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The Japanese Lover

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( 88,906 ratings, 9,047 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende explores a multi-generational love story that spans decades and continents. It delves into the complex relationship between Alma Belasco and her Japanese gardener, Ichimei Fukuda, set against the backdrop of World War II and its aftermath. The novel intertwines themes of history, memory, and enduring passion.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate multi-generational love stories intertwined with historical events. It artfully explores themes of memory, loss, and identity against a rich, culturally diverse backdrop.

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The Japanese Lover

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From the internationally bestselling author Isabel Allende comes The Japanese Lover, an exquisitely crafted, multigenerational love story that seamlessly interweaves the past and the present, showcasing the enduring power of human connection against the backdrop of history's most tumultuous events.

In 1939, as Poland falls under the ominous shadow of the Nazis and the world edges towards war, young Alma Belasco's parents make the heartrending decision to send her overseas to safety. Alma is taken in by her aunt and uncle who reside in an opulent mansion in San Francisco, where her new life begins. It is here she meets Ichimei Fukuda, the gentle and artistic son of the family’s Japanese gardener. Amidst the turmoil of impending global conflict, Alma and Ichimei share a blossoming love that defies cultural and socio-economic bounds. However, their tender relationship is soon torn apart by the tragic events following Pearl Harbor, thrusting the two young lovers into a world where their bond must be kept secret.

Several decades later, Alma now resides in Lark House, a quirky, vibrant nursing home, and is nearing the end of her long, storied life. Irina Bazili, a young care worker at Lark House, struggles to come to terms with her own haunted past. She finds solace and curiosity in Alma's intriguing history, documented by a sequence of mysterious letters and gifts that have been sent to Alma over the years. Intrigued by these mementoes, Irina, together with Alma’s devoted grandson Seth, delves into the secrets of Alma's past. They uncover the tale of Alma and Ichimei's clandestine affair, a love that has withstood the test of time and remained concealed for nearly seventy years.

The Japanese Lover explores themes of memory, love, loss, and identity, set against the richly evocative landscapes of wartime Europe, wartime America, and modern-day California. Allende's narrative is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, capturing the beautiful and tragic moments that form the tapestry of a lifetime. This novel is a celebration of love in all its forms, depicting the heart’s enduring pursuit of happiness and belonging despite the adversities it may face.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende has been praised for its lush storytelling and rich use of South American magical realism. It offers a multigenerational narrative filled with themes of love, secrecy, and fate, according to reviews from the Financial Times. Publishers Weekly describes it as a magical and sweeping tale that is both remarkable and heartbreaking.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781471152191

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 June 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Scribner UK

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 336

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About the Author

Born in Peru and raised in Chile, Isabel Allende is the author of a number of bestselling and critically acclaimed books, including The House of the Spirits, Of Love and Shadows, Eva Luna, The Stories of Eva Luna, Paula, The Japanese Lover, In the Midst of Winter, A Long Petal of the Sea, The Soul of a Woman, Violeta, and The Wind Knows My Name.  Her books have been translated into more than thirty-five languages and have sold more than 77 million copies worldwide. She is the recipient of the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and she divides her time between California and Chile.

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