What has working on Isabel Allende’s writing meant to you?
I mention her, in particular, because recently you’ve translated not only her fiction but work of hers that is deeply and directly personal, like Paula and Aphrodite, not to mention The Stories of Eva Luna, which I think stands toe to toe with Chekhov. MSP: Working with Isabel Allende has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I love her writing, that lyric, oral quality, and I love the woman. She is fun, funny, compassionate, and extremely talented. There is a kind of bond there—from my point of view. I remember the first time I read her. I was in Oaxaca, waiting to catch a plane to Mexico City-Dallas-St. Louis. The book was her Casa de los esp’ritus, and as the plane arrived I had reached the section about the earthquake. We flew into Mexico City shortly after the big earthquake there, in 1985. My involvement with her and her work has been a lot like that. I’m convinced, by the way, that she has ESP. JH: Let’s shift time-frames a moment. Do you remember a time that yo
