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namushynie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had only started listening after attending a book club introducing this book and learnt that it was marketed as young adult fiction in South Korea, in addition to also hearing that addressing one's father as "Appa" is not something that would have been used yet.
The story depicted the state of Korea in WW II that I felt was consistent with other media I had consumed from the same period of world history.
Class, status, racism and power intertwine together into a story that leaves you attached to the characters; anxious for them one minute, some relief the next.
However, parts like the women's brigade have been sanitised, supposedly as it was originally intended for a young adult audience.
Chaeryeong and Sunam, different in class but both eager and hungry to carve out their fate, demonstrated their respective strength of womanhood that had me intrigued to read on.
Overall a good read and stellar narration! I docked a star as the last chapter felt rushed.
The story depicted the state of Korea in WW II that I felt was consistent with other media I had consumed from the same period of world history.
Class, status, racism and power intertwine together into a story that leaves you attached to the characters; anxious for them one minute, some relief the next.
However, parts like the women's brigade have been sanitised, supposedly as it was originally intended for a young adult audience.
Chaeryeong and Sunam, different in class but both eager and hungry to carve out their fate, demonstrated their respective strength of womanhood that had me intrigued to read on.
Overall a good read and stellar narration! I docked a star as the last chapter felt rushed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Rape
nadiamasood's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Picked this book up to buddy-read with a friend. I went into it blind, with no expectations or prior knowledge about what the story was about.
This is an immersive, epic saga-style narrative about sacrifice, strength, and survival. For the first 100 pages or so, the story felt slow at times, with prolonged stretches where not much transpired, but it picks up pace and so many things begin happening to our characters left and right! Although I must say that I enjoyed even the slow parts.
My only issue is that since the story spans four decades, the last few chapters, and especially the ending, felt rushed.
The parts about the horrors of war and comfort women were difficult for me to read, but otherwise I was thoroughly invested in learning about the life and fate of these two complex women - there were times when I hated them, and then a few pages later I would symphatise with them and feel like I understood the choices they made.
I suggest reading a physical/ebook instead of audiobook because many names, foreign places, and the numerous events that take place may get confusing. Also those who listened to audiobooks say the narration felt slow and that it was difficult to keep track of the names and events.
This book is sad and intense, but the story is an important one to tell. Recommended to those who love historical fiction.
This is an immersive, epic saga-style narrative about sacrifice, strength, and survival. For the first 100 pages or so, the story felt slow at times, with prolonged stretches where not much transpired, but it picks up pace and so many things begin happening to our characters left and right! Although I must say that I enjoyed even the slow parts.
My only issue is that since the story spans four decades, the last few chapters, and especially the ending, felt rushed.
The parts about the horrors of war and comfort women were difficult for me to read, but otherwise I was thoroughly invested in learning about the life and fate of these two complex women - there were times when I hated them, and then a few pages later I would symphatise with them and feel like I understood the choices they made.
I suggest reading a physical/ebook instead of audiobook because many names, foreign places, and the numerous events that take place may get confusing. Also those who listened to audiobooks say the narration felt slow and that it was difficult to keep track of the names and events.
This book is sad and intense, but the story is an important one to tell. Recommended to those who love historical fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Trafficking, Grief, and War
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Rape
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