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victoria_catherine_shaw 's review for:
Pachinko
by Min Jin Lee
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
Min Jin Lee's Pachinko is a sweeping, multi-generational saga that follows one Korean family from the early 1900s through decades of hardship and difficult choices. It begins with Sunja, a young woman who, after becoming pregnant outside of marriage, leaves Korea for Japan, a decision that shapes the lives of her descendants for generations.
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The novel starts with power and precision. I found Sunja’s story deeply compelling, and Lee’s writing is rich with detail. Her characters and settings are evocative and vividly imagined. Sunja is a beautifully drawn protagonist: sympathetic, quietly resilient, and unforgettable.
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However, as the story expanded to include more of her extended family, particularly her grandchildren, I felt the narrative lost some of its focus. The large cast became hard to follow, and the intimacy of Sunja’s original journey felt diluted.
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Despite that, I absolutely think Pachinko is worth reading. It opened my eyes to a part of history I knew little about - the experience of Koreans living as outsiders in Japan - and left me wanting to learn more. For that alone, it’s a book I’ll remember.
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📚
The novel starts with power and precision. I found Sunja’s story deeply compelling, and Lee’s writing is rich with detail. Her characters and settings are evocative and vividly imagined. Sunja is a beautifully drawn protagonist: sympathetic, quietly resilient, and unforgettable.
📚
However, as the story expanded to include more of her extended family, particularly her grandchildren, I felt the narrative lost some of its focus. The large cast became hard to follow, and the intimacy of Sunja’s original journey felt diluted.
📚
Despite that, I absolutely think Pachinko is worth reading. It opened my eyes to a part of history I knew little about - the experience of Koreans living as outsiders in Japan - and left me wanting to learn more. For that alone, it’s a book I’ll remember.
📚
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Racism, Suicide, Abortion, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail