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michelehoward's review
4.0
I enjoyed the love story between Alma and Ichimei, and Alma's strong character, as much I enjoyed Irina's story and her relationship with Seth. It was well written and enthralling.
bluhenkatzen's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
annettefunnycello's review
2.0
Gone is the magic realism from Allende's extraordinary early works, including Of love and Shadows, and The house of the spirits. What we have in 'the japanese lover' is a (very welcome) left-wing takedown through solid prose of biases that simmer and often explode within mainstream america. Illumination of the horrors of Japanese incarceration during the war, agism, war-mongering and other worthy issues are delivered via stories about the appealing characters that inhabit this novel. Overall, the book is ok though I'm revealing my studious bias and interest in "literature" whatever that is -- 'the japanese lover' is more like a magazine short story in novel form. A thinking person's harlequin romance, dare I say it. Tedious though, in novel form, and therefore 2 stars. ... all that said, I wonder what is lost in translation (or gained in translation) from Allende's early novels to this one? or perhaps this was written quickly to make some points crystal clear (ever so crystal clear, which is my source of ennui).
emeck's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
maria161985's review
4.0
I had wanted to read this book for quite some time now, especially since it involves cross-cultural love, which is always a topic that I enjoy to learn more about. When I first started this book, I was enthralled by the beauty of Allende's writing; I felt that it flowed beautifully, and that the storyline was intriguing. We first meet Alma Belasco, who is currently residing at Lark House. Once we get to know her family members, we then hear of her forbidden love for Ichiemi, a Japanese man that she met while living at her uncle's home in San Francisco during World War II. Throughout the many years of Alma's life, we learn of the beauty of Alma and Ichiemi's love, although there were many obstacles put in the way of them being together. The story is one of tragedy in one way however, wonder in another, as we learn of the routes in which Alma and Ichiemi are willing to go through in order to be together. Overall, a wonderful book about how love can transform us, and give us opportunities that we never thought possible.