Portrait in Sepia is both a magnificent historical novel set at the end of the nineteenth century in Chile and a marvellous family saga peopled by characters from "daughter of fortune" and "the house of spirits", two of Allende's most celebrated novels.
...so it says on the cover...

well this book kept me going all weekend including the wee hours of the morning, i just couldn't put it down.
with the exquisite and detailed characterization it is easy to get so engrossed in this book, the plot is gripping and sustains till the very end.
passionate and erotic passages spiced up the whole saga!

going to dolphin-au as part of a relay.

Thanks Makita21, for this and the whole bag of surprises! I am looking forward to reading this, but can't promise I will read it anytime soon.

Finally got on to this book. I love all Allende books and this was no exception. She makes the characters come so much alive, it is as if they are part of the family.
I am tempted to keep this book for my permanent collection, as I will probably want to read it again, but I'll send it along to another bookcrosser.

received in the Southern Cross book exchange

thanks very much dolphin-au :o)

I've not yet read any Isabel Allende but this sounds promising...

too many books, not enough reading. time to get some moving..