A review by krida
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

 History has failed us, but no matter.

This book has knocked the wind out of me. It’s almost surreal how real this is. Once I started this, I could not put it down. I was so engrossed in the richness of the story from Hoonie’s life to Yangjin to Sunja and all her children. It was as if I was there with them through it - witnessing and living in that time. I had little knowledge of the Korean-Japanese conflict as it was not something I studied formally but I am no stranger to the harsh realities of Japan’s war crimes. The book may be fiction but the backdrop of the war coupled with Japan’s cruelty is far from it. 

The characters felt very real to me - almost as if they were alive, real. I wanted to know more about them and their lives, I wanted to see them succeed. Their struggles, their internal conflict, their choices are so human I found myself relating to them even at times when you would find their actions questionable. These people are fictitious but their stories are real - very much so. 

This is a book truly worth reading. Highly highly highly recommend.