My Name Is Emilia del Valle

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this “stunning” (People), “riveting” (Entertainment Weekly) historical novel, a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself.

“All of Allende’s books, My Name Is Emilia del Valle included, have the epic feel of a major Hollywood film.”—Associated Press

In San Francisco in 1866, an Irish nun, abandoned following a torrid relationship with a Chilean aristocrat, gives birth to a daughter named Emilia del Valle. Raised by a loving stepfather, Emilia grows into an independent thinker and a self-sufficient young woman.

To pursue her passion for writing, she is willing to defy societal norms. At the age of seventeen, she begins to publish pulp fiction using a man’s pen name. When these fictional worlds can no longer satisfy her sense of adventure, she turns to journalism, convincing an editor at The Daily Examiner to hire her. There she is paired with another talented reporter, Eric Whelan.

As she proves herself, her restlessness returns, until an opportunity arises to cover a brewing civil war in Chile. She seizes it, as does Eric, and while there, she meets her estranged father and delves into the violent confrontation in the country where her roots lie. As she and Eric discover love, the war escalates and Emilia finds herself in extreme danger, fearing for her life and questioning her identity and her destiny.

A riveting tale of self-discovery and love from one of the most masterful storytellers of our time, My Name Is Emilia del Valle introduces a character who will never let hold of your heart.

“Stunning.”—PEOPLE

“Riveting.”—Entertainment Weekly

“A deeply researched historical adventure, excavating both romantic and journalistic exploits with verve and passion . . . The upheaval that Emilia del Valle recounts in 1891 is our clarion call in 2025.”—The Washington Post

“Bestselling author Isabel Allende has crafted yet another spellbinding narrative in My Name Is Emilia del Valle, a historical novel about self-discovery, ambition, and destiny.”—Harper’s Bazaar

“Isabel Allende never fails to deliver on the sweeping and spellbinding front. Her latest historical novel is about an ambitious young aspiring writer who goes after her dreams—much like Allende herself did.”—Today

“Thrilling and revelatory . . . Allende’s writing is as lush as ever . . . The author’s legions of fans will love this.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“All of Allende’s books . . . have the epic feel of a major Hollywood film.”—Associated Press

“Moving.”—Booklist

“A swashbuckling tale of the life and adventures of a young woman born in San Francisco in the 1860s. Emilia’s story is exciting, empowering, and inherently feminist.”—Shelf Awareness

“An action-packed, brightly detailed historical novel.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Emilia del Valle dares to forge her own path and break the rules set for women, and in doing so finds herself on a dangerous journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she believes to be true.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women

“A captivating novel of love and war from one of our most revered storytellers.”—Kate Morton, author of Homecoming

“Isabel Allende is one of the great storytellers of our time. Her books are multilayered, deeply magical, and unputdownable—and they always touch the heart. They’re quite simply beautiful. My Name is Emilia del Valle is a spellbinding masterpiece. I really loved it.”—Santa Montefiore, author of The Girl in the Castle

“Anyone who is a fan of historical fiction should look no further. . . . If you have ever read a Kristin Hannah book or think you might enjoy historical fiction, Allende is here for you.”—Her Campus

“In this spellbinding historical novel . . . a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself.”—The Nerd Daily

“With her signature lyrical prose, Allende explores themes of love, self-discovery, and resilience, crafting an emotional tapestry that will captivate readers.”—AL DÍA

Isabel Allende, born in Peru and raised in Chile, is a novelist, feminist, and philanthropist. She is one of the most widely read authors in the world, having sold more than eighty million copies of her books across forty-two languages. She is the author of many bestselling and critically acclaimed books, including The Wind Knows My Name, Violeta, A Long Petal of the Sea, The House of the Spirits, Of Love and Shadows, Eva Luna, and Paula. In addition to her work as a writer, Allende devotes much of her time to human rights causes. She has received fifteen honorary doctorates, has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame, and received the PEN Center USA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, and in 2018, she received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation. Allende lives in California with her husband and dogs.

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