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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
This reminded me a little of Ann Patchett's Commonwealth, even though it didn't have the non-chronological structure. What they do have in common is a tendency to relay the big important life-changing events matter-of-factly, while the bulk of the prose is concerned with the daily life stuff that occurs around those events. This book deals heavily with survival and identity and what those things mean for each subsequent generation.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so captivated by this book in the short time that I read it. When I was reading it, my mind never wandered off. I felt entranced and didn’t even realize it until I was done reading! Omnipresent narrators don’t usually work for me, but here it was so intentional and well done that I really appreciated what it added to the storytelling. I loved seeing the interwoven generations, the ways they overlapped, the things they left unsaid. It was beautiful. I was a little less interested in the story in the 3rd quarter but I thought it tied up nicely. The theme of individual lives being up to chance but everyone still having hope for a better life, even as history churns on, will stick with me for a while.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Absolutely loved this book. Inhaled it so fast and I’m glad I borrowed it! So incredibly rich in its characterisation and I felt for every single character and their plight
Very lovely to sit with their entire beings and thoughts and feelings
Very lovely to sit with their entire beings and thoughts and feelings
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Helped me become aware of the experiences and hardships of koreans throughout the 1900s by following several different characters through generations of a family. Some character’s storylines left something to be desired and it felt scattered at times, especially in the later parts of the book. Had a touching ending but it felt like there was unrealized potential for more similar moments throughout the book.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a beautiful and devastating story. I loved loved loved it! I may end up rating this higher but I need to reflect I think!
This story spans so many families and so many years but at the same time I kind of can't believe it was only the course of like 50ish years.
This story spans so many families and so many years but at the same time I kind of can't believe it was only the course of like 50ish years.
Though extensive, the novel is never drawn out. I could relate to every character in this exemplary book, and I found it difficult to put it down.
You must read this if you are interested in the histories of Korea and Japan. You ought to read it even if you're not. You won't find another book that so beautifully explains the daily realities while putting politics aside. The formation and destruction of identity under imperial Japan, as well as the remnants still discernible now, are all depicted in each character's unique identification story, which is what I found to be the most moving.
I wanted to read this book because I have been watching k-dramas since 2020 now and I was curious to know more about the conflict between Korea and Japan. Also, a k-drama was also being filmed on this book. Pachinko, with Lee Min-ho and many other famous Korean and Japanese actors, is now streaming and I knew I had to read this book before I watched the drama. Both the book and the tv series are worth your time.
You must read this if you are interested in the histories of Korea and Japan. You ought to read it even if you're not. You won't find another book that so beautifully explains the daily realities while putting politics aside. The formation and destruction of identity under imperial Japan, as well as the remnants still discernible now, are all depicted in each character's unique identification story, which is what I found to be the most moving.
I wanted to read this book because I have been watching k-dramas since 2020 now and I was curious to know more about the conflict between Korea and Japan. Also, a k-drama was also being filmed on this book. Pachinko, with Lee Min-ho and many other famous Korean and Japanese actors, is now streaming and I knew I had to read this book before I watched the drama. Both the book and the tv series are worth your time.