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eeewhysee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
kristensreadingnook's review against another edition
4.0
For fans of Pachinko, The Evening Hero is a family saga of a Korean immigrant family in Minnesota. There are so many themes in this book and Myung-Ok Lee does a marvelous job with each one, from the obvious ones like immigration and racism, to more subtle themes like healthcare in rural America and aging, this book is so well thought out and brilliantly written.
There is a great interview with the author on the Thoughts From a Page podcast which brought even more depth to the story.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for a digital ARC and finished copy.
There is a great interview with the author on the Thoughts From a Page podcast which brought even more depth to the story.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for a digital ARC and finished copy.
patchworkculture's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bookapotamus's review against another edition
4.0
The Evening Hero released last year and I’m so glad I finally was able to read it.
Alternating between past and present, Korea and America, it follows Dr. Yungman Kwak, an obstetrician living in Minnesota whose hospital has suddenly closed and he’s left wondering what happened to his American dream. When he left Korea almost 50 years ago - he also left behind a secret. And just as he’s dealing with so much uncertainty in his life, a letter arrives.
There is so much to unpack in this sweeping saga of an immigrants life. Told with such beautifully smooth prose - it’s a pleasure to read and absorb every word. The perils of war, the loneliness an immigrant faces, perpetual racism, a flawed healthcare system, and the push and pull of family, all build the foundation to this heartbreakingly stunning story. And though it sounds quite heavy, there’s quite a bit humorous moments neatly tucked into Yungman’s thoughts - and I loved reading about this brave man who has tried his entire life to just do his very best.
A gorgeous novel of how our past makes us, how a better future is uncertain, and how the present is a longing for both.
Alternating between past and present, Korea and America, it follows Dr. Yungman Kwak, an obstetrician living in Minnesota whose hospital has suddenly closed and he’s left wondering what happened to his American dream. When he left Korea almost 50 years ago - he also left behind a secret. And just as he’s dealing with so much uncertainty in his life, a letter arrives.
There is so much to unpack in this sweeping saga of an immigrants life. Told with such beautifully smooth prose - it’s a pleasure to read and absorb every word. The perils of war, the loneliness an immigrant faces, perpetual racism, a flawed healthcare system, and the push and pull of family, all build the foundation to this heartbreakingly stunning story. And though it sounds quite heavy, there’s quite a bit humorous moments neatly tucked into Yungman’s thoughts - and I loved reading about this brave man who has tried his entire life to just do his very best.
A gorgeous novel of how our past makes us, how a better future is uncertain, and how the present is a longing for both.
jpalba's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
catherinept's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
hayleyjb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
becsmars's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
zaychiki's review against another edition
5.0
One of my absolute favorite reads in a while.
There are so many points where I genuinely laughed out loud, and the humor of the book is warm and relatable.
It’s also a great satire on the throes of late stage capitalism in America. Partly hilarious, partly depressing, entirely on point because it’s what we live in. Dr. Kwak’s eyes are the perfect to view it from.
The chapters on his life in Korea are incredibly done. Somehow Lee manages to switch emotional gears effortlessly. In the 48 hours it took to read this book (I was addicted) I laughed and also wept. It’s not easy to write such nuanced emotions for both an individual character and an entire people and time.
As a first gen American, despite hailing from a different region, so much rang inevitably true of Kwak’s experience and monologues. And there’s a scene toward the end that I won’t spoil, but I howled with laughter and loved that Lee managed to show yet another facet of this fantastic hero of the story.
I know this isn’t a great review, as I’m having a hard time verbalizing all my thoughts on this fantastic read. But I will say: Read this. It’s truly a special, once in an era kind of read.
There are so many points where I genuinely laughed out loud, and the humor of the book is warm and relatable.
It’s also a great satire on the throes of late stage capitalism in America. Partly hilarious, partly depressing, entirely on point because it’s what we live in. Dr. Kwak’s eyes are the perfect to view it from.
The chapters on his life in Korea are incredibly done. Somehow Lee manages to switch emotional gears effortlessly. In the 48 hours it took to read this book (I was addicted) I laughed and also wept. It’s not easy to write such nuanced emotions for both an individual character and an entire people and time.
As a first gen American, despite hailing from a different region, so much rang inevitably true of Kwak’s experience and monologues. And there’s a scene toward the end that I won’t spoil, but I howled with laughter and loved that Lee managed to show yet another facet of this fantastic hero of the story.
I know this isn’t a great review, as I’m having a hard time verbalizing all my thoughts on this fantastic read. But I will say: Read this. It’s truly a special, once in an era kind of read.