The Love of Azalea

by Onoto Watanna

"The Love of Azalea" by Onoto Watanna is a novel written in the early 20th century." The story revolves around Azalea, a young Japanese girl caught in the throes of cultural conflict, personal tragedy, and romantic turmoil as she navigates life under the strictures of her stepmother and the demands of societal expectations. Her journey leads her to encounter Richard Verley, a missionary who changes the course of her life. "At the start of the narrative, readers are introduced to a mission church in a small Japanese village, where the congregation is disinterested in the sermons of the foreign priest, Richard Verley." Amidst this backdrop, Azalea is depicted as a young girl longing for escape from her unkind home life with a stepmother who treats her cruelly. Dressed in rags, Azalea finds herself smitten with the notion of earning money through singing, just like the choir boys who are treated kindly by Verley. This initial longing evolves when she decides to approach the minister, pretending to seek conversion in the hopes of receiving assistance. The opening chapters set the stage for her transformative journey, revealing her desires for freedom and love against the struggles of her impoverished circumstances and the rigid expectations of her society.