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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
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
White Mulberry is the story of a Korean woman who moves to Japan for a (better?) life.
The writing is easy with a definite flow that makes the reading process effortless. The characters are dealt with in an appropriate manner, not leaving much to be desired. The author pays significant attention to both Korean and Japanese cultures with due respect while also tackling issues of racism, colonialism & patriarchy. The mission statement, though very broad, delivers justice to what it set out to achieve easily. The initial budding romance sub plot was supercute as well!
The only thing this book lacked was good editing. In some places, it tends to repeat itself & drag on.
Overall, the experience with this one was actually pretty good!
The writing is easy with a definite flow that makes the reading process effortless. The characters are dealt with in an appropriate manner, not leaving much to be desired. The author pays significant attention to both Korean and Japanese cultures with due respect while also tackling issues of racism, colonialism & patriarchy. The mission statement, though very broad, delivers justice to what it set out to achieve easily. The initial budding romance sub plot was supercute as well!
The only thing this book lacked was good editing. In some places, it tends to repeat itself & drag on.
Overall, the experience with this one was actually pretty good!
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Based on a true story, White Mulberry follows the story of a young girl living in occupied Korea. Forced to move to Japan to continue her education and escape an unwanted marriage, Miyoung must navigate love and loss, freedom and persecution in a country that promises her a future in exchange for rejecting her past.
Easton draws from the stories of her family to paint a picture of Korea during a period seldom talked about. Set between 1928 and 1943, the impact of Japan's growing military efforts in the war is felt deeply by those under occupation. Rich in historical and cultural details the novel brings to light the hardships endured by Koreans both living at home and in Japan, whilst acknowledging the community and sense of identity people were able to preserve in the most unlikely circumstances.
Peppered with traditional Korean and Japanese phrases along with detailed descriptions of authentic dishes, cultural practices and historic events, Easton painted an immersive picture of life in both Korea and Japan that draws the reader in. Unfortunately this attention to detail didn't extend to the dialogue which felt stilted and lacked finesse. As a result I found it difficult to create an emotional connection to the characters. The novel suffered from a 'show me don't tell me dilemma' wherein we were told about the protagonists feelings and thoughts on a situation, rather being shown them through storytelling. In some places it felt like a recitation of events rather than a novel, perhaps because -as Easton explains - it is a fictionalised account of her own grandmothers life. I'm left wondering if the book would have fared better as a biographical account of events rather than a novel.
Easton draws from the stories of her family to paint a picture of Korea during a period seldom talked about. Set between 1928 and 1943, the impact of Japan's growing military efforts in the war is felt deeply by those under occupation. Rich in historical and cultural details the novel brings to light the hardships endured by Koreans both living at home and in Japan, whilst acknowledging the community and sense of identity people were able to preserve in the most unlikely circumstances.
Peppered with traditional Korean and Japanese phrases along with detailed descriptions of authentic dishes, cultural practices and historic events, Easton painted an immersive picture of life in both Korea and Japan that draws the reader in. Unfortunately this attention to detail didn't extend to the dialogue which felt stilted and lacked finesse. As a result I found it difficult to create an emotional connection to the characters. The novel suffered from a 'show me don't tell me dilemma' wherein we were told about the protagonists feelings and thoughts on a situation, rather being shown them through storytelling. In some places it felt like a recitation of events rather than a novel, perhaps because -as Easton explains - it is a fictionalised account of her own grandmothers life. I'm left wondering if the book would have fared better as a biographical account of events rather than a novel.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is a novel inspired by the true-to-life story of a young Korean woman who defied all odds and overcame poverty, patriarchy, and the racism that threatened to shatter her dreams and destroy her spirit.
Miyoung's story is marked by heartache and loss, and this profound sadness is so palpable that I, as a reader, found myself wholeheartedly rooting for her until the very end!
I loved that she's a woman who refuses to give up and she's loyal to those she loves. This wasn't easy, especially given the challenging circumstances of the story's setting in 1928, during Japan's occupation of Korea. Amidst rising anti-Korean sentiment, Koreans residing in Kyoto were forced to conceal their true identities, learn to speak the Japanese language flawlessly, and adopt Japanese names to avoid arousing suspicion and secure employment.
Midway through the book, I felt the pacing slow down and some parts felt repetitive, but despite that, I found it to be a satisfying read on the whole.
Some parts of this book reminded me of Min Jin Lee's Pachinko. So if you have enjoyed that book, you'll love White Mulberry.
I secured a digital e-ARC of this book from Netgalley.
Miyoung's story is marked by heartache and loss, and this profound sadness is so palpable that I, as a reader, found myself wholeheartedly rooting for her until the very end!
I loved that she's a woman who refuses to give up and she's loyal to those she loves. This wasn't easy, especially given the challenging circumstances of the story's setting in 1928, during Japan's occupation of Korea. Amidst rising anti-Korean sentiment, Koreans residing in Kyoto were forced to conceal their true identities, learn to speak the Japanese language flawlessly, and adopt Japanese names to avoid arousing suspicion and secure employment.
Midway through the book, I felt the pacing slow down and some parts felt repetitive, but despite that, I found it to be a satisfying read on the whole.
Some parts of this book reminded me of Min Jin Lee's Pachinko. So if you have enjoyed that book, you'll love White Mulberry.
I secured a digital e-ARC of this book from Netgalley.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent