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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Willow isn't excited to get married so much as she's excited to travel to Hawaii with the prospect of education. Marriage is just the means. She sees a photograph of her future husband, hopes for good luck, and with her parents' best wishes, leaves for Hawaii at the age of 18. Along the way, she meets two more young women who are also considered picture brides. But upon arrival, these two women's husbands look nothing like the photographs they're sent. Willow isn't sure to be sorry for them or thankful that Taewan, her husband, looks similar to his photo.
Bound by duty and the hope for love, she adjusts to this strange new land that she'd been told grew money on trees. Her new family is not cruel to her and she receives a decent stipend with which to grocery shop.
This simple yet eloquent page-turner depicts an interesting time in both US and Korean history in which the US government allowed picture brides to deter Korean workers from drinking and gambling. As Willow comes to terms that her new husband is not a landowner, nor does his family have the means to educate her, she fills her time with embroidery and home-making, which later allows her to run her own business. She may not be educated in the way that she wants, but she is absolutely able to make a living for herself all the same.
A lovely and flowing story, great for those who want historical fiction about women with little brutality.
Bound by duty and the hope for love, she adjusts to this strange new land that she'd been told grew money on trees. Her new family is not cruel to her and she receives a decent stipend with which to grocery shop.
This simple yet eloquent page-turner depicts an interesting time in both US and Korean history in which the US government allowed picture brides to deter Korean workers from drinking and gambling. As Willow comes to terms that her new husband is not a landowner, nor does his family have the means to educate her, she fills her time with embroidery and home-making, which later allows her to run her own business. She may not be educated in the way that she wants, but she is absolutely able to make a living for herself all the same.
A lovely and flowing story, great for those who want historical fiction about women with little brutality.
_askthebookbug's review against another edition
4.0
In the early 1900s, the concept of Picture Brides was introduced in America and Hawai'i. Men who had migrated from Japan and Korea were single and indulged in drinking and gambling after working hours and to curb this activity, the American government approved brides to enter the State. The situation in Korea was very disorderly at the time what with Korea being under the Japanese rule. Poverty was at its peak and families survived with only one meal and so when they heard of picture brides, they dreamt of their daughters living a better life abroad.
When Willow is shown her groom’s picture, she is told that he is a landowner in Hawai'i and if she married him, she could even continue her education. Like Willow, many young girls wanted to help their families by working in Hawai'i and by sending money back to Korea. They saw no harm because the men in the photos looked handsome and well settled. Perhaps this was the only way they could ever repay their family, to make their burden a little less heavy. Willow, Hong-ju and Song-hwa travel across the sea to their paradise but what awaits them is something they had never imagined.
The story takes a predictable turn but it doesn’t get boring. The concept in itself was quite unique because I wasn’t aware of Picture Brides until then. The story is tactfully written, pulling the readers in but my only qualm was the ability to not connect with the protagonist.
All in all, I’m still glad to have received this copy because it was very interesting to read about the detailed political aspects of certain nations. If you’re interested in Historical Fiction then this book may just be up your alley.
Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
When Willow is shown her groom’s picture, she is told that he is a landowner in Hawai'i and if she married him, she could even continue her education. Like Willow, many young girls wanted to help their families by working in Hawai'i and by sending money back to Korea. They saw no harm because the men in the photos looked handsome and well settled. Perhaps this was the only way they could ever repay their family, to make their burden a little less heavy. Willow, Hong-ju and Song-hwa travel across the sea to their paradise but what awaits them is something they had never imagined.
The story takes a predictable turn but it doesn’t get boring. The concept in itself was quite unique because I wasn’t aware of Picture Brides until then. The story is tactfully written, pulling the readers in but my only qualm was the ability to not connect with the protagonist.
All in all, I’m still glad to have received this copy because it was very interesting to read about the detailed political aspects of certain nations. If you’re interested in Historical Fiction then this book may just be up your alley.
Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
fasmina's review against another edition
4.0
Three women, three completely different women crossing seas and getting married and living three different lives is the best summary of this book. How the women meet, separate and again have their lives tangled throughout is the beauty of this book.
Told in the perspective of Willow, who along with her two friends from the same part of Korea, goes to Hawai’i as picture brides. Picture brides are those who exchange photos between the bride and the groom and cross counties to meet their husband. How their find their husbands to be, whether they fulfilled their own dreams and how they survived makes up the book.
Since it’s set in the early 1900s, we witness the life in Korea and Hawai’i and the different struggles they had to face as migrants. The emotional and mental trauma that each picture bride goes through is heartbreaking. The last part of the book was unexpected and I was left shocked.
Since it’s a translation, the narration was a bit confusing, where the timeline jumped from one place to another and back to the same place in the same page, without any warning. Also, the last revelation is something that needed more and I would have loved to read more about it!
Many of the political aspects were a bit confusing for me because Emmy complete focus was on the women. Nevertheless, it’s a totally engaging story which centred around women who wanted to have the best for themselves but eventually sacrificed everything.
Told in the perspective of Willow, who along with her two friends from the same part of Korea, goes to Hawai’i as picture brides. Picture brides are those who exchange photos between the bride and the groom and cross counties to meet their husband. How their find their husbands to be, whether they fulfilled their own dreams and how they survived makes up the book.
Since it’s set in the early 1900s, we witness the life in Korea and Hawai’i and the different struggles they had to face as migrants. The emotional and mental trauma that each picture bride goes through is heartbreaking. The last part of the book was unexpected and I was left shocked.
Since it’s a translation, the narration was a bit confusing, where the timeline jumped from one place to another and back to the same place in the same page, without any warning. Also, the last revelation is something that needed more and I would have loved to read more about it!
Many of the political aspects were a bit confusing for me because Emmy complete focus was on the women. Nevertheless, it’s a totally engaging story which centred around women who wanted to have the best for themselves but eventually sacrificed everything.
kai3cll's review against another edition
2.0
I have misplaced my copy. I was reading the book for days and weeks but then it just went missing and I am sorry but I didn't try looking for it.
Someday I may find it behind my bookshelf and read it but right now, I haven't read the last section of the book with Pearl's pov. Regardless, I also do not think that reading it will make me change my rating in a greater way so here is the review~
___
If you want to know about the basic and top-of-the-iceberg (maybe a little underwater) information about Korean picture brides and immigrants in Hawaii then this is an okay read.
However, for me, it made me more curious than satisfied my curiosity. It was like a bland dish that make you want to eat something else. (unseasoned salad)
___
1) The information was meh.
I looked up more photographs, narrated interviews, history, etc. I especially discovered an old interview that was so similar to the book that I have a feeling the author read it and tried to include it in the book - which is great.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the original accounts more for their emotional depth that I felt the book lacked.
___
2) The wrong narrator
I feel that the book focuses on the wrong narrator. Willow doesn't have any strong opinions and she never takes a decision. Everything happens to her and she flows with it. Which is okay but she at least needs to have something.
Also, she has one of the rather simpler or even easier life. Hence, she isn't the best character to show or drive the topic the book is covering. Sadly, sometimes this type of narrator is great to focus on the other characters but the story goes on lengthy details about Willon while only brushing upon the other characters.
The book would have been okay even if it balanced the narratives with other characters but sadly did not.
___
Overall, I would say it was a good try and the writer can get better. I will definitely pick another book from the author but this one was disappointing.
Someday I may find it behind my bookshelf and read it but right now, I haven't read the last section of the book with Pearl's pov. Regardless, I also do not think that reading it will make me change my rating in a greater way so here is the review~
___
If you want to know about the basic and top-of-the-iceberg (maybe a little underwater) information about Korean picture brides and immigrants in Hawaii then this is an okay read.
However, for me, it made me more curious than satisfied my curiosity. It was like a bland dish that make you want to eat something else. (unseasoned salad)
___
1) The information was meh.
I looked up more photographs, narrated interviews, history, etc. I especially discovered an old interview that was so similar to the book that I have a feeling the author read it and tried to include it in the book - which is great.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the original accounts more for their emotional depth that I felt the book lacked.
___
2) The wrong narrator
I feel that the book focuses on the wrong narrator. Willow doesn't have any strong opinions and she never takes a decision. Everything happens to her and she flows with it. Which is okay but she at least needs to have something.
Also, she has one of the rather simpler or even easier life. Hence, she isn't the best character to show or drive the topic the book is covering. Sadly, sometimes this type of narrator is great to focus on the other characters but the story goes on lengthy details about Willon while only brushing upon the other characters.
The book would have been okay even if it balanced the narratives with other characters but sadly did not.
___
Overall, I would say it was a good try and the writer can get better. I will definitely pick another book from the author but this one was disappointing.
karbingut's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.25
danapr's review against another edition
4.0
This book definitely provided historical information that I was previously unaware of. I had no idea about this part of Hawaii’s history and I really enjoyed reading about the trials and determination of these brave women. Willow, Hongju and Songhwa were all so different and handled their unfortunate circumstances in their own ways but managed to maintain their friendships and make sacrifices for each other. None of the women got everything they hoped for when they immigrated from Korea to Hawaii as picture brides but they worked so hard to make better lives for themselves and especially for family members back in Korea and their children. I loved the strong female characters and their close bonds with each other and feel like the author did a great job of character development. Willow’s themes of history repeating itself in terms of male family members engaging in war was also a great addition to the story. Thanks to BookishFirst and Forge Books for the Advanced Reader Copy.
erinlf_24's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I am reading this book for a class, so that may change my perception of it, but I did really enjoy the story and learned a lot about this time in history. The women’s experiences in this book were truly heartbreaking, and illuminated stories about immigration that aren’t commonly talked about. The change in perspective wasn’t detrimental, I actually really enjoyed the perspective we got about Pearl and the realization she has. It did take away from the ending of Willow’s main story which felt a bit anticlimactic, but it was nice to see how her story went on.
cyireadbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Relying on a go-between, Willow, Hongju, and Songwha undertake a long and arduous journey from Korea to Hawaii. They were led to believe that they could get rich and prosper being picture brides — marrying Korean men now living and working in Hawaii. They would soon find out, however, that pictures and tales of riches did not tell the real story.
The Picture Bride is a poingnant and heartfelt tale of three young women who dared to leave the comforts of home in Korea to make a better life for themselves and their families. But moving to a foreign land with different customs and languages didn’t make life easier. Add in the fact that their picture bridegrooms weren’t exactly accurate. How could they have believed everything that was told to them? And what other lies would they uncover?
As the granddaughter of a Japan picture bride, I found author Geum-yi’s depictions of the life and times of Asian and other immigrants so relatable. I didn’t get to hear many stories from my mother or grandmother. But I do know from what little they told me, that life on the plantation was very difficult. They made due with what little they had. And it was not until they were able to move off the plantation that life got better.
It is evident that Geum-yi has conducted extensive research. As a former Hawaii resident, I am quite familiar with all of the streets, townships, and cities that Geum-yi mentions in her novel. That is what made The Picture Bride so engaging for me. It’s not like she picked out ficticious names, but she actually used the real names of streets and plantations. And yes, those plantation towns still exist till today. Add in well developed characters and you have a beautiful novel worthy of five exquisite stars.
I received a physical ARC from Forge Books through BookishFirst. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
The Picture Bride is a poingnant and heartfelt tale of three young women who dared to leave the comforts of home in Korea to make a better life for themselves and their families. But moving to a foreign land with different customs and languages didn’t make life easier. Add in the fact that their picture bridegrooms weren’t exactly accurate. How could they have believed everything that was told to them? And what other lies would they uncover?
As the granddaughter of a Japan picture bride, I found author Geum-yi’s depictions of the life and times of Asian and other immigrants so relatable. I didn’t get to hear many stories from my mother or grandmother. But I do know from what little they told me, that life on the plantation was very difficult. They made due with what little they had. And it was not until they were able to move off the plantation that life got better.
It is evident that Geum-yi has conducted extensive research. As a former Hawaii resident, I am quite familiar with all of the streets, townships, and cities that Geum-yi mentions in her novel. That is what made The Picture Bride so engaging for me. It’s not like she picked out ficticious names, but she actually used the real names of streets and plantations. And yes, those plantation towns still exist till today. Add in well developed characters and you have a beautiful novel worthy of five exquisite stars.
I received a physical ARC from Forge Books through BookishFirst. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
prismarina's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5