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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
No
that should be me
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
“Clay can be salvaged…Jungmin whispered.”
Perfect read for springtime. A story of renewal, clay work is a metaphor for life. Using the steps required to make a piece of pottery is mirrored in the protagonist's own life as she takes her first steps to reshape her’s.
Jungmin is burnt out. Stress in a highly demanding and thankless job causes her to throw it all in. Little by little she kind of becomes a shut-in. She finally musters a little courage to take a walk and stumbles upon a pottery shop. The subtleties used by the owner (life coach) to get Jungmin to stay and give pottery work a try is masterful.
Life is malleable. It takes a steady dose of patience and persistence to make something out of it that you can use and that will bring you satisfaction. It is unique and its imperfections should also be embraced as sometimes it’s the imperfections that bring the piece character and draws others in.
Now, what I am describing are lessons that are delicately woven into the story. The author’s use of language is soft and relaxing, and she takes great care not to beat you over the head with the moral of the story. A friend recommended this one and I am glad Libby came through when it did. Thanks for the recommendation, Elwira! Very sweet story.
Perfect read for springtime. A story of renewal, clay work is a metaphor for life. Using the steps required to make a piece of pottery is mirrored in the protagonist's own life as she takes her first steps to reshape her’s.
Jungmin is burnt out. Stress in a highly demanding and thankless job causes her to throw it all in. Little by little she kind of becomes a shut-in. She finally musters a little courage to take a walk and stumbles upon a pottery shop. The subtleties used by the owner (life coach) to get Jungmin to stay and give pottery work a try is masterful.
Life is malleable. It takes a steady dose of patience and persistence to make something out of it that you can use and that will bring you satisfaction. It is unique and its imperfections should also be embraced as sometimes it’s the imperfections that bring the piece character and draws others in.
Now, what I am describing are lessons that are delicately woven into the story. The author’s use of language is soft and relaxing, and she takes great care not to beat you over the head with the moral of the story. A friend recommended this one and I am glad Libby came through when it did. Thanks for the recommendation, Elwira! Very sweet story.
The Healing Season of Pottery by Yeon Somin, translated by Clare Richards, is a charming and heartwarming novel that explores themes of healing, community, and finding purpose through the art of pottery.
This story revolves around Jungmin, a 30-year old broadcast writer who after experiencing constant burnout and depressions decides to quit her job and isolates herself. The initial introduction to Jungmin shows how lonely a soul can be. She discovers a local pottery studio named Soyo and is offered a cup of coffee. Soon, that destined meetup turns to Jungmin joining pottery sessions and hence, begins the journey of healing through the practice of ceramics and the relationships she develops as a result.
Korean books are my cozy reads and this one is a great choice due to below reasons:
1. Emphasis on Community, friendships and connections
2. Themes of Healing and Transformation
3. Cozy winter vibes
4. Korean culture Context
5. Critique on Modern Life
6. Uses Pottery as a metaphor for life
The pottery studio becomes a hub where Jungmin forms meaningful relationships with a diverse group of individuals, each facing their own challenges. These connections provide her with a sense of belonging and support, emphasizing the role of community in healing. The novel highlights how “the kindness shown by other people” contributes to the healing process. The story suggests that there is value in slowing down, reassessing priorities, and finding meaning beyond the “rat race”.
The process of pottery is used as a powerful metaphor for life. The need for patience when working with clay parallels the need for patience in life. The firing of pottery is likened to “lighting a fire in your heart”, and the hard nature of the finished ceramics is seen to mirror the hues of nature. Imperfections in the pottery represent the flaws and struggles of life, demonstrating the idea that “it takes more than one attempt for them to come out right”.
This story revolves around Jungmin, a 30-year old broadcast writer who after experiencing constant burnout and depressions decides to quit her job and isolates herself. The initial introduction to Jungmin shows how lonely a soul can be. She discovers a local pottery studio named Soyo and is offered a cup of coffee. Soon, that destined meetup turns to Jungmin joining pottery sessions and hence, begins the journey of healing through the practice of ceramics and the relationships she develops as a result.
Korean books are my cozy reads and this one is a great choice due to below reasons:
1. Emphasis on Community, friendships and connections
2. Themes of Healing and Transformation
3. Cozy winter vibes
4. Korean culture Context
5. Critique on Modern Life
6. Uses Pottery as a metaphor for life
The pottery studio becomes a hub where Jungmin forms meaningful relationships with a diverse group of individuals, each facing their own challenges. These connections provide her with a sense of belonging and support, emphasizing the role of community in healing. The novel highlights how “the kindness shown by other people” contributes to the healing process. The story suggests that there is value in slowing down, reassessing priorities, and finding meaning beyond the “rat race”.
The process of pottery is used as a powerful metaphor for life. The need for patience when working with clay parallels the need for patience in life. The firing of pottery is likened to “lighting a fire in your heart”, and the hard nature of the finished ceramics is seen to mirror the hues of nature. Imperfections in the pottery represent the flaws and struggles of life, demonstrating the idea that “it takes more than one attempt for them to come out right”.
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
This was such a sweet and gentle read. I truly felt like I was going through the seasons with Jungmin. I really related to her throughout the novel. Life is hard at times and some seasons are better than others.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
emotional
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:
Yes
“Just because I work in a field unrelated to my major, does that mean the decision I made when I was nineteen was wrong? Of course not. It was the decision that made me who I am today. So no matter whose decision it is, go with the flow. Only then will you master how to row the boat.”
This quote and the scene about Jun's dilemma made me tear up. As well, I feel my heart aches when I read Jihye's parts in the story as I can relate to her situation. It's a nice read and it healed me.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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:
Complicated
I found this book to be quite average! The characters lacked depth and the story too was mediocre. Reading it made me realise not every comfort fiction is decent!