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angelapm's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
zezeki's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and War
thatsssorachael's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism and Sexual content
matina_107's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
kate_olsen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aritrigupta's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this. It was a difficult book to get through - there is much sorrow, pain, loss and endurance in the story, but it is also a story of forgiveness, strength and growth. I loved Young-Sook's narration. It was heartfelt, raw and honest. The author did not try to hide her jealousies, her vanity, insecurities or harshness. She did not glorify being a mother, without also highlighting how difficult the journey of a mother is, how she tends to children and also makes peace eventually with their choices even if they were not to her liking.
The Haenyeo has been explored with some depth in this story, and I ate up all those details. The portrayal of women is strong and multi-dimensional in this book, it made me pause, think and reflect. Their lives through the ages shows us the changes we have probably seen as well, but through their eyes, those very changes were shown in a different light. Life on island, and how they depend on nature's blessings - these are the dimensions that captured my attention throughout - these are so different and at times unfathomable. The slices of history revolving the violence and massacres in Jeju were absolutely unknown to me, and like I am wont with such books, I lapped it up, even as they shook me to the core.
Mi-Ja and Young-Sook are unforgettable characters, and I will carry their friendship in my heart for a long time.
The Haenyeo has been explored with some depth in this story, and I ate up all those details. The portrayal of women is strong and multi-dimensional in this book, it made me pause, think and reflect. Their lives through the ages shows us the changes we have probably seen as well, but through their eyes, those very changes were shown in a different light. Life on island, and how they depend on nature's blessings - these are the dimensions that captured my attention throughout - these are so different and at times unfathomable. The slices of history revolving the violence and massacres in Jeju were absolutely unknown to me, and like I am wont with such books, I lapped it up, even as they shook me to the core.
Mi-Ja and Young-Sook are unforgettable characters, and I will carry their friendship in my heart for a long time.
nrthstr78's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
deschatjes's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating look at a slice of Korean history & culture on JeJu island.