A review by mr_sosotris
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

challenging emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Beautiful, sweeping, devastating. I loved this book. Has the scope of Gone with the Wind, but handles discussions of racism and the struggles of minorities in societies who work to keep them down with much more nuance and intelligence.  The familial relationships are so beautifully painted, and I love how the elegant prose keeps the book from feeling sentimental or melodramatic. It takes cues from Victorian novels like David Copperfield, but feels so much more grounded. I was swept away by this beautiful story, and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys family sagas that span periods of great cultural upheaval.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings