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A review by christynhoover
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This is the saga in 1932-1989 of an extended Korean family in Korea and, fairly shortly, in Japan. The story follows Korean family members who have emigrated to Japan and the remainder of the saga unfolds there. It details the ENDLESS hardships of generations of the Korean family in Japan.
I was unaware of the rampant Japanese prejudice against Koreans.
It's mainly heartbreaking although two matronly figures persevere despite all.
At the book's close I'm left wondering if there has been any CHANGE in the treatment of Koreans by Japanese society and whether the path to citizenship has "opened up" at all since 1989 (when the book ends).
I was unaware of the rampant Japanese prejudice against Koreans.
It's mainly heartbreaking although two matronly figures persevere despite all.
At the book's close I'm left wondering if there has been any CHANGE in the treatment of Koreans by Japanese society and whether the path to citizenship has "opened up" at all since 1989 (when the book ends).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Colonisation