sadiereadthat's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
This is the story of two women who become haenyeo 'diving women' on the island of Jeju in Korea, which becomes part of South Korea over the course of the story. These two women grow up together during an incredibly tumultuous time in the history of their nation. The story begins when they are very young and ends in their very old age.
If you enjoy a lengthy story about real life, this might be perfect for you. I learned a lot about Korea while reading this and, once again, have found that I know almost nothing about the people and what was experienced in this country. This novel was heartbreaking much of the time and will not be a light and fluffy read, but also was very worth it.
This is the story of two women who become haenyeo 'diving women' on the island of Jeju in Korea, which becomes part of South Korea over the course of the story. These two women grow up together during an incredibly tumultuous time in the history of their nation. The story begins when they are very young and ends in their very old age.
If you enjoy a lengthy story about real life, this might be perfect for you. I learned a lot about Korea while reading this and, once again, have found that I know almost nothing about the people and what was experienced in this country. This novel was heartbreaking much of the time and will not be a light and fluffy read, but also was very worth it.
marianatole's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. I think it is important to bring light to tragedies and war crimes that aren’t as widely known. The description of the massacres only took up a small part of the story but it’s a struggle to read. The last half of the book also really dragged, because the character spends the whole time struggling to forgive—basically the whole book trying to forgive. I found the “revelatory” end when she listens to her friend’s side of the tragedies not as epiphanic as it should have been.
emmaturningpages's review against another edition
4.0
4.5.
A stunning family drama centred around the friendship of Young-Sook and Mi-Ja. The girls are inseparable as they grown up on Jeju Island, a Korean island famous for its clans of sea-diving women.
The girls share many important milestones at similar times, and we witness through Young-Sook’s eyes the horrors that unfold when the Japanese invade Korea.
It’s a book filled with culture, family, betrayal, religion and nature. I particularly loved the parts about the haenyeo -or women divers - who free-dive upto 60 below the surface of a sometimes freezing ocean to provide for their families. The bonds between the women and their worldly outlook were revolutionary for the time and really made me smile.
A wonderful book, and one I would urge fans of Pachinko or The Mountains Sing to read.
A stunning family drama centred around the friendship of Young-Sook and Mi-Ja. The girls are inseparable as they grown up on Jeju Island, a Korean island famous for its clans of sea-diving women.
The girls share many important milestones at similar times, and we witness through Young-Sook’s eyes the horrors that unfold when the Japanese invade Korea.
It’s a book filled with culture, family, betrayal, religion and nature. I particularly loved the parts about the haenyeo -or women divers - who free-dive upto 60 below the surface of a sometimes freezing ocean to provide for their families. The bonds between the women and their worldly outlook were revolutionary for the time and really made me smile.
A wonderful book, and one I would urge fans of Pachinko or The Mountains Sing to read.
vickimarie2002's review against another edition
5.0
This book is tragically beautiful. I had never heard of the
haenyeos before or of the tragic and horrifying things the Koreans have gone through. I want to do more research on all of the events to further my understanding. This really was such a great book.
haenyeos before or of the tragic and horrifying things the Koreans have gone through. I want to do more research on all of the events to further my understanding. This really was such a great book.
jamielouh's review against another edition
4.0
I probably wouldn’t have picked this book up if it weren’t for book club. However, I loved learning about the island of sea women and now extraordinary they are at diving. The story was tragic and sad. I kept hoping for something different to happen. I liked how unique their society was with women being the central figures.
books_plan_create's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the way Lisa See incorporated the historical aspect of this novel, it was very easy to fall into the story.
minker's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so moving. The descriptions transported me to the island and the life and time of these women.
bookish_nat's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25