The Japanese Lover
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Isabel Allende |
| Products | Book |
The Japanese Lover represents the eighteenth novel authored by Chilean writer Isabel Allende, released in 2015. This work portrays a love story set against the backdrop of World War II, focusing on a romance between a Polish woman and a Japanese American man following the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. Consistent with Allende’s signature style, the narrative covers multiple decades and merges elements of magical realism with historical romance. Its publication coincided with Allende being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President Barack Obama.
Plot synopsis
In 2015, Alma Belasco, now in her eighties, relocates to Lark House, a retirement community in San Francisco known for its unconventional residents. Irina Bazili, a young immigrant from Moldova who carries her own emotional scars, takes on the role of Alma’s personal assistant. The story weaves Alma’s personal history with significant moments from the latter part of the twentieth century.
Alma begins receiving mysterious letters and gifts from an unidentified admirer. Alongside Irina and Alma’s grandson Seth—who harbors romantic feelings toward Irina—they embark on a quest to uncover the sender’s identity. The discovery of a photograph featuring Ichimei Fukuda, a Japanese-American man Alma encountered in 1939, leads Alma to share their past.
Following the German invasion of Poland, eight-year-old Alma is sent to live with affluent relatives in San Francisco. There, she forms a close bond with Ichimei, the gardener’s son and her uncle’s employee, and they develop a deep affection for each other. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ichimei is placed in an internment camp because of his ancestry, compelling their relationship to continue secretly through correspondence. Although Alma marries her cousin Nathaniel, she intermittently maintains contact with Ichimei.
As Irina grows closer to Seth, she confides in him about her history of abuse. With Alma’s health deteriorating, she eventually passes away. The novel closes with a last exchange of letters between the separated lovers and reveals that Ichimei had died several years earlier.
Reception
The Japanese Lover enjoyed commercial success as a bestseller, aligning with Isabel Allende’s established track record. Covering events from the 1930s through the 2010s, the novel’s broad timeline and extensive character list drew criticism for leaning on clichés and lacking complexity. Lucy Ferris from the New York Times commented on its superficial storyline and insufficient character development, while the Los Angeles Times labeled it as a "humorless and earthbound disappointment."