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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
i learned a lot about korean history which was amazing. i really liked the characters, but it was just so depressing without respite. it felt hopeless the whole time
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
informative
reflective
sad
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
The Plot :-
This book is a historical fiction based on pre independent South Korea which was annexed by Imperial Japan. The story spans between four generations of a Korean family whose struggles and pain are the main focus of the plot. The story starts in 1910 Korea then travels through 1930s Japan and finally to 1980s. The story is about Sunja who lived in a seaside village in a poor household but in a proud and loving family. At 16 years old Sunja is helping her mother run a boarding house when she meets and falls in love with Hansu a ruthless and rich merchant. Soon she is pregnant with Hansu’s child and finds out that he is already married which leaves Sunja in despair. But Sunja is soon saved by a Christian priest who willingly marries her and offers a new life in Japan.
My Thoughts:-
The story is actually divided in three parts which focuses on the lives of Sunja’s family through generations. Author had managed to capture the lives of immigrant Koreans as well as Koreans living under Imperial ruled Korea. The harsh realities of immigrant Koreans where they were only offered menial jobs and couldn't find a living space as they were treated like animals were heart wrenching to read. The book is easy to understand and story flows effortlessly. Even if the reader is not aware of the historic events between the two countries, author had done an incredible job of providing enough historical context that its never over bearing.
The book is nearly 500 pages long and it took me awhile to read through it. My favorite portion of the book was the first half where I cheered on Sunja to survive but as the story shifts to second half I was losing interest fast. The story does take some turns which I didn't prefer. Some characters which were important for sometimes just fades away without any answers. Even Sunja who was so brave and proud in the beginning just fades into the background in the end. In some aspects I was kept wanting but in some others the story dragged on. As a citizen of a British invaded country I related to the struggles and discrimination faced by the people of Korea. The nostalgia and rage in the stories stroked a chord in my heart. There are some triggering topics in this book so readers discretion is advised.
My Bookstagram:- https://www.instagram.com/the_clockworkreader/
This book is a historical fiction based on pre independent South Korea which was annexed by Imperial Japan. The story spans between four generations of a Korean family whose struggles and pain are the main focus of the plot. The story starts in 1910 Korea then travels through 1930s Japan and finally to 1980s. The story is about Sunja who lived in a seaside village in a poor household but in a proud and loving family. At 16 years old Sunja is helping her mother run a boarding house when she meets and falls in love with Hansu a ruthless and rich merchant. Soon she is pregnant with Hansu’s child and finds out that he is already married which leaves Sunja in despair. But Sunja is soon saved by a Christian priest who willingly marries her and offers a new life in Japan.
My Thoughts:-
The story is actually divided in three parts which focuses on the lives of Sunja’s family through generations. Author had managed to capture the lives of immigrant Koreans as well as Koreans living under Imperial ruled Korea. The harsh realities of immigrant Koreans where they were only offered menial jobs and couldn't find a living space as they were treated like animals were heart wrenching to read. The book is easy to understand and story flows effortlessly. Even if the reader is not aware of the historic events between the two countries, author had done an incredible job of providing enough historical context that its never over bearing.
The book is nearly 500 pages long and it took me awhile to read through it. My favorite portion of the book was the first half where I cheered on Sunja to survive but as the story shifts to second half I was losing interest fast. The story does take some turns which I didn't prefer. Some characters which were important for sometimes just fades away without any answers. Even Sunja who was so brave and proud in the beginning just fades into the background in the end. In some aspects I was kept wanting but in some others the story dragged on. As a citizen of a British invaded country I related to the struggles and discrimination faced by the people of Korea. The nostalgia and rage in the stories stroked a chord in my heart. There are some triggering topics in this book so readers discretion is advised.
My Bookstagram:- https://www.instagram.com/the_clockworkreader/
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Beautifully written but I definitely had to put the book down at times because it weighed heavily on me, and I needed a break. Tragic is a word that comes to mind, and some stories were quite heartbreaking. Min Jin Lee really made the characters come alive, and with all their flaws, they were so believable. If you would like to learn more about the Korean diaspora to Japan, this was definitely informative.