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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
funny
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
This book was very well written and the characters beautifully thought out and executed. The protagonist, Casey, is a complicated and deeply flawed character who is self-sabotaging and sometimes difficult to support, but she is also a strong badass woman who is willing to put someone in their place and defend her stance and identity in a way that’s admirable.
My biggest criticism of the book is that…not much happens. Certainly not enough to justify 600+ pages. The themes of identity and class and of the pressures and complications that come with being a Korean immigrant family are compelling, but there’s not really a major event or climax that defines the book. Casey’s life is interesting, but not necessarily that different from mine or anyone else in their 20s living in a city. I think it would’ve been more satisfying with a unique, central event that defines the story.
Also, why does literally everyone in this book want to fuck each other all the time?
My biggest criticism of the book is that…not much happens. Certainly not enough to justify 600+ pages. The themes of identity and class and of the pressures and complications that come with being a Korean immigrant family are compelling, but there’s not really a major event or climax that defines the book. Casey’s life is interesting, but not necessarily that different from mine or anyone else in their 20s living in a city. I think it would’ve been more satisfying with a unique, central event that defines the story.
Also, why does literally everyone in this book want to fuck each other all the time?
funny
reflective
slow-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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, Classism
unfortunately this is no Pachinko…I don’t think I ever truly got into it or connected much to the characters, I remember even thinking why is this even a chapter at one point. I stuck around for the 20 hour audio book though so that has to mean something (?) I appreciate the hats though
also it felt like everyone cheated on eachother like 4737834 whew the infidelity
also it felt like everyone cheated on eachother like 4737834 whew the infidelity
I wanted to read this as I was intrigued by the blurb and I’m glad I did.
This book taught me about Korean-American culture, Wall Street culture and the struggle of social mobility. As much as it taught me it made me feel sad. Sad about the reality of working immigrants, how common adultery is and how much our parents sacrifice to move to a foreign country for a better life. The characters were flawed and made mistakes but it felt real. I like that the novel featured relevant topics such as the fetishisation of Asian women, date rape and gambling. I wanted to keep reading to know what happened to Casey, her sister and Ella.
This book taught me about Korean-American culture, Wall Street culture and the struggle of social mobility. As much as it taught me it made me feel sad. Sad about the reality of working immigrants, how common adultery is and how much our parents sacrifice to move to a foreign country for a better life. The characters were flawed and made mistakes but it felt real. I like that the novel featured relevant topics such as the fetishisation of Asian women, date rape and gambling. I wanted to keep reading to know what happened to Casey, her sister and Ella.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes