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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m conflicted with this book. The writing was good, and I learned a ton. The book did feel way longer than it was. It was a bit slow at times, but didn’t become much of a slog. My biggest gripes are with the characters I think - and how young-sook was such a self righteous stubborn asshole towards her friend. And there was no redemption until she’s like 90? I dunno, maybe this is just not the story I want to read then. I don’t feel empathy for people or characters that act or behave like that. The only time the writing really made me feel anything was at the very end when she was talking to her granddaughters, and the fact that I didn’t care more at any other point about anyone feels like something went wrong with connecting me to the characters. I also just felt like this entire book was just SAD, and I don’t think that was the intent. I didn’t see anything that was joyful, or like a happy consolation for the miserable lives they lead. I wish there was more reflection on their situations, it felt too hollow without it, and almost like an acceptance and agreement that living how they lived was normal and ok. One thought I had many times was how grateful I am to be living in a progressive western (NOT America) country in present day. The past has not been kind to women.
challenging
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars. Not my favorite of Lisa See’s books but I really enjoyed learning about the Haenyeo and their incredible free diving work and unique female-centered culture on Jeju island. I did not know about the horrendous 4 3 incident/uprising which happened at the beginning of the Korean War. This is one of historical events the book describes. The story of Mi-Ja and Young-Sook’s friendship was interesting but I was disappointed by the lack of full resolution at the end. I also thought the research narrative felt tacked on to get in some interesting physiological facts about the Haenyeo.
This epic tale by Lisa See tells of fiercely independent Korean women. The main character's life is nothing short of tragic in so many ways, and often I'd find myself believing no one ought to suffer as much as she did, but yet I couldn't stop myself from reading more. The layers of relationships, a mother's love...it was all so evocative. I also loved all the details about the sea women (Haenyeo), and I felt I learned a good amount about Korean history.
adventurous
dark
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:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a beautiful novel. The story of courage, friendship, strength, trauma, and tradition. The story follows women in their lives before, during, and after the Japanese occupation of Korea. It bounces from the past to present in a well-done way that’s easy to follow.
The narration is fantastic and it’s a great audio experience.
The narration is fantastic and it’s a great audio experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, Murder, Colonisation, War
Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is nothing better than a well researched historical fiction novel.It spans decades, following Japanese colonialism of Korea in the 1930s and 40s, World War II, the Korean War, and the present day.
This book was extensive in its detail of the fictional lives of its two principal protagonists Mi-Ja and Young-Sook.
i really didn’t know much about the history of Korea leading up to North and South Korea . I didn’t know what the Bukchon massacre was or the importance of Jeju, or the political significance that resulted in some horrific things that happened there. I also found that i was learning things I never knew of, about a culture and a country I didn’t know alot about despite my knowledge of World Cultures and histories.
A book seeped in detail, filled with sorrow. Overall it was a riveting story of strength, valor, and fortitude.
Im always interested in other countries histories and cultures as a hobby and now i will be researching the history and culture of jeju and of the Korea's and how the Japanese affected Korea's history
There is nothing better than a well researched historical fiction novel.It spans decades, following Japanese colonialism of Korea in the 1930s and 40s, World War II, the Korean War, and the present day.
This book was extensive in its detail of the fictional lives of its two principal protagonists Mi-Ja and Young-Sook.
i really didn’t know much about the history of Korea leading up to North and South Korea . I didn’t know what the Bukchon massacre was or the importance of Jeju, or the political significance that resulted in some horrific things that happened there. I also found that i was learning things I never knew of, about a culture and a country I didn’t know alot about despite my knowledge of World Cultures and histories.
A book seeped in detail, filled with sorrow. Overall it was a riveting story of strength, valor, and fortitude.
Im always interested in other countries histories and cultures as a hobby and now i will be researching the history and culture of jeju and of the Korea's and how the Japanese affected Korea's history
Story: Asian friends who travel together and then one marries the awful man. Can’t save her friend’s son. Don’t speak again. Daughter and granddaughter come find the old woman still on the island.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-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