"The Japanese Lover" by Isabel Allende tells a poignant story of love that transcends time and circumstance. It follows the lives of Alma Belasco, a Polish Jewish immigrant, and Ichimei, the son of the family’s Japanese gardener. Their relationship blossoms during World War II but is complicated by societal expectations and the horrors of war, leading to a lifelong love that endures despite many obstacles. The narrative is non-linear, weaving through Alma’s present as...