A review by vl_411
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

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

4.25

A melancoly story follows a Korean family through different generations of their time and experience in Japan. It does feel a bit aimless until the last 20% of the book when it ties it all together very well with the pachinko theme; that despite all their efforts to assimilate and the fact they were born and raised in this land with all the money they've earned - none of this helps as the system is rigged enough that only a small percentage succeed but enough that there's hope. Very heavy themes and different nuanced standpoints represented by each character. 
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