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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 (rounded up for subject matter) = Boring in some parts, but interesting enough to finish. I never knew how serious the hate was between Japanese and Koreans. There were so many anticlimactic moments....maybe this was intentional?? 🤔 Overall, it was a good read.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Although I learned a lot about the history of Korea and Japan this writing style was not enjoyable to read. The whole book felt quite abrupt especially at each chapter end and had no flow or rhythm to it. Some elements would keep my interest then the book would take a turn and move on to a new story line, very disconnected. Overall it was alright but I wouldn’t recommend it.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
i tend to rate books too highly- but this is easily one of the best books i have ever read. beautiful and sweeping and tragic and so interesting!! i could not stop putting down the book to research events mentioned- I can not wait to read more about korea and fill in gaps from my history learning.
i can not recommend this book enough- prepare to ugly cry uncontrollably at the end.
i can not recommend this book enough- prepare to ugly cry uncontrollably at the end.
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pachinko is an enjoyable narrative that absorbs the reader into the epic journey of Sanju and her kin with tragedies, triumphs, troubles, and a little help from an old “friend” who provides “benefits” at opportune moments. There are some characters who get lost on the narrative journey (e.g. Hiraku, Yoseb), or are at times awkwardly executed (Hansu and Sanju in the post-war years or Ayame). All in all, the book is a great read with lush nuances and historical/sociological depth as it relates to the genre of literature where “x” ethnicity is outside “x’s” homeland. Identity continue to remain a compelling human story.