Scan barcode
babsellen's review against another edition
5.0
Although I found a few instances where the author was a bit cryptic in his wording of the narrator's thoughts, I was very taken in by this book. It skillfully explores the inner and public life of a Korean American man in his 30s. The narrator is very much in love with his wife but is driven by a job that feeds his compulsion to escape into invisibility, which in turn feeds his identity as an outsider. Spurred by tragedy, his wife leaves him for a time, blaming his job as an irreconcilable reason for her inability to connect with him anymore. But there is more to it. The tragedy is revealed in layers as is the couple's life together before the present day. In the mix is a window into the Korean culture that is carried with its emigrants to their new land. Throw in some compelling political intrigue, and I was smitten. It just took awhile to get there.
silodear's review against another edition
i had a hard time getting into this book. while i was captivated by the aspects of this story that were focused on relationships and assimilation, i could not get past the spy stuff. i'm surprised at myself. maybe i'll give it another try in the future.
walruz's review against another edition
3.0
The narrative is uneven--too many of the characters and relationships just dry up--but the insights into the dilemma of the self (I suppose most topically for the immigrant experience) are compelling, if at times a bit hard to decipher.
eabbott02's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jennybee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
syafa's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
Reading this gave me sad K-drama vibes but then actually it was sad in ways that I wasn't expecting based on the beginning. The parts that were emotional for me were the descriptions of his Asian parents and how they described things that I never felt were weird and were such a big part of my experience that they never stood out. But now that I'm here and I don't experience them anymore, reading about them makes me realise I miss them.
serenacorley's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ellenjoannecampbell's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting mix of genres and themes. Surprisingly little of the book focussed on Henry Park's life as the son of a Korean immigrant. Relationships were key, as well as his life as a spy and how that affects him. It was a good read.
jynaito's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Henry Park is a second-generation Korean American. A spy for a private firm, he is tasked with infiltrating the campaign of a New York City politician who is also Korean American, ultimately requiring that he betray one of his own. Between updates on his assignment, Park reflects on his turbulent relationship with his now-deceased father and paints a portrait of his interracial marriage—broken, traumatized, then miraculously stitched back together again. Chang-rae Lee’s thoughtful, elegant prose touches on grief, identity, morality, and assimilation. Though it was first published in 1995, this story would not be much different if it were told today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Cancer, and Child death
Minor: War, Violence, Infidelity, and Murder