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dionnealvarado's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.5
lalladonelli_'s review against another edition
4.0
“Hansu viveva da qualche parte a Tokyo in un letto d'ospedale, sotto la sorveglianza delle figlie e di infermiere che si alternavano ventiquattr'ore su ventiquattro. Non lo aveva più visto né desiderava farlo. Nei suoi sogni, era forte e vitale come lo era stato quando era ragazza. Ma non era di Han-su che Sunja aveva nostalgia, e nemmeno di Isak. Ciò che rivedeva in sogno erano la sua giovinezza, le sue prime esperienze, i suoi desideri... ecco com'era diventata donna.
Senza Hansu, Isak e Noa il suo pellegrinaggio in quella terra non avrebbe avuto luogo. Al di là della quotidianità, c'erano stati momenti di fulgida bellezza e di splendore persino in quella sua vita da ajumma. Anche se nessuno lo immaginava, era quella la verità.
Una consolazione c'era: le avevano insegnato che le persone care ci restano sempre accanto. E quando le capitava di trovarsi davanti alla biglietteria di una stazione o alla vetrina di una libreria, sentiva la manina di Noa bambino stretta nella propria, chiudeva gli occhi e ripensava al suo dolce profumo d'erba, ricordava che si era sempre impegnato al massimo. In quei momenti, era un bene essere sola e potersi aggrappare a lui.”
4.5⭐️
Questa è una di quelle storie che ti fa sentire davvero di aver trovato una nuova famiglia e di avere con i personaggi un legame indissolubile, di totale comprensione e conoscenza profonda, che durerà per sempre…
Senza Hansu, Isak e Noa il suo pellegrinaggio in quella terra non avrebbe avuto luogo. Al di là della quotidianità, c'erano stati momenti di fulgida bellezza e di splendore persino in quella sua vita da ajumma. Anche se nessuno lo immaginava, era quella la verità.
Una consolazione c'era: le avevano insegnato che le persone care ci restano sempre accanto. E quando le capitava di trovarsi davanti alla biglietteria di una stazione o alla vetrina di una libreria, sentiva la manina di Noa bambino stretta nella propria, chiudeva gli occhi e ripensava al suo dolce profumo d'erba, ricordava che si era sempre impegnato al massimo. In quei momenti, era un bene essere sola e potersi aggrappare a lui.”
4.5⭐️
Questa è una di quelle storie che ti fa sentire davvero di aver trovato una nuova famiglia e di avere con i personaggi un legame indissolubile, di totale comprensione e conoscenza profonda, che durerà per sempre…
nataliestorozhenko's review against another edition
5.0
The book is both heartbreaking and beautiful. As a Ukrainian, I have always felt a connection to the history of the Korean nation, as there are many parallels I can draw. The book highlights the precious words on almost every page. It is an enthralling family saga that perfectly showcases the life of ethnic Koreans in Japan during the occupation of Korea by Japan (1910-1945) and the following years up to 1989. The story depicts how Koreans born in Japan, even a few generations after, were not considered Japanese citizens and were discriminated against both in Korea and Japan as not fully belonging people.
Sunja's narration from her early years to adulthood was the most compelling part of the story. Her strength, patience, and love helped her survive and sustain her family. Isak's wise and beautiful soul was present throughout the whole book, and it stayed with the characters, even though his short life was depicted in not so many pages. His view of Christianity being something that is not forced but a way to love and help people is similar to what I strive for in my faith. I absolutely despised Hansu, but in the end, I felt the same as Sunja: "...this man had ruined her life, but had he? He had given her Noa; unless she had been pregnant, she wouldn't have married Isak, and without Isak, she wouldn't have had Mozasu and now her grandson Solomon. She didn't want to hate him anymore. What did Joseph say to his brothers who had sold him into slavery when he saw them again? "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." This was something Isak had taught her when she'd asked him about the evil of this world."
I loved the writing style and the way the characters were portrayed. The alternating POVs were seamlessly integrated, giving a deep understanding of the characters and their motivations. The historical, cultural, and poetic elements were also enjoyable. Overall, an amazing book
Sunja's narration from her early years to adulthood was the most compelling part of the story. Her strength, patience, and love helped her survive and sustain her family. Isak's wise and beautiful soul was present throughout the whole book, and it stayed with the characters, even though his short life was depicted in not so many pages. His view of Christianity being something that is not forced but a way to love and help people is similar to what I strive for in my faith. I absolutely despised Hansu, but in the end, I felt the same as Sunja: "...this man had ruined her life, but had he? He had given her Noa; unless she had been pregnant, she wouldn't have married Isak, and without Isak, she wouldn't have had Mozasu and now her grandson Solomon. She didn't want to hate him anymore. What did Joseph say to his brothers who had sold him into slavery when he saw them again? "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." This was something Isak had taught her when she'd asked him about the evil of this world."
I loved the writing style and the way the characters were portrayed. The alternating POVs were seamlessly integrated, giving a deep understanding of the characters and their motivations. The historical, cultural, and poetic elements were also enjoyable. Overall, an amazing book
elv0723's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.25
Min Jin Lee’s prose is iridescent, truly. Her character work is to die for and this book solidified my interest in Korean lit.
allielueck's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
themauvereader'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
3.0
mikitastic's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4 ★
➤ It was a splendid book, but it was a very emotionally draining experience.
➤ I felt like I was stuck in a cycle of endless suffering. Although there are good times, they are not expanded in detail as the misfortunes.
➤ Over and over, I felt that the author did not elaborate on events that I would have to loved to know in detail, because the author focused on the outcome instead, settling a rushed context.
➤ The last portion of the book brought me a lot of self-awareness when it comes to my own identity.
➤ It was a splendid book, but it was a very emotionally draining experience.
➤ I felt like I was stuck in a cycle of endless suffering. Although there are good times, they are not expanded in detail as the misfortunes.
➤ Over and over, I felt that the author did not elaborate on events that I would have to loved to know in detail, because the author focused on the outcome instead, settling a rushed context.
➤ The last portion of the book brought me a lot of self-awareness when it comes to my own identity.
prysen's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
mounish441's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
myriam7's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0