Reviews

The Evening Hero by Marie Myung-Ok Lee

vlaniganfoffimreading's review against another edition

4.0

This is a story about the American dream and what it truly means to Dr. Yungman Kwak. His dream was to leave Korea and become a Dr and he did just that, but his life in America doesn’t exactly reflect the true American dream. I like the dual timelines in this one. 

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Thank you #SimonandSchuster and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

oliviaalee's review against another edition

5.0

absolutely incredible read. beautifully written, researched, and thought out. every part of this book flows seamlessly between stories of war-torn families, language, social commentary on the american healthcare system (as well as other things), and cultural imagery. would recommend a thousand times over.

marielee207's review against another edition

5.0

If you liked this novel, especially the under-represented theme of how war affects common, unheralded people, you will also like Nancy Krikorian's All the Light There Was

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15814504-all-the-light-there-was?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=JLL0vln1Oa&rank=1

jen77's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.0

audreygwood's review against another edition

hopeful informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

subdue_provide75's review against another edition

slow-paced

1.75

bookphia's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

wherethewildreadsare's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

While this book had a loose plot to it, I would view this more of a character-driven self reflection of one's life. It was deeply emotional, and an eye-opening narrative for life as a Korean in America as well as in Korea during the war. It's brutally honest and way different from the American rhetoric as it relates to the Korean war and how America has historically treated Asians. It's slower paced but Yungman and his wife's story are deeply personal and a perfect reminder that while someone may have a different culture, race, religion, or creed, we're all human and deserved to be treated with kindness and respect.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, and Racism

Minor: Death of parent

matildawormwood's review against another edition

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

3.5

dreesreads's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0