Isabel Allende

A highly acclaimed author, Isabel Allende has published 21 books that have sold 65 million copies in 35 languages. She is a Chilean-American novelist who writes in the "magic realism" tradition, is considered one of the first successful women novelists in Latin America. She has written novels based in part on her own experiences, often focusing on the experiences of women, weaving myth and realism together. She has lectured and done extensive book tours and has taught literature at several US colleges. 

“We don't even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.”
-Isabel Allende

In 1996, following the death of her daughter, Paula, Allende established a charitable foundation in her honor. The foundation has awarded grants to more than one hundred nonprofits worldwide, delivering life-changing care to hundreds of thousands of women and girls. 

In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Allende 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. She currently resides in California.

 

Allende’s book will be available for purchase from MSU’s Bookstore. A book signing will take place after the event.

This event is co-sponsored by the President’s Office and Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

For questions or accommodations, please contact James Tobin at [email protected].

 



Allende is the second speaker in the President's Crossing Boundaries Speaker Series.  In August, the series will feature Tommy Orange, an acclaimed Cheyenne and Arapaho author whose novels chronicle contemporary Native American life. These events are free and open to the public. Visit the President's Crossing Boundaries Speakers Series for more information.