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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.
wisbeth's review against another edition
5.0
This was a beautiful coming of age story about a girl in Korea during the Japanese occupation. It is a period and place that I knew very little about. I was pulled into the story right from the beginning when we meet a young girl of five who does not yet have a name. Her father refuses to name her. He is a calligrapher and a political activist. Najin is finally given a name and as she grows into a young woman her life takes many unexpected turns due to the political unrest at the time and her father's determination to stick with the old ways. She is a strong character who earned my admiration. It is not a quick read but a book to be slowly read and savored.
kai3cll's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 with leniency.
"Empty shell of characters going through currents of life to show Wikipedia information"
Things that this historical fiction success to do is to mention historical Political events with its years and Wikipedia information. Shows traditional rituals specific to yangban (higher class) of that time. Describes weather and scenery.
What it fails to provide as historical fiction is a journey through history that is personal to the characters, often it feels like the characters are medium to let the historical facts travel through them rather than people living their life. Many changes occur which often doesn't lead to any character growth. The story feels slow and stretched. Just how yangban was taught to hold their expression, perhaps they held their stories too.
The recurring focus is on Christianity's influence on Korea and its characters. Sadly, these mentions of faith are discussed by only mentioning the contents of the religious texts rather than what religion means for the characters individually.
Another recurring matter is patriarchy and feminism (or lack of it) these themes are mentioned frequently in the starting chapters but nothing worthy to note comes up in the story later, even if there are times when it could have changed something.
The ending is anti-climatic and disappointing.
The only reason to read this book is for Wikipedia information but then again you can get that on Wikipedia without the additional trials of fiction.
"Empty shell of characters going through currents of life to show Wikipedia information"
Things that this historical fiction success to do is to mention historical Political events with its years and Wikipedia information. Shows traditional rituals specific to yangban (higher class) of that time. Describes weather and scenery.
What it fails to provide as historical fiction is a journey through history that is personal to the characters, often it feels like the characters are medium to let the historical facts travel through them rather than people living their life. Many changes occur which often doesn't lead to any character growth. The story feels slow and stretched. Just how yangban was taught to hold their expression, perhaps they held their stories too.
The recurring focus is on Christianity's influence on Korea and its characters. Sadly, these mentions of faith are discussed by only mentioning the contents of the religious texts rather than what religion means for the characters individually.
Another recurring matter is patriarchy and feminism (or lack of it) these themes are mentioned frequently in the starting chapters but nothing worthy to note comes up in the story later, even if there are times when it could have changed something.
The ending is anti-climatic and disappointing.
The only reason to read this book is for Wikipedia information but then again you can get that on Wikipedia without the additional trials of fiction.
maryfrances_odea's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating insight into Korea. How narrow we westerners are that we lump Asians together when they not only are completely different, but even dislike each other (Japanese and Korean relations are NOT good in this novel). It's a wonderful portrayal of the differences in the culture and attitudes.
Definitely an interesting read if you're interested in Korea and it's culture.
Definitely an interesting read if you're interested in Korea and it's culture.
meg_ray's review against another edition
4.0
Review also written for the Amazon Vine Programme.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and I was hooked from the first few pages. This was just my type of book.
It's set in the early 1900's and we follow Najin from childhood to adulthood and the novel moves along with such a lovely pace. From the innocence of Najin's childhood, through to her struggles in her adulthood I could not put this book down. The whole back drop to this book is how the Japanese slowly tried to take over Korea, and then onto the war. I never knew the history of this all and it made for a fascinating read, especially reading it from the point of view of a Korean child growing up in this changing world.
I loved reading about Najin as a child, learning from her Mother and being fearful and respectful of her father. They are a higher class family and enjoy some nice things, however this starts to fall apart during the book due to the Japanese.
Najin is also very interesting, she loves education and loves to learn, and doesn't want to marry. Her Mother also wants her to continue learning and so, when Najin's father wants her married at only 14, her Mother sends her off to stay with her cousin who works with the Empress, and she becomes a companion to the Princess at the palace, until the royal family falls apart...
I love reading about the Korean culture, and how they are forced to change many cultures to fit those of the Japanese. Kim writes with such beauty and I was hooked to every single word. I was disappointed with the ending however as to me it ended rather abruptly and I really wanted to keep reading on about the situation that was at hand. This didn't spoil for me however the rest of the book, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading and found hard to put down.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and I was hooked from the first few pages. This was just my type of book.
It's set in the early 1900's and we follow Najin from childhood to adulthood and the novel moves along with such a lovely pace. From the innocence of Najin's childhood, through to her struggles in her adulthood I could not put this book down. The whole back drop to this book is how the Japanese slowly tried to take over Korea, and then onto the war. I never knew the history of this all and it made for a fascinating read, especially reading it from the point of view of a Korean child growing up in this changing world.
I loved reading about Najin as a child, learning from her Mother and being fearful and respectful of her father. They are a higher class family and enjoy some nice things, however this starts to fall apart during the book due to the Japanese.
Najin is also very interesting, she loves education and loves to learn, and doesn't want to marry. Her Mother also wants her to continue learning and so, when Najin's father wants her married at only 14, her Mother sends her off to stay with her cousin who works with the Empress, and she becomes a companion to the Princess at the palace, until the royal family falls apart...
I love reading about the Korean culture, and how they are forced to change many cultures to fit those of the Japanese. Kim writes with such beauty and I was hooked to every single word. I was disappointed with the ending however as to me it ended rather abruptly and I really wanted to keep reading on about the situation that was at hand. This didn't spoil for me however the rest of the book, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading and found hard to put down.
megansgc's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty slow pace. Not much that kept me eager to go back to it. Interesting reading about Korean history and culture
xeniaaaaaah's review against another edition
5.0
This book shows...unveiled for me...put into words for me...what the utter and true love of a mother for a daughter (and vice-versa) looks like, and for that I will forever be grateful.