The Soul of a Woman summary

As Isabel grew older, Panchita worried that her daughter’s feminist ideals would get her into trouble –⁠ specifically, that they’d prevent her from finding a husband. In Chile, where Isabel grew up, women were said to become “spinsters” at around age 25 if they didn’t have a partner.

It turned out that Panchita didn’t need to worry. At age 20, Isabel fell in love with an engineering student named Miguel. In spite of her feminist values and beliefs, Isabel feared spinsterhood, and she agreed to marry him.

In 1967, Isabel got a job as a journalist at a Chilean feminist magazine called Paula. By this point, she was doing her best to fulfill her duties as both a wife and mother. But on the inside, she was dying of boredom. She gave herself endless tasks, chores, and housework just to avoid having to really think about where her life was headed.

When she began writing for Paula magazine, all of that changed. Isabel had suddenly found her purpose: to express her feminist beliefs through writing. Her job made her feel comfortable in her own skin for the first time. 

When Isabel wakes up in the morning, she immediately hops in the shower. Afterward, she applies makeup and dons clothes that conceal and disguise various parts of her body. She completes this ritual even when she has nowhere to go except into her attic to write.

Isabel’s fussing over her appearance does seem at odds with her feminist values. Why the daily primping and preening? It’s simple: she enjoys the ritual of combining different fabrics, colors, and makeup. 

Before turning 70, Isabel didn't feel any older than she did at 40 or 50. Multitasking was no big deal. There were no such things as lazy Sundays, siestas, or lingering in bed. She would hop out of bed – with at least some semblance of grace – totally ready to start the day. 

Now, things are considerably different. Instead of jumping out of bed, Isabel crawls. Her only obligation is to write, but she takes awhile to get started and can only do it for four or five hours. With coffee and force of will, she powers through.

In the ancient city of Baghdad, a thief was caught stealing. He was brought in front of the caliph –⁠ a Muslim king –⁠ to be punished by having his hands cut off. But, lucky for him, the caliph was in a good mood that day and made the thief an offer instead. He could go free if he answered this riddle: “Tell me what women want.” 

The thief pondered the question for a while until finally answering: “Women want to be heard. Ask them what they want and they will tell you.” 

The year was 1995, and Isabel was visiting India with her second husband, Willie, and her friend Tabra. Their car bumped and shuddered down a rural road. But eventually, the strain became too much for the car’s poor engine, and it overheated.

While waiting for the car to cool down, Isabel and Tabra spotted a group of women and their children playing under the shade of a nearby tree. They meandered over and played with the kids for a while, until one of the women handed Isabel a strange pile of rags. Pushing aside the fabric, she was shocked to see a newborn baby.