the sum of our days by isabel allende

i feel that lately all of my entries start with "i wanted to love this book, but...", and unfortunately the sum of our days is another one i must add to that list. i am a huge fan of isabel allende - her way of transporting her readers into another lifetime is one of the things i adore about her.

this book is a memoir (yes, i have a thing for memoirs - especially memoirs that weave in a story line about the loss of someone dear); this memoir recalls the thirteen years of living that she and her family have done since her daughter paula died.

i was so very excited when i started this book...the lead in was perfect...having just come out of a relationship i had great hopes for, for me her words and life sounded to be heaven, despite the loss and tragedy that lay before...

"By daybreak, finally, the wrath of the storm had ceased, but it was still raining. With the first light at the window, I showered and got dressed, while Willie, wrapped in his jaded sheik dressing gown, went to the kitchen. The smell of freshly ground coffee enveloped me like a caress. Aromatherapy. These everyday routines unite us more than the clamor of passion; when we're apart it is this silent dance we miss most. We each need to feel that the other one is near, always there in that intangible space that is ours alone. A cold dawn, coffee and toast, time to write, a dog that wags her tail, and my lover."

what followed was an uneven telling of life - at times, i found her hard to follow, and found myself skimming because she seemed to go on and on about insignificant things. other times, i felt the ego showing through, and i felt annoyed by that. maybe some serious editing would have been helpful; or maybe my intention in reading and receiving this book was different then the intended message.

i did appreciated her touching on her grief, that came and went during the years. i did appreciate her description that it was always there under the surface, and even with the lightest scratch, could be revealed.

allende is a beautiful writer - it's just unfortunate that the ego took over in this case. the next one i pick up from her will be paula. stay tuned.