The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende has written a beautiful love story in her novel The Japanese Lover.  This book is not a "typical" love story in that the main character, Alma, is not typical in any way.  Sent to live with an American relative when the Nazis were threatening Poland, Alma became a strong female who was not romantic in her views of people overall.  She was determined to be self sufficient and dependent on no one.  Alma did, however, fall deeply in love with Ichimei Fukuda, the son of the gardener on her uncle's estate.  Theirs was a love that transcended time, social morays and family connections.  This clandestine love affair is nestled into the story of Alma and her grandson, Seth, and his quest for the love of his life, Irina the sweet girl who has suffered an abusive step father.  Irina is afraid to let herself feel strong emotions.  This fear is counterpoised against Alma's fierce love and belief that love will win out.  Allende has created a wonderful tale that opens up the many facets of "love" in any person's life.  We readers are taken on this splendid journey with fingers crossed hoping that all the characters find true happiness and their true soul mate.