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amygibbs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide
barbaraskalberg's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 I had no idea thousands of Korean women (and girls) were forced into prostitution by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation of Korea before WW2. There were a couple of plot nuances I had issue with (I didn't love the way the "old" story was told through the voice of the grandmother), but the actual meat of the novel is amazing. Looking forward to the book club discussion.
christinebeswick's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I had no idea that Korean women and even girls as young as thirteen or fourteen had been forced to serve as "comfort women" to Japanese soldiers during the second world war! It's a shocking, tragic, and ultimately, redemptive story of one woman's survival against incredible odds.
muerte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
It’s almost anti DPRK but either way a solid read.
bookish_blonde's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! What a remarkable book. I can't believe I haven't heard anyone talk about this book. Its WWII historical fiction about what the Japanese did in Korea. Great read. Rape trigger warning and hard to read, but then again it always is. Such a touching story. All the feels highly reccomend!
susublb's review against another edition
4.0
If I could have given this book 3.5 stars, I would have, but 4 it will be. Why? This book was tough to put down. It told the gut-wrenching story of the Japanese occupation of Korea and a young girl and her sister who were sent from their home to become "comfort women". The story goes back and forth between present day and various points in history and there is a parallel storyline about a Korean-born American adoptee who goes to Korea in search of her birth mother and a national Korean treasure that is explored. While the story was riveting, the ending was a little overly dramatic and unsatisfying. Will I read the sequel? Yes. I will read the sequel. It's not brilliant prose or literature, but the story is engaging and a nice escape.
tobia's review against another edition
5.0
This was an intense read. The first 20 % are tough to go through and heart shattering. After that it gets a bit easier but nevertheless it is not a "pleasure" read. Still I flew through the book and forgot everything around me.
I like historical fiction and this novel was well crafted and had and an intriguing plot. I’ve learnt about a culture I knew next to nothing about. And yet it felt somewhat familiar growing up in East Germany.
I was aspecially impressed how graceful the whole topic was told. While it was often brutal and detailed it was never vulgar or pervers. I also felt the feelings of woman were well captured and that is not always the case with male authors. Chapeau.
I highly recommend reading this book. However be aware that it is no beach read.
I like historical fiction and this novel was well crafted and had and an intriguing plot. I’ve learnt about a culture I knew next to nothing about. And yet it felt somewhat familiar growing up in East Germany.
I was aspecially impressed how graceful the whole topic was told. While it was often brutal and detailed it was never vulgar or pervers. I also felt the feelings of woman were well captured and that is not always the case with male authors. Chapeau.
I highly recommend reading this book. However be aware that it is no beach read.
m_h_dahl's review against another edition
4.0
A very important book about a terrible, horrific chapter in the history of Korea and Japan during World War II. Usually I like reading dark stories, but this one was far too dark and uncomfortable for me. The fact that the action in this book is based on true events makes it a gruesome read - with small flashes of light from brave women that no one could break.
I was physically nauseous through almost the entire book. I was shaken. I cried.
This book made me really sad.
I learned a lot about the history during the occupation of Korea, though.
I was physically nauseous through almost the entire book. I was shaken. I cried.
This book made me really sad.
I learned a lot about the history during the occupation of Korea, though.
cait_mccarron's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Murder, Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Suicide