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rachocambo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
fudgecake10's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-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
4.0
jess_mango's review against another edition
5.0
This book counts towards the Reading Women 2019 Challenge task #6: A multi-generational family saga.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Pachinko spans several generations from the early 1900s through the 1990s in Korea and Japan. The book focuses on a Korean family's journey as they try to make their way in a society where the Koreans are discriminated against by the Japanese. I loved that this book featured strong female characters.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Pachinko spans several generations from the early 1900s through the 1990s in Korea and Japan. The book focuses on a Korean family's journey as they try to make their way in a society where the Koreans are discriminated against by the Japanese. I loved that this book featured strong female characters.
jacyndarmawan's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book on generational family saga I've ever read and boy oh boy.
It was so beautifully written. What incredibly complex, tough, beautifully painful journeys the characters went through. There were many heartbreaking moments in the book that I was able to relate to. As it happens, having grown up in a country that also went through a period of colonization, these stories of turbulent times are far too familiar. Now, as an immigrant to another country, I can also relate to the identity crisis that some of the characters had; of not belonging to one or the other.
The two things I enjoyed the most from the book are the subtle emotions the author was able to capture and convey, and the depiction of the complex relationships between the characters.
On to the next family saga. Any recommendations?
It was so beautifully written. What incredibly complex, tough, beautifully painful journeys the characters went through. There were many heartbreaking moments in the book that I was able to relate to. As it happens, having grown up in a country that also went through a period of colonization, these stories of turbulent times are far too familiar. Now, as an immigrant to another country, I can also relate to the identity crisis that some of the characters had; of not belonging to one or the other.
The two things I enjoyed the most from the book are the subtle emotions the author was able to capture and convey, and the depiction of the complex relationships between the characters.
On to the next family saga. Any recommendations?
clockworkchapters's review against another edition
4.0
The Plot :-
This book is a historical fiction based on pre independent South Korea which was annexed by Imperial Japan. The story spans between four generations of a Korean family whose struggles and pain are the main focus of the plot. The story starts in 1910 Korea then travels through 1930s Japan and finally to 1980s. The story is about Sunja who lived in a seaside village in a poor household but in a proud and loving family. At 16 years old Sunja is helping her mother run a boarding house when she meets and falls in love with Hansu a ruthless and rich merchant. Soon she is pregnant with Hansu’s child and finds out that he is already married which leaves Sunja in despair. But Sunja is soon saved by a Christian priest who willingly marries her and offers a new life in Japan.
My Thoughts:-
The story is actually divided in three parts which focuses on the lives of Sunja’s family through generations. Author had managed to capture the lives of immigrant Koreans as well as Koreans living under Imperial ruled Korea. The harsh realities of immigrant Koreans where they were only offered menial jobs and couldn't find a living space as they were treated like animals were heart wrenching to read. The book is easy to understand and story flows effortlessly. Even if the reader is not aware of the historic events between the two countries, author had done an incredible job of providing enough historical context that its never over bearing.
The book is nearly 500 pages long and it took me awhile to read through it. My favorite portion of the book was the first half where I cheered on Sunja to survive but as the story shifts to second half I was losing interest fast. The story does take some turns which I didn't prefer. Some characters which were important for sometimes just fades away without any answers. Even Sunja who was so brave and proud in the beginning just fades into the background in the end. In some aspects I was kept wanting but in some others the story dragged on. As a citizen of a British invaded country I related to the struggles and discrimination faced by the people of Korea. The nostalgia and rage in the stories stroked a chord in my heart. There are some triggering topics in this book so readers discretion is advised.
My Bookstagram:- https://www.instagram.com/the_clockworkreader/
This book is a historical fiction based on pre independent South Korea which was annexed by Imperial Japan. The story spans between four generations of a Korean family whose struggles and pain are the main focus of the plot. The story starts in 1910 Korea then travels through 1930s Japan and finally to 1980s. The story is about Sunja who lived in a seaside village in a poor household but in a proud and loving family. At 16 years old Sunja is helping her mother run a boarding house when she meets and falls in love with Hansu a ruthless and rich merchant. Soon she is pregnant with Hansu’s child and finds out that he is already married which leaves Sunja in despair. But Sunja is soon saved by a Christian priest who willingly marries her and offers a new life in Japan.
My Thoughts:-
The story is actually divided in three parts which focuses on the lives of Sunja’s family through generations. Author had managed to capture the lives of immigrant Koreans as well as Koreans living under Imperial ruled Korea. The harsh realities of immigrant Koreans where they were only offered menial jobs and couldn't find a living space as they were treated like animals were heart wrenching to read. The book is easy to understand and story flows effortlessly. Even if the reader is not aware of the historic events between the two countries, author had done an incredible job of providing enough historical context that its never over bearing.
The book is nearly 500 pages long and it took me awhile to read through it. My favorite portion of the book was the first half where I cheered on Sunja to survive but as the story shifts to second half I was losing interest fast. The story does take some turns which I didn't prefer. Some characters which were important for sometimes just fades away without any answers. Even Sunja who was so brave and proud in the beginning just fades into the background in the end. In some aspects I was kept wanting but in some others the story dragged on. As a citizen of a British invaded country I related to the struggles and discrimination faced by the people of Korea. The nostalgia and rage in the stories stroked a chord in my heart. There are some triggering topics in this book so readers discretion is advised.
My Bookstagram:- https://www.instagram.com/the_clockworkreader/
alejaeger's review against another edition
4.0
Como a Deborah colocou "I think the game of Pachinko represented life for the Koreans in Japan. There was always the hope that they would have good luck--but, as with the pachinko machines in the novel, someone was always making little adjustments to make sure that they never won."
Livro incrível! A leitura as vezes fica um pouco arrastada, mas vale muito a pena insistir.
Livro incrível! A leitura as vezes fica um pouco arrastada, mas vale muito a pena insistir.
ayathamer12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
dreaminthepages's review against another edition
4.0
Such an inspiring fantastic family saga with such important themes! I loved the theme of belonging and identity and could resonate with this the most as a British born Indian whose own generations of family have migrated from India to Africa to the UK and our lives have been a mixing pot of cultures and traditions because of this a was the case for Sunja's family.
I loved following the various characters nd thought Min Jin Lee's wiriting and portrayal of these characters were beautiful. The way she was able to weave the conplexities of these characters and their backgrounds to mould into one big family tapestry was so beautiful and lyrical! I learnt so much about the history of the relationship between Korean and Japan and its citizens and thought it was very interesting and different to my usual historical fiction reads.
I only knocked off a star as there were some characters I was interested to find out what happened to such as Haruki's wife, maybe more into the Hansu's life but felt it was just left trailed off much like the ending of this lovely saga too which I felt ended pretty abruptly! I'm sure this may be because the author could have kept writing on and on until she reached todays generation but this would have made it a lengthy story. Who knows!
I loved following the various characters nd thought Min Jin Lee's wiriting and portrayal of these characters were beautiful. The way she was able to weave the conplexities of these characters and their backgrounds to mould into one big family tapestry was so beautiful and lyrical! I learnt so much about the history of the relationship between Korean and Japan and its citizens and thought it was very interesting and different to my usual historical fiction reads.
I only knocked off a star as there were some characters I was interested to find out what happened to such as Haruki's wife, maybe more into the Hansu's life but felt it was just left trailed off much like the ending of this lovely saga too which I felt ended pretty abruptly! I'm sure this may be because the author could have kept writing on and on until she reached todays generation but this would have made it a lengthy story. Who knows!
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story. I'm always a big fan of multi generational stories and this one was perfection.