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A review by coffmanmolly73
The Picture Bride by Lee Geum-yi
4.0
The book begins in 1917 during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Willow is a Korean teenager and is presented with a chance to find a better life in Hawaii as a picture bride. After she and several other Korean girls make the long journey to Hawaii, they discover their husbands were not always truthful, having sent photographs from their younger years or having implied that they were wealthier than they truly were. Willow navigates her new life, frequently drawing strength from the bonds she shares with her fellow picture brides. In addition to adjusting to married life, Willow encounters obstacles related to diverging loyalties in the Korean struggle for independence.
Covering the span of many years, the story is an interesting look into a part of history I was only mildly acquainted with. I felt an attachment to Willow and admired her strength, and I enjoyed seeing how she grew as a woman. As a high school teacher, I enjoy reading historical fiction from different cultures and plan to recommend this book to students as well. It is important for students to see themselves in literature as well as to learn about history that they might not otherwise encounter. While I enjoyed the book overall, I kept waiting for a turning point that never really came; the last part of the book seemed to make an attempt at such a turning point, but I found it somewhat dissatisfying. The book is a translation, which may also impact the writing style; in places, I couldn’t stop at the end of a chapter, but in other places, the writing seems somewhat superficial. Still, I enjoyed the book and the impression these women, especially Willow, have made on me.
Covering the span of many years, the story is an interesting look into a part of history I was only mildly acquainted with. I felt an attachment to Willow and admired her strength, and I enjoyed seeing how she grew as a woman. As a high school teacher, I enjoy reading historical fiction from different cultures and plan to recommend this book to students as well. It is important for students to see themselves in literature as well as to learn about history that they might not otherwise encounter. While I enjoyed the book overall, I kept waiting for a turning point that never really came; the last part of the book seemed to make an attempt at such a turning point, but I found it somewhat dissatisfying. The book is a translation, which may also impact the writing style; in places, I couldn’t stop at the end of a chapter, but in other places, the writing seems somewhat superficial. Still, I enjoyed the book and the impression these women, especially Willow, have made on me.