Translation of: La casa de los espâiritus.

The novel is described as a compilation of diary entries by main character Clara del Valle Trueba, with added testimonies by Alba Trueba and Esteban Trueba, who is the main narrator. Esteban Trueba is a main character who attempts to mend his broken heart by devoting his life to uplifting his family hacienda, Las Tres Marías. He quickly earns respect from the fearful peasants and turns Tres Marías into a model for every other hacienda in the region. After his mother's death, Esteban decides to fulfill his mother's dying wish: to marry and have legitimate children. He goes to the del Valle family to ask for Clara's hand. Clara and her parents accept Esteban's proposal and Clara's sister-in-law Férula comes to live with the newly weds in their mansion. Turmoil within the family and in Chilean politics ensues.