The Sum of Our Days- Isabel Allende

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-sum-of-our-days-by-isabel-allende-trans-margaret-sayers-peden-801466.html 

https://journalstar.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/the-sum-of-our-days-looks-at-family-affairs/article_316a953d-ac1e-5f63-8bd3-9d6114d09462.html

http://latinamericanaffairs.blogspot.com/2009/09/sum-of-our-days-autobiography-of-isabel.html

 1. Build background knowledge of Isabel Allende : Known for use of magical realism 

https://youtu.be/9RWWJSDUFNM (SHARED)

https://youtu.be/8_w_7442mC0 (On the writing process)

Biography: https://www.biography.com/writer/isabel-allende#:~:text=Isabel%20Allende%20is%20a%20Chilean,more%20than%2067%20million%20copies.

Biography: https://www.notablebiographies.com/A-An/Allende-Isabel.html (SHARED)

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Isabel_Allende

Magic realism:Magic realism (not shared yet)

https://youtu.be/-y_11lmjkgE  (Magial Realism): Not yet shared

2. The book opens with Allende's superstition around January 8th, the day she believes she MUST start a new book. Starting a book on any other day would result in the book's failure. What superstitions do you hold? Do you think there is some significance to starting the novel with a superstition? She seems spiritual, evidenced by her bond with the women (The Sister's of Disorder) and their rituals, her acupuncture, Chinese herbs, etc.  ASKED

3. Writing this memoir to Paula was one part cathartic to Isabel. Has writing or reading ever been cathartic for you?

4. Isabel's husband Willie believes that his family is cursed. What do you make of this claim, especially considering his family history and the ultimate disappearance of his daughter Jennifer? ASKED

5. What does the title "The Sum of Our Days" means to you?

6. Isabel's tribe is a recurrent theme throughout the novel. Why do you think Isabel consistently comes back to the idea of her "tribe"? ASKED

7. Isabel describes having a rock in her stomach. Have you ever had a similar feeling? If so, what do you do to release the tension of the rock in your heart?

8. On an April 2 (a date Isabel stills remembers), her grandson announces with fear that there's a woman with long hair at the top of the stairs. Isabel concludes that it must be Paula. Have you ever had a strange experience in which you saw or heard something that wasn't there? 

9. Letter writing seems to be something that Isabel turns to frequently. Do you still write letters? If so, to who? 

10. Willie tells Isabel that they have loved each other in past lives, but that she's frightened at the idea of Karma and reincarnation. What are your thoughts on Karma and reincarnation?

11. Isabel and Willie come from two different cultures and languages, like many of us here. Was there ever a time in which language and culture made your relationship seem almost impossible? ASKED

12. While in India, one of the women tries to give her female baby to Isabel. Isabel is told it was given to her because it was a girl and no one wants a girl. What do you make of this incident? This incident led to Isabel to begin a foundation that would benefit women and children. How was this healing for Isabel? 

13. Isabel's daughter-in-law calls Isabel while in India to tell her she thinks she is bisexual. Isabel says they need to discuss it in person, and that we're all a little bisexual. Upon her therapist's encouragement, Isabel tells Celia that she must tell Nico, otherwise Isabel will tell her herself. What do you think of Isabel's medling? Was it okay that she gave Celia the ultimatum?