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stephyrm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
skyebird16's review
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Vomit, Grief, Gore, Pregnancy, Torture, Violence, Toxic friendship, Child death, Excrement, and Genocide
Moderate: Colonisation and Rape
Minor: Animal death and Alcohol
uglycovers's review against another edition
5.0
This was absolutely stunning. I read the majority of this while taking various buses in Jeju and I think the sentimenality of it added another element to it.
Regardless of that, this was clearly a highly researched book that managed to balance the facts and history of the island without it ever becoming disconnected from the plot. What really drove this book was the characterisation. I smiled, I cried, I gasped; this book was an emotional rollercoaster with each character remaining lovable in spite of some questionable actions which is certainly a difficult outcome to achieve.
I highly recommend this book even if you know nothing about the background of it.
Regardless of that, this was clearly a highly researched book that managed to balance the facts and history of the island without it ever becoming disconnected from the plot. What really drove this book was the characterisation. I smiled, I cried, I gasped; this book was an emotional rollercoaster with each character remaining lovable in spite of some questionable actions which is certainly a difficult outcome to achieve.
I highly recommend this book even if you know nothing about the background of it.
missyjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting story. I enjoyed learning about the haenyeo and Jeju Island. I previously was unaware of both. Getting a bit more information on the history of the area during WWII and the Korean war was good. I had a good sense of what happened with Joon-lee a bit too early on and anticipated a good bit of the end of the book. I have enjoyed Lisa See books but was a little disappointed in this one. The parts where Young-sook was younger and remembering/recalling/retelling did not always flow well and seemed a bit choppy.
mzstarr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
erinbrook's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounded up. I could've done without the predictable and slightly cheesy ending but ooooomg this was so good. It reminded me a lot of The Nightingale. Somewhat slow to get into, but about 40% of the way into it, I was so hooked. There was so much that took place that I've never heard of. Ive been deep diving online to learn more since I finished it last night.
storeytale's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible story of being a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, grandmother.
socomplikatied's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5