I haven’t read any Isabel Allende in a long time (she was a favorite of mine in college and in young adulthood). A colleague recommended The Japanese Lover, and, upon learning it was written by Allende, I hopped to it, hoping I would like it. What a great story. It was written in Allende’s signature matter-of-fact style and kept you on your toes, waiting to know more about all the characters. What a pleasure.