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The Japanese Lover

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The Japanese Lover

By: Isabel Allende
Narrated by: Joanna Gleason
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From New York Times bestselling author Isabel Allende, a “poignant, powerful” (Boston Globe) love story and multigenerational epic that stretches from San Francisco in the present-day to Poland and the United States during World War II.

In 1939, as Poland falls under the shadow of the Nazis, young Alma Belasco’s parents send her away to live in safety with an aunt and uncle in their opulent mansion in San Francisco. There, as the rest of the world goes to war, she encounters Ichimei Fukuda, the quiet and gentle son of the family’s Japanese gardener.

Unnoticed by those around them, a tender love affair begins to blossom. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the two are cruelly pulled apart as Ichimei and his family—like thousands of other Japanese Americans—are declared enemies and forcibly relocated to internment camps run by the United States government. Throughout their lifetimes, Alma and Ichimei reunite again and again, but theirs is a love that they are forever forced to hide from the world.

Decades later, Alma is nearing the end of her long and eventful life. Irina Bazili, a care worker struggling to come to terms with her own troubled past, meets the elderly woman and her grandson, Seth, at San Francisco’s charmingly eccentric Lark House nursing home. As Irina and Seth forge a friendship, they become intrigued by a series of mysterious gifts and letters sent to Alma, eventually learning about Ichimei and this extraordinary secret passion that has endured for nearly seventy years.

Sweeping through time and spanning generations and continents, The Japanese Lover is written with the same keen understanding of her characters that Isabel Allende has been known for since her landmark first novel The House of the Spirits. The Japanese Lover is a “multi-generational epic of fate, war, and enduring love” (Harper’s Bazaar). Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Fiction Emotionally Gripping San Francisco War Japanese Language
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Isabelle Allende is my favorite writer. I believe Ive read everything even her cook book.
This story was very sweet and full of history. The family somehow seemed like my own. The writing draws you in to such an intimate space I felt akin to each and every character.
Everytime I read one of Allendes books theres always some common thread that connects me to the book. My own father died 4 weeks ago. I celebrated his life alone because I live in a separate country from my family. This story melted my heart at times. I adored it. Thanks Isabelle once again.

lovely nastalgic story

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Beautifully written with depth and clarity and celebration of both the simplicity and complexity of life and love community and expectation

A book of history , love and adult complexity

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Allende is a master storyteller. She weaves tales of quirky characters intertwined by love in a poetic and flowing manner. She includes elements of history and humanity with hints of magic and romanticism. This was a beautiful, beautiful love story.

A beautiful love story

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This book was delightful.
Isabel Allende never fails to provide a enjoyable experience.
Her understanding of human nature is amazing, and her ability to express it is rare.
I was spellbound.
Julia Lever

My travel companion

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I loved this. A gentle meander through time, love and so much more. Above all I appreciated the kindness and care in the characters. Recommended.

Absolutely beautiful

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