Pachinko

This is a novel about a great many things but the strongest thread is about the search for a shared humanity and the crushing struggle to escape poverty. Min Jin Lee also covers what it means to be loved and have value in one place or another. There is also the wrestling match between the blissful ignorance of youthful optimism and where it collides with the seasoned incredulity and cynicism of experience. The competing perspectives at the same time highlight the common desires for love, belonging, and purpose, and pride. Pride is a looming presence; it kills and it leads to unnecessary suffering. Min Jin Lee’s storytelling techniques are amazing and give the book added depth and intrigue. The sprawling narrative takes you through generations of events and time in a way that you forget to notice the leaps forward and never want it to end. There are crushing moments and then truly beautiful ones that come together to create a whirling emotional roller coaster. I was reminded of “Grave of the Fireflies” in certain parts. My mouth gaping in shock at a sudden turn of events, in others tears brimming on the edge, and still with room left for laughter and joy elsewhere. This book is gripping and powerful in the same way that a Marquez novel is. The type of story that leaves a permanent imprint on you. Every page oozing with the perfect balance of drama and life. What makes it even more relevant is the issue of racial prejudice that mirrors America’s own zealous bigotry and something I was not fully aware of within the Asian community. There were moments were I thought you could swap Black for Korean and the story would have echoed experiences in Jim Crow or present day America. This book is as complete as they come and a new entry into my all time favorites.

Simply sobering. It took Lee thirty years to write this book, and it shows: the complexities of the characters, the scourge of discrimination captured in its recount of history... What does it mean to be a good mother? Daughter? Father, son? Where is your home, if not by birth or dwelling? Honestly the best book I've read in so long.

Great story telling, heart-pulling intergenerational stories. I also learned a lot about the history of Korea and Japan.

I think this book did exactly what it aimed for. This wasn't a story meant to keep you on the edge of your seat necessarily, but to look deeper. I found it to be so insightful on topics of identity, culture, family, and love. The struggles of this Korean family resonate with you because it's so real and raw. I loved especially how human everyone felt. They all made mistakes, but realistic ones. On a personal level, I felt connected to the struggles of living through multiple cultures and discrimination. Not even just outward discrimination from others, but the inward kind, and the systemic kind. The questioning of who you are, but also the inevitability of your blood, gender, and past that creates your future. The struggles that these women faced were also different than the ones the men did, but both equally heart wrenching. A woman's value only found in her purity, beauty, and obedience. For men, the pressure to be great, to provide, only for it all to mean nothing just because you're Korean in Japan. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful...

This was a great read. The characters are very interesting, well fleshed out, and the storyline is from a very different perspective of the WWII era. It is sad, joyous, heartwarming and heartbreaking but always fascinating. I chose this as a personal read but think this would be a great book club read as well. Even though this is 479 pages, this is an easy read because it is so enjoyable. Highly recommended.