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The Japanese Lover
- Narrated by: Joanna Gleason
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
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The Japanese Lover
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Summary
From New York Times and internationally best-selling author Isabel Allende, an exquisitely crafted love story and multigenerational epic that sweeps from San Francisco in the present day to Poland and the United States during the Second World War.
In 1939, as Poland falls under the shadow of the Nazis, young Alma Belasco's parents send her away to live in safety with an aunt and uncle in their opulent mansion in San Francisco. There, as the rest of the world goes to war, she encounters Ichimei Fukuda, the quiet and gentle son of the family's Japanese gardener. Unnoticed by those around them, a tender love affair begins to blossom. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the two are cruelly pulled apart as Ichimei and his family - like thousands of other Japanese Americans - are declared enemies and forcibly relocated to internment camps run by the United States government. Throughout their lifetimes, Alma and Ichimei reunite again and again, but theirs is a love that they are forever forced to hide from the world.
Decades later, Alma is nearing the end of her long and eventful life. Irina Bazili, a care worker struggling to come to terms with her own troubled past, meets the elderly woman and her grandson, Seth, at San Francisco's charmingly eccentric Lark House nursing home. As Irina and Seth forge a friendship, they become intrigued by a series of mysterious gifts and letters sent to Alma, eventually learning about Ichimei and this extraordinary secret passion that has endured for nearly 70 years.
Sweeping through time and spanning generations and continents, The Japanese Lover explores questions of identity, abandonment, redemption, and the unknowable impact of fate on our lives. Written with the same attention to historical detail and keen understanding of her characters that Isabel Allende has been known for since her landmark first novel The House of the Spirits, The Japanese Lover is a profoundly moving tribute to the constancy of the human heart in a world of unceasing change.
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What listeners say about The Japanese Lover
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- HELEN MARY LAWRENCE
- 08-11-21
Beautiful love story
I loved the narration. Beautifully read. A story of true love which spanned many decades.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- K
- 24-05-16
Interesting and beautiful writing
I thought this was an interesting, multi layered story that was well told and well performed. I was a bit worried that it might be a bit chick lit but it wasn't at all. A great listen!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Claudia DSouza
- 07-01-24
a wonderful slow burn story
yet another captivating masterpiece that seamlessly weaves together love, history, and cultural nuances. The rich storytelling and intricate character development make it a truly compelling read, while the exploration of diverse relationships adds depth to the narrative. Allende's prose is both lyrical and evocative, immersing readers in a world where love transcends time and boundaries. A beautifully written tale that lingers in the heart long after the last page is turned.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- cati
- 16-11-20
Such a beautiful story
This book takes you with it on a remarkable path, filled with the unexpected but at the same time with a unique calmness, without hype or drama; assisted by the gentle, seductive voice of the narrator. You will not be disappointed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- susan aldridge
- 18-02-16
Beautiful book
Written and translated into English beautifully. Narration perfect. A deeply touching story demonstrating all Allende's skill and understanding of human sensibilities.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Blathnaid Bergin
- 25-10-20
Exquisite writing
I adored every word of this book and the narration was clear, well paced and evoked the emotions associated with the plot to perfection. Am just about to listen again. I did not want it to end .
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- SANDRABARRY
- 02-12-20
The Queen of storytelling.
I loved this book, as always Isabel never fails to delight me with her enthralling tales.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 13-09-20
Beautiful story
although simply written, engaging and complicated characters.did not want the story to end. I would even recommend this book to teenagers and young adults to appreciate what it means to get old
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Hanne
- 20-09-16
A wonderful book
A wonderful lovestory. It do well written in a beautiful language. I can really recommend this book.
Also the performance is great.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-02-22
The Japanese Lover
Beautiful storey - I did not want the book to end
Highly recommended
Narrator was excellent too
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