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nidareadss's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
katiereed's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Abandonment
ebtdean's review against another edition
2.0
I updated my rating to downgrade from an 3 to a 2, after thinking about it for a while. This book and story had unlimited potential, and the characters could have been really compelling. Unfortunately, the story never found its footing. At times it was a mystery, sometimes it was a journey of self discovery, and other times it was a character driven story. But none of it ever landed well or succeeded in its mission. It was like a firework that you light and keep waiting for it to explode and everything to come together, but it never goes off and just fizzles out. Such a bummer.
This is one of many books from Reese’s book club that was mediocre, time to start looking more closely at the choices and if I want to commit to another lackluster book.
This is one of many books from Reese’s book club that was mediocre, time to start looking more closely at the choices and if I want to commit to another lackluster book.
katebell1994's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, it brought my own relationship with my Mum to the forefront of my mind. There was no ground-breaking discoveries, but it was a more than pleasant read. I feel like it could have been about 80 pages shorter and it lost a lot of momentum toward the end when Margot was trying to uncover the truth about Mina's passing.
Solid 3 Star read, i would like to try more of Nancy's writing.
Solid 3 Star read, i would like to try more of Nancy's writing.
erinjp123's review against another edition
4.0
More like a 3.5 but I feel bad rounding down. It was a quick, entertaining read. I liked the duel stories. Would have maybe worked better as just Mina's tale as she was interesting and Margot was less so. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE Korean food but maybe didn't need descriptions of every meal any of these people ever ate. We get it. You eat. Was good, not great. Would recommend for people looking for light beach like books, although there are probably better ones to chose from.
torijoy24's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
acraftyescape's review against another edition
4.0
At times hard to read, a wonderful story of immigrants and the sacrifices they make for their children.
swaksha_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
aliciaflattt's review against another edition
3.0
Why can't I give 3.5 stars!?
This book feels like a combination of Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner mixed with The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, and I would especially encourage this read if you liked the idea of Crying in H Mart but wanted a faster moving plot with a bit of mystery or intrigue.
I seem to read in patterns and this year it has been books by Korean authors or involving Korean history. This one was interesting and moving, and lightly touches on the hardship of immigration, racism, generational trauma as the backdrop of the investigation of Mina Lee's death.
It lost a few stars for me because near the end our protagonist Margot reacts to shocking news in a way I just will never understand and it left me muttering to myself in my kitchen until my husband had to ask me what was wrong. :P
If you REALLY want a good book on Korean history, or you liked this book but don't know much about what happened in Korea in the 20th century, you just have to stop everything and read The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. I just can't stop thinking about that one.
This book feels like a combination of Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner mixed with The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, and I would especially encourage this read if you liked the idea of Crying in H Mart but wanted a faster moving plot with a bit of mystery or intrigue.
I seem to read in patterns and this year it has been books by Korean authors or involving Korean history. This one was interesting and moving, and lightly touches on the hardship of immigration, racism, generational trauma as the backdrop of the investigation of Mina Lee's death.
It lost a few stars for me because near the end our protagonist Margot reacts to shocking news in a way I just will never understand and it left me muttering to myself in my kitchen until my husband had to ask me what was wrong. :P
If you REALLY want a good book on Korean history, or you liked this book but don't know much about what happened in Korea in the 20th century, you just have to stop everything and read The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. I just can't stop thinking about that one.