Things go from bad to worse as Maya disappears into the criminal underworld. To save her from her old associates, Nini sends Maya to a remote island off the coast of Chile.

Safe amongst her new neighbours, Maya feels compelled to write her story and slowly she begins to heal. But can she learn to live with her scars, and will her past ever catch up with her?

‘Another impressive feat with a dazzling cast and bold array of landscapes, woven together with the storytelling prowess that is Allende’s trademark.’ Daily Telegraph, 4 stars

‘Isabel Allende is a mistress storyteller… [her] capacity to surprise keeps her readers page-turning, as do her descriptions of character and place’ Independent

‘Maya is the lightest of narrative guises: wise beyond her 19 years but convincingly coltish.’ Guardian

‘An exciting read, well paced.’ Daily Express

Born in Peru and raised in Chile, Isabel Allende is the author of eighteen books, including ‘Inès of My Soul’, ‘Daughter of Fortune’, and ‘Portrait in Sepia’. She has also written a collection of stories, four memoirs, and a trilogy of children''s novels. Her books have been translated into more than twenty-seven languages and have become bestsellers across four continents. In 2004 she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Isabel Allende lives in California.

• Maya’s Notebook is a stylistic departure for Isabel Allende – a realistic portrayal of a teenager’s addiction and search for salvation.

• Allende’s popularity as an author just keeps growing, book on book – she has sold over 15 million novels worldwide and is one of the top international bestselling authors.

• City of Beasts, Allende’s first Young Adult novel, has sold over 200,000 copies worldwide and 120,000 copies in the UK alone. Maya’s Notebook has the potential to appeal to the same audience.

• The astoundingly successful Allende is always guaranteed widespread review coverage in both national and regional press and magazines.

Competition: The Valley Of Amazement. Paulo Coelho;Amy Tan;