The book is passed to Lou

Here's the inscription on the first page of the 1962 hardcover "Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon" by Jorge Amado:

Dearest Lou -- of recent date, a kind friend sent this to me when I was ill, saying he thought it was one of the really great novels of the past decade. Since then I have heard and read other other glowing reports. But alas, the book remains pristine and untouched. Perhaps it will fare better in your hands, and if you recommend it, then I'll borrow it! Love, [Illegible]

The questions that are raised are:

• What is the name of the person who wrote this note? (It looks like it begins with "E".)
• Is "Lou" a man or a woman? Thus, was this written from a man to a woman? Or from a woman to a man?
• What is the significance of the word "I" being underlined in its first occurence?
• Did the author of the inscription receive this book from Lou in the first place?
• Did Lou ever read the book?

These are the kind of things I wonder about.