A review by sweetearlgrey
Shoko's Smile: Stories by Choi Eunyoung

5.0

In this collection each story is exceptional in its own right, but when read together they intersect thematically to create a powerful work. The stories are written in a reflective style in the first person, giving us a very intimate look into the characters' innermost thoughts and feelings. There are multiple stories that centre around platonic love, and as always I am extremely pleased to see these types of relationships explored in depth within a fictional piece. While there is an overarching theme of love, this collection also explores themes that include but are not limited to; generational/cultural differences, miscommunication, and political issues. These themes serve to perfectly capture the type of society and culture that the characters inhabit, and to point a finger at some of the inequalities born out of that cultural context.