Isabel Allende, the renowned Chilean-American author, has been awarded the prestigious €1 million Premio Planeta for her sequel to 'The House of the Spirits,' titled 'La hora antes del alba.' Entering the competition under the pseudonym Luz Ventura, Allende's new work revisits familiar characters and addresses themes of political oppression, reflecting on contemporary issues of extremism and authoritarianism.
Allende, who has sold over 80 million books globally, expressed her surprise and joy at winning, likening the experience to receiving a Nobel Prize. The award highlights the ongoing relevance of her work in today's political climate and marks a significant moment for the Planeta publishing group, which now has a high-profile author in its roster.