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kdawn999's review against another edition
4.0
“History has failed us, but no matter” has to be one of the most knock-out first sentences I’ve ever read. This novel’s mission is to imagine characters from the margins of history, and I have to admit, I hadn’t given much thought to the Korean diaspora of Japan. Now it’ll always be with me.
A few things that frustrated some of my book club members—lack of historic action, lack of political drama, loose ends for narrative arcs and hasty deaths—I do understand, but I think this work is interesting for how it sticks religiously to its focus on the margins of history, through 4 generations of a family grappling with their places in the world. The sense of statelessness or displacement, feeling like your whole development is in one country yet being denied respect and social membership, this was what moved me in the book.
I do think there is an unruly bloatedness to the second half of the novel—too many characters introduced in the final parts whose stories are left hanging and who feel like simple examples because of that—but I admire the way this narrator is fastidious about creating ground for sympathy for every character, even the villains.
It might have been more satisfying to see a stronger Biblical grip on the book, due to the character names. I was wanting more of what I felt from East of Eden. But I was happy with the window I was given and the lovingly drawn female central characters.
A few things that frustrated some of my book club members—lack of historic action, lack of political drama, loose ends for narrative arcs and hasty deaths—I do understand, but I think this work is interesting for how it sticks religiously to its focus on the margins of history, through 4 generations of a family grappling with their places in the world. The sense of statelessness or displacement, feeling like your whole development is in one country yet being denied respect and social membership, this was what moved me in the book.
I do think there is an unruly bloatedness to the second half of the novel—too many characters introduced in the final parts whose stories are left hanging and who feel like simple examples because of that—but I admire the way this narrator is fastidious about creating ground for sympathy for every character, even the villains.
It might have been more satisfying to see a stronger Biblical grip on the book, due to the character names. I was wanting more of what I felt from East of Eden. But I was happy with the window I was given and the lovingly drawn female central characters.
storeytale's review against another edition
5.0
Richly detailed, beautifully written and absorbing journey of a Korean family in Japan.
olivias4321's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Quickly read like 90% of the book and then put it down for a few months during the semester. Incredibly beautifully written multigenerational story about a Korean family in Japan. Explores questions of identity, family, aspiration, and obligation. There is also a lot of tragedy. It is met/countered with acceptance rather than glamorous happy endings.
miamon's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
monazaneefer's review against another edition
Edited rating (16 Dec 2022): ★★☆☆☆ (2 stars...or maybe 3?) The more I let time pass by, the more I realise that, overall, I don't really care for this book. The only good part was the first third when it followed the first generation. The newer and modern storylines didn't do it for me; they were fast (YEARS would pass by every other chapter), I didn't care for the characters, and the content - like mentioned earlier - was skipable. I don't think I'd read this book again, and it's actually made me more apprehensive about generational sagas. I find myself thinking twice when I come across any of them now.
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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Solid addictive story, although I was a bit taken aback by the time jumps towards the middle-end. I can't say it's my favourite book because I wasn't emotionally connected to any character (ESPECIALLY from the second generation onwards) - but was thoroughly immersed and invested in most their stories as an outsider - and tbh, I was disgusted a couple of times at the content skipskipskip.
Some pros:
i. I found Hansu to be the most fascinating character here simply because he was very nuanced. Terrible and creepy as he was, his devotion to his son, and love for his employee, Kim, were noble and gave him redemptive qualities. And beyond the beginning, he was actually genuine towards Sunja lel.
ii. AND I've only ever been so shocked twice reading a book to the point of covering my mouth with my hands. Villette's plot twist being one, and in this, Noa's death. The last chapter of Sunja visiting his grave was so poignant, although I didn't particularly find any significance in her learning about Noa's earlier visits. Wiki tells me it gave her closure to know he wasn't ashamed of his family. I suppose so...but as a reader you already knew that, so the ending didn't have closure in the form of revelation for me. Nevertheless, it was an appropriate, calm ending to a story in which we followed decades of a woman's life.
Cons:
i. The time jumps were irksome
ii. I was bored a couple of times with the second generation and after. Was quite happy when it shifted back to our old characters.
iii. There were more characters I was grossed out by from the second-third gen so that didn't help.
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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Solid addictive story, although I was a bit taken aback by the time jumps towards the middle-end. I can't say it's my favourite book because I wasn't emotionally connected to any character (ESPECIALLY from the second generation onwards) - but was thoroughly immersed and invested in most their stories as an outsider - and tbh, I was disgusted a couple of times at the content skipskipskip.
Some pros:
i. I found Hansu to be the most fascinating character here simply because he was very nuanced. Terrible and creepy as he was, his devotion to his son, and love for his employee, Kim, were noble and gave him redemptive qualities. And beyond the beginning, he was actually genuine towards Sunja lel.
ii. AND I've only ever been so shocked twice reading a book to the point of covering my mouth with my hands. Villette's plot twist being one, and in this, Noa's death. The last chapter of Sunja visiting his grave was so poignant, although I didn't particularly find any significance in her learning about Noa's earlier visits. Wiki tells me it gave her closure to know he wasn't ashamed of his family. I suppose so...but as a reader you already knew that, so the ending didn't have closure in the form of revelation for me. Nevertheless, it was an appropriate, calm ending to a story in which we followed decades of a woman's life.
Cons:
i. The time jumps were irksome
ii. I was bored a couple of times with the second generation and after. Was quite happy when it shifted back to our old characters.
iii. There were more characters I was grossed out by from the second-third gen so that didn't help.
caroline_slaughter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
chelsinpdx's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tiakiwi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This multi-generational story is so beautiful! Every character has so much depth and even the one that are a little more troubled have so much relatabilty! There were moments in the story where I had to put the book down just to take a breath and contemplate everything that had happened.