Kitty S. (kittynewengland) reviewed on 6/2/2018 + 116 more book reviews

I liked but did not love "The Japanese Lover." Parts about Alma's life story and the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II were well-written and interesting. I really liked reading about the eccentric Lark House. But the main love stories in the novel didn't work for me. There is no reasoning behind why Seth would be so in love with Irina when she had shown no interest in him for three years. Ichi, the eponymous title character, is described well in the story with regard to his family, but I never got a sense of what drew he and Alma together and made them remain in love for decades. The side plot about Alma's brother Samuel was useless. Isabel Allende fans have encouraged me to try some of her other titles.

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