Isabel Allende is a Chilean writer. Allende writes in the magical realism tradition, interweaving her own experiences with the experiences of other women, fusing myth and realism. Allende is known for novels such as The House of the Spirits and City of the Beasts, which have been critical and commercial successes. Allende is considered one of the first successful women novelists in Latin America and has been called "the world's most widely read Spanish-language author." She has lectured and done extensive book tours and has taught literature at several US colleges. She currently resides in California with her husband. Allende adopted U.S. citizenship in 2003.