Love against all odds

Love is the prominent theory in "Calling Me Home," as the main character, Isabelle, tells the story of the love of her life and how he was snatched from her via social convention and a controlling family. Isabelle is 90 years old as she tells the story of when she was 17 years old in 1939 and falling in love with a black man just a year older than her. Isabelle and Robert began their courtship in secret, as it was improper for whites and blacks to socialize; they were really only allowed to interact with one another as employer (white) and employee (black). Yet, they were determined, all in the name of love.

Isabelle and Robert first interacted as more than acquaintances when Robert saved Isabelle from a potential sexual assault outside of a nightclub. After that, Isabelle became progressively more intrigued with Robert the...