From NPR Music, this is Alt Latino. I'm Felix Contreras. As we continue our run of special programs in honor of Latino Heritage Month, this week we're going to hear from two Latina

literary icons. Isabella Allende and Sandra Cisneros loom large over the literary landscape.

In fact, their respective careers have a lot of parallels. They both published their first novels

around the same time. Isabella Allende's House of Spirits was published here in the United States in

1982 and Sandra Cisneros published House on Mango Street in 1983. They are both outspoken about

women's rights and social justice issues and they are both adamant about writing what they know.

In Isabella Allende's case, it's about life and love and death and being an immigrant here in the U.S. from her native Chile.

While Sandra Cisnetto's books touch on many of the same themes, but they are written from the perspective of a native of Chicago and all the trappings of a bicultural life.

Yet, their writing styles are distinct. Their subject matters don't often have much in common and Isabella Allende writes in Spanish

then has her novels translated to English and many other languages, while Sandra Cisneros

is the other way around.

Her books have been translated into Spanish and other languages.

What they do have in common is a vast fan base and most likely there are a lot of folks who claim both as their favorites.

Now, the reason for the interviews are new books.

Sandra Cisneros has just published a new work of fiction.

It's called Martita I Remember, or Martita Ter Recurdo.

And Isabella Allende has recently published her memoirs again,

and it's called The Soul of a Woman, and she also has new fiction coming at the start of

2022 that will be called Violetta. Long rambling conversations with writers. What's not to like about that?

First up, Isabel Allende. Okay, one quick note before we jump into this.

This conversation is part of a collaboration between NPR and the Library of Congress National Book Festival.

For more information about the festival, visit LOC.gov slash Bookfest.

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