Evie Sommers leads a mostly solitary life through her youth in the 1920s and 30s near Seattle, Washington. Not that she is lonely, but she is comfortable with being alone and enjoys her own company. Still, when social situations arise, like going to school and work, Evie doesn't shy away, she simply assumes a public persona to fit the needs of the venue. In college, Evie's friend, Alice, asks Evie to meet Hiroshi's friend Kenji and tutor him in English. Soon the foursome spends most of their time together, and the news of the US declaration of war against Japan sends the two American women to Japan with their men. After Kenji goes to war, never to return, Evie finds herself isolated in a culture where Caucasian people are not well accepted. On her solitary night walks, Evie finds a new source of strength in a blind old man and his art.