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larinha_08's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jay_pea's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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? No
4.5
mollie_jane's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
sophienaumoff's review against another edition
5.0
If I ever had to recommend someone to read a single novel it would be Pachinko, a million times over. I have never read about this region of the world (Korea and Japan) and fell in love with Min Jin Lees storytelling. This book provides such insight into the oppression that Koreans faced in Japan leading up to-following WWII, something I had never previously realized. If you love a book with strong female leads and something that touches on and explores generational trauma, this is for you.
spacebras's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
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
4.75
Nebraska Library Commission Book Club Spotlight - May 7th, 2024
Pachinko by Asian-American Author Min Jin Lee is an epic historical novel that was a labor of love that spanned decades of work and research. Focusing on the historical imperial rule of Japan, Pachinko follows the diaspora of Koreans in Japan who faced racism and discrimination in both work and society. A National Book Award Finalist, the novel and Lee were awarded the Manhae Grand Prize for Literature, one of Korea’s highest honors in literature. The branching story of Pachinko revolves around the character of Sunja, who, as events transpire, is the perpetual foreigner in life. Not only is she literally a foreigner in Japan, but as a woman, impoverished widower, and carrying the shame of her firstborn’s father, she will always be on the outside of a society puppeteered by men above her station.
On a small inlet outside Busan, Korea, Sunja is the young, mild-mannered, but steadfast daughter of a small lodging house owner. Living a fairly isolated life outside of the bustling town, Sunja encounters a much older man who gains her confidence and impregnates her. Believing he intends to marry her, Sunja is devastated to learn he is already married as her world crashes in on her. Before her due date, a sickly Protestant Minister offers to marry her out of the kindness of his heart to help support her and the soon-to-be-born child, Noa. Together the couple moved to Japan and had another son, Mozasu. As foreigners in Japan, the family experiences the daily hardship of poverty, World War II, and second-class citizenship as Koreans. Spanning 1910 to 1989, Pachinko follows the family as it grows and branches off in this sweeping epic of what it takes to love despite odds that will always be against them.
Pachinko by Asian-American Author Min Jin Lee is an epic historical novel that was a labor of love that spanned decades of work and research. Focusing on the historical imperial rule of Japan, Pachinko follows the diaspora of Koreans in Japan who faced racism and discrimination in both work and society. A National Book Award Finalist, the novel and Lee were awarded the Manhae Grand Prize for Literature, one of Korea’s highest honors in literature. The branching story of Pachinko revolves around the character of Sunja, who, as events transpire, is the perpetual foreigner in life. Not only is she literally a foreigner in Japan, but as a woman, impoverished widower, and carrying the shame of her firstborn’s father, she will always be on the outside of a society puppeteered by men above her station.
On a small inlet outside Busan, Korea, Sunja is the young, mild-mannered, but steadfast daughter of a small lodging house owner. Living a fairly isolated life outside of the bustling town, Sunja encounters a much older man who gains her confidence and impregnates her. Believing he intends to marry her, Sunja is devastated to learn he is already married as her world crashes in on her. Before her due date, a sickly Protestant Minister offers to marry her out of the kindness of his heart to help support her and the soon-to-be-born child, Noa. Together the couple moved to Japan and had another son, Mozasu. As foreigners in Japan, the family experiences the daily hardship of poverty, World War II, and second-class citizenship as Koreans. Spanning 1910 to 1989, Pachinko follows the family as it grows and branches off in this sweeping epic of what it takes to love despite odds that will always be against them.
“Living every day in the presence of those who refuse to acknowledge your humanity takes great courage”
– MIN JIN LEE
Even though about 1 in every 7 Japanese adults play the game pachinko, the work is associated with ethnic Koreans. After the war’s devastation, Koreans in Japan had a hard time getting job opportunities, and the shady business welcomed them with open arms. And like many, Mozasu and Noa’s best option was through Pachinko, their lives, like the ball bearings on an uncontrollable path of fate. Lee’s Pachinko encourages and helps the reader discover a portion of history that adult Book Club groups can approach with an eye for themes of marginalization and forever ostracization as world events are woven around these minor players. Lee, who aimed to write “compelling stories of individuals who struggled to face historical catastrophes,” asks what choices are there when you are functionally powerless.
lyx's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what a story.
It‘s probably a little bit (like, very) embarrassing that I didn‘t know what “Pachinko” means prior to reading this book. It’s been an intense journey following this family across 4 generations, a few cities and countries, many conflicts, births, deaths, and everything in between.
The first half or so of the book is pretty slow-paced, and I especially liked the attention to details that contributed to the depth of individual characters, and in turn made them feel a lot more personal. The pace of storytelling quickens as more characters are introduced - I’m not entirely sure if it was meant to be this way, but I thought it reflected the pace of modern life pretty well, although perhaps at the expense of the development of the characters.
Now, the ending. It felt somewhat hasty, and a lot of the issues were left unresolved. I personally expected a more profound and reflective ending, given the well-explored first half of the book. Somehow the story lost its momentum and depth as it went on, though I thoroughly enjoyed the way Lee highlighted the differences in characters and their beliefs on religion, wealth, status, respect, loyalty, and so much more. It’s a great volume to be experienced.
It‘s probably a little bit (like, very) embarrassing that I didn‘t know what “Pachinko” means prior to reading this book. It’s been an intense journey following this family across 4 generations, a few cities and countries, many conflicts, births, deaths, and everything in between.
The first half or so of the book is pretty slow-paced, and I especially liked the attention to details that contributed to the depth of individual characters, and in turn made them feel a lot more personal. The pace of storytelling quickens as more characters are introduced - I’m not entirely sure if it was meant to be this way, but I thought it reflected the pace of modern life pretty well, although perhaps at the expense of the development of the characters.
Now, the ending. It felt somewhat hasty, and a lot of the issues were left unresolved. I personally expected a more profound and reflective ending, given the well-explored first half of the book. Somehow the story lost its momentum and depth as it went on, though I thoroughly enjoyed the way Lee highlighted the differences in characters and their beliefs on religion, wealth, status, respect, loyalty, and so much more. It’s a great volume to be experienced.
emhu's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sanjubee's review against another edition
5.0
This book is like a brilliant family portrait. The whole story is so engrossing, each character so complex, each tragedy is heart-breaking and each step forward a triumph. Lee's writing truly captures the reality of life for Koreans in Japan. This book deserves its acclaim and is sure to become a classic must-read.
soyboysimon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Every once in a while I come across a book that I absolutely devour. It resonates, hits the right mood at the right time, and I find myself losing sleep to keep getting lost in the story. This was one of those books for me.
To watch this family over four generations go from having so little and loving so much to having so much and loving so little was heartbreaking. All of the hardships endured to make a better life for your children, who then do the same for their children, over and over, it was fascinating.
Shocking, devastating, and beautiful. I'll still be thinking about this one years from now, thats how you know its a good book.
To watch this family over four generations go from having so little and loving so much to having so much and loving so little was heartbreaking. All of the hardships endured to make a better life for your children, who then do the same for their children, over and over, it was fascinating.
Shocking, devastating, and beautiful. I'll still be thinking about this one years from now, thats how you know its a good book.
sroberts2's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Beautiful story of a family over many generations. Very good antagonists