minsreads's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kellyhook_readsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
It was fascinating learning about the sea women/divers & their unique matriarchal society. The book was obviously well-researched and captured the daily lives of these brave women. With that being said, the plot slogged along at a glacial pace and I had a hard time connecting with the characters.
smtate's review
dark
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
3.75
entropyseeker's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
There's so much loss and grief in this book, but to be able to read about what happened on Jeju through the lens of haenyeo was touching, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Definitely read the tw though
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, War, Child abuse, Murder, Colonisation, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Death, Alcoholism, Police brutality, Sexual violence, and Torture
clementineecho's review against another edition
5.0
The beginning didn't captivate me as quickly as her other books did and I was skeptical about the contents and historical accuracy. That being said, it is a very well researched book. Even the dialogue which you would assume is fictional.. I found myself easily translating into korean. So even to that extent, the author must have pulled from her interviews. By the end of the novel I was sobbing for the characters. Yet another moving story of womens' friendships and hardships. The characters are complex and deep and idk man no one writes these characters like Lisa See does. 10/10
winkpins's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
caitlinriach's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Colonisation, Rape, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Emotional abuse
pamiverson's review
5.0
I love books that introduce me to different cultures and life experiences, but that still connect to mine. This one was a great example, the lives of women living on a small island off the coast of Korea, where women truly are in charge. I was particularly moved to read about the Korean War from a Korean's perspective. Plus I love Ms. See's writing and character development. I look forward to a Book Club discussion about this one!
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
4.0
Lisa See has done it again. Another fantastic novel with complicated relationships between women, a feminist bent, and intriguing historical research.
I love reading the acknowledgements at the end of books and the one here was chapter length. Plus, it seems like she remembered every single person she called, spoke to on Jeju, or came within an arms length of there and thanked them. It was so interesting to see how one brief encounter with a person unveiled a little detail that was then woven throughout the novel, making all the more real. You can really tell how much research went into recreating with accuracy the communities on Jeju, the historic events that took place through several generations on the island, and the amazing groups of Haenyeo tending to their ‘wet fields’ in the sea.
I wanted to know how to say the Jeju / Haenyeo in my head as I read and found this video quite helpful, and was a brief but interesting looks at what you’ll see in this novel.
I love reading the acknowledgements at the end of books and the one here was chapter length. Plus, it seems like she remembered every single person she called, spoke to on Jeju, or came within an arms length of there and thanked them. It was so interesting to see how one brief encounter with a person unveiled a little detail that was then woven throughout the novel, making all the more real. You can really tell how much research went into recreating with accuracy the communities on Jeju, the historic events that took place through several generations on the island, and the amazing groups of Haenyeo tending to their ‘wet fields’ in the sea.
I wanted to know how to say the Jeju / Haenyeo in my head as I read and found this video quite helpful, and was a brief but interesting looks at what you’ll see in this novel.
sophiehartl's review against another edition
4.0
"The Island of Sea Women" is a wonderful story of friendship, family, and loss. All of the many characters are engaging and well-developed. Reading this is a great way to learn about the haenyeos and get a difficult but truthful account of what life was like in 1930-1950 Korea.