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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
slow-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
This is my favorite book so far this year. Generational trauma, the plight of women, the pressure of conforming to a stringent society, the horrors of occupation, hyper masculinity, the AIDs crisis, teen pregnancy.
It’s so beautifully composed, I couldn’t put it down. One BookTok suggestion worth the hype.
It’s so beautifully composed, I couldn’t put it down. One BookTok suggestion worth the hype.
challenging
emotional
informative
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:
Complicated
I enjoyed the writing but I struggled a little with the length of the tale
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When people talk about modern epics, I'd definitely argue that this falls in that category. It's got a really classic style, between its true omniscient third-person perspective and intricate character work. I was so riveted by Sunja and couldn't help but root for her and her family. I do think that the narration was a touch too distant on occasion—primarily when some of the more emotional events get rushed along (e.g., many of the deaths throughout the book may have some lead up to them, but the deaths themselves and their immediate aftermath are glossed over ). But, the book tackles a truly prodigious length of time and number of thematic topics, so I never fully lost my immersion. Highly recommend this!
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
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:
Yes
Touching book with an interesting insight about life in Korea and Japan after WWII
“Living makes you dirty.”
Pachinko follows a family dealing with their lot in life and persevering despite its difficulties, no matter how much is stacked against them both systemically and personally. Min Jin Lee’s writing is very well researched into the culture and hardships of Japanese-born Korean during the 19th century, and it makes it easy to dive in into the life of Sunja and her family. I found it pretty easy to follow even with a huge cast of characters and multiple perspectives, which would usually be too distracting for me.
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
informative
sad
tense
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:
Yes