Book review: The Japanese Lover

ISABEL ALLENDE is well known for her wondrous storytelling and ornate descriptions when she became a global phenomenon with her first novel in 1982, The House of Spirits.

We feel glimmers of this in her latest novel, The Japanese Lover.

However, I was a little disappointed to discover large passages of description and sometimes-stiff dialogue.

Nevertheless, there is a heart-warming story at the core and Allende takes the reader on a journey of forbidden romance and deep, meaningful friendships.

The story has all the makings of a poignant historical novel.

Irina Bazili and Alma Belasco cross paths in Lark House Nursing home where Irina is a care worker and Alma is a resident, with the assistance of Alma’s grandson Seth.

Irina gives herself the task of discovering Alma’s mysterious past and her love affair with Ichimei Fukuda.

It’s a touching novel.

However, it fails to really get off the ground, as I feel Allende does rather more ‘telling’ than ‘showing’.

The Japanese Lover

Isabel Allende

Simon & Schuster,

€23.50; ebook, €16.50