Reviews

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

goudaparanoia's review against another edition

3.0

Pretty good, considering I'm not into historical fiction but long. So long.

eas2's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

pancakke's review against another edition

4.0

I wonder if there was any happiness in this novel? If any of the characters experienced a life that one could ascribe to be of fulfillment and happiness? Sunja and Mozasu, perhaps. No love ever lived, except that of mother and child.

Hana's death was probably the worst. I think it was just that her life was so short and tragic. She loved Solomon and him her in return. Because of this, she knew she had to let him go and to continue to love him after all those years. In the end, Solomon following his father into the Pachinko business could be seen as just a matter of him finding his own identity, but could just as well symbolize how he will always love her.

I suppose the book hits you with it when you start it, considering in the first chapter five to six people are written off (e.g. Hoonie).

cephas's review against another edition

emotional sad tense 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

Incredible powerful, and, incredibly sad.

almost_annie_books's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective 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

4.0

madyhugh's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective tense 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

wellyreads's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

classiccarissa's review against another edition

4.0

4.3

melliussa's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

madeleinealise's review against another edition

4.0

Four stars because I don’t like to be heartbroken after I finish a book. I loved this tale, even though the painful themes that ran through the story were hard to accept. It gave a rather believable picture of a family tainted by cultural oppression in a world where to survive is to make the most of what you have been offered in the current course of history.

An honest and shadowy look at humanity, survival, and the consequences of identity, ambition, and being tied to the legacy of your family. I would consider this a masterpiece and an impressive literary accomplishment that should be catalogued with the best historical fiction.

The story could have been wrapped up about 100 pages sooner, but high praise to Min Jin Lee.