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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
This historical novel tells the story of a young woman, her yangban (aristocratic) family and the people of Korea, from 1915 to 1945 (during the time of the Japanese occupation and annexation of Korea). Han Najin has known a life of privilege, but has always felt constrained by the bonds of tradition and the expectations of society towards a young woman of her class. She is bright and resourceful, and matures to be an obedient and dutiful daughter – to a point. She will not marry at age 14, despite her father’s wishes, and conspires with her mother to get the advanced education she so desires. Still things do not go smoothly for Najin, her family or her country. When she does fall in love historical events keep the couple apart; their love and faith in God severely tested.
I really liked this book. I enjoy reading about a culture and time that is new to me, and I must admit I was completely ignorant of much of Korea’s rich history. However, I did think the book could have used some editing; I thought certain issues were unnecessarily repeated. (How many scenes of deprivation do we need to read to understand the difficulties the Koreans faced during this time?) I also had to remind myself several times not to judge Najin by today’s American standards; that is probably more my fault as a reader. I gritted my teeth with each subservient remark; I wanted to throttle her father and brother. Still, I managed to admire Najin for her ingenuity, courage and genuine selflessness. The ending is hopeful yet somewhat ambiguous, and I like that. I much prefer to let my imagination carry the story further, than to have it spelled out.
This historical novel tells the story of a young woman, her yangban (aristocratic) family and the people of Korea, from 1915 to 1945 (during the time of the Japanese occupation and annexation of Korea). Han Najin has known a life of privilege, but has always felt constrained by the bonds of tradition and the expectations of society towards a young woman of her class. She is bright and resourceful, and matures to be an obedient and dutiful daughter – to a point. She will not marry at age 14, despite her father’s wishes, and conspires with her mother to get the advanced education she so desires. Still things do not go smoothly for Najin, her family or her country. When she does fall in love historical events keep the couple apart; their love and faith in God severely tested.
I really liked this book. I enjoy reading about a culture and time that is new to me, and I must admit I was completely ignorant of much of Korea’s rich history. However, I did think the book could have used some editing; I thought certain issues were unnecessarily repeated. (How many scenes of deprivation do we need to read to understand the difficulties the Koreans faced during this time?) I also had to remind myself several times not to judge Najin by today’s American standards; that is probably more my fault as a reader. I gritted my teeth with each subservient remark; I wanted to throttle her father and brother. Still, I managed to admire Najin for her ingenuity, courage and genuine selflessness. The ending is hopeful yet somewhat ambiguous, and I like that. I much prefer to let my imagination carry the story further, than to have it spelled out.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
Good read. About a young woman in Korea from about 1918 through WWII. The clash between the old traditional ways and the new, more western ways all mixed in with the horrors of Japanese occupation make for a complicated life. The bonus was learning some 20th century Asian history.
trueleahliongirl's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! I liked learning the history of Korean through the eyes of a national, a women uncherished who finds out just how loved she is. It's the good kind of girl-power ;)
susanbrooks's review against another edition
2.0
When I finished this book of historical fiction about a woman in Korea from 1910 to post WWII, I wanted to have been interested. (How’s that for complicated tense work.) Reading the short interview with the author about how it was based upon her mother’s life, it felt worthy of fascination. However, neither the characters nor the history actually popped for me.
emilyfrizz's review against another edition
3.0
It's quite an interesting read, the ideas of history, politics and its effects on individuals all examined through the points of view from one family. However, something about the writing style made it a slow read, for me at least - but in saying that, definitely worth the experience!
bookishblond's review against another edition
4.0
What a gorgeous novel! takes place in Korea during the Japanese occupation, a historical period that I am less than familiar with but newly intrigued by. The novel takes us through thirty years of Najin's life and is filled with interesting and well-developed characters. It was a bit slow to start but I soon found myself absorbed in Najin's story. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
Another win. This was a great book, and I would recommend it to fans of Wild Swans by Jung Chang, Leaving Mother Lake by Yang Erche Namu & Christine Mathie, and even Memoirs of a geisha by Arthur Golden. I got the same feeling as I got from those books, and not just because those took place in China and Japan, and this one in Korea. No, it was because two of those were about real events, and in this one the author was inspired by her mother's story. There was reality and everyday life. And life in a time of turmoil.
This was the story about Najin, a girl who is not named and gets her name by mistake, a name that doesn't even mean anything. She lives in Korea, a country occupied by Japan, and life gets harder and harder as the Japanese tries to oppress the people. She is headstrong, much to her fathers regret. And thanks to her mother she gets to attend missionary school, and she has a real yearning for education. But her father wants to hold on to the old ways, and tradition. While she wants more.
I admired her a lot, because she was so strong and wanted so much. And then there is the way they spoke then, I was fascinated. She meets the emperor and thanks him for remembering a a screen her dad had painted.
"Thank you for your Imperial Highness's kindness to this persons worthless family."
And that is not the only time she says something like that, but it is used in other places. So yes rather fascinated by the way they spoke back then.
It is a story about a girl growing up, going to school, and everyday life. And watching the political unrest around her. Her dad getting beaten and put in jail, people dying after a failed protest march, a woman taking her own life after being raped by soldiers. Land being given away to Japanese families, and Korean families starving. At the same time she also spends time at court, and watches the fall of the royal family, as the emperor is murdered. Her dad who was a famous calligrapher, and who had a lot of money slowly poorer and poorer.
But she never says that this is wrong, and this is right. The book tells it as she sees it, and also sometimes from her father's and mother's POV. There is also a mention about a certain rebel leader up north, but her dad is not so big on communists, even if they fight the Japanese.
This was such an enjoyable story. 30 years of Korean history in a country that truly changed during that time. There is friendship, hardship, and even romance promised as the grows up as the Armstrong woman she was.
A truthful look at a time gone by.
Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Very pretty.
Reason for Reading. I picked this one out from the catalogue they had.
Final thoughts: I recommend it. It was a lovely story, and so well told.
This was the story about Najin, a girl who is not named and gets her name by mistake, a name that doesn't even mean anything. She lives in Korea, a country occupied by Japan, and life gets harder and harder as the Japanese tries to oppress the people. She is headstrong, much to her fathers regret. And thanks to her mother she gets to attend missionary school, and she has a real yearning for education. But her father wants to hold on to the old ways, and tradition. While she wants more.
I admired her a lot, because she was so strong and wanted so much. And then there is the way they spoke then, I was fascinated. She meets the emperor and thanks him for remembering a a screen her dad had painted.
"Thank you for your Imperial Highness's kindness to this persons worthless family."
And that is not the only time she says something like that, but it is used in other places. So yes rather fascinated by the way they spoke back then.
It is a story about a girl growing up, going to school, and everyday life. And watching the political unrest around her. Her dad getting beaten and put in jail, people dying after a failed protest march, a woman taking her own life after being raped by soldiers. Land being given away to Japanese families, and Korean families starving. At the same time she also spends time at court, and watches the fall of the royal family, as the emperor is murdered. Her dad who was a famous calligrapher, and who had a lot of money slowly poorer and poorer.
But she never says that this is wrong, and this is right. The book tells it as she sees it, and also sometimes from her father's and mother's POV. There is also a mention about a certain rebel leader up north, but her dad is not so big on communists, even if they fight the Japanese.
This was such an enjoyable story. 30 years of Korean history in a country that truly changed during that time. There is friendship, hardship, and even romance promised as the grows up as the Armstrong woman she was.
A truthful look at a time gone by.
Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Very pretty.
Reason for Reading. I picked this one out from the catalogue they had.
Final thoughts: I recommend it. It was a lovely story, and so well told.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
4.0
this is the story of najin han. a young woman that grows up in korea during the japanese occupation. her story begins near the turn of the century and takes us up to WWII. najin has a traditional father, but a mother that allows her some freedom, especially the freedom to determine her marriage partner. najin is educated and becomes a teacher and trained as a midwife. this is a piece of history with which i am not familiar so i found it interesting.
ltroge03's review against another edition
2.0
It was ok...slow going in parts and I wasn't a huge fan of the ending but it was ok. The historical aspect was more interesting than the full story line.