zinelib's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The Picture Bride--about early 20th century Korean immigrants in Hawai'i. The author is Korean (not Korean-American), so an interesting perspective. Like a lot of good historical fiction, it gives you that wrong-end-of-a-telescope feeling.
bookstoplaces's review against another edition
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Loved it but the end felt rushed to me. I could have kept reading further, I got very attached to the family.
sarahchdhry's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shrrawat's review against another edition
4.0
"The Picture Bride" is an elegant piece of historical fiction, telling the story of Korean picture brides in Hawaii, women chosen by Asian laborers to be brides based solely on pictures and letters exchanged across the ocean. I was somewhat familiar with the practice in part because it was similar to the history of Chinese laborers in California, where I am from, and also because it is so similar to the mail-order/arranged marriage business currently thriving among modern Indian communities, to which I belong.
What I appreciated about "The Picture Bride" is that it was not bound to the stereotypical story of a deceptive marriage that only provides heartbreak to the bride. Some of the protagonist's friends did indeed experience this, but most of the focus was on the culture clash between Korea and twentieth century Hawaii. The result reminded me much of "Molokai," another historical fiction favorite of mine.
What I appreciated about "The Picture Bride" is that it was not bound to the stereotypical story of a deceptive marriage that only provides heartbreak to the bride. Some of the protagonist's friends did indeed experience this, but most of the focus was on the culture clash between Korea and twentieth century Hawaii. The result reminded me much of "Molokai," another historical fiction favorite of mine.
literallylubna's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
valancy48's review against another edition
4.5
this book was just a pleasure to read. i fell in love with willow's character and really enjoyed following her journey to america and beyond. and seeing her relationship with her husband change was so sweet but also bittersweet with how things turned out. but again i really enjoyed reading abt this time in history and about these characters, seeing the perspective of a korean immigrant in the early 1900s. willow was very empowering and her story teaches a lesson
spoiler: i was taken aback at the sudden time skip and change at pov at the end, however, it was eloquently handled and i felt like it eventually tied in smhow, but still, i was sad to leave willow's story so suddenly. the end is very poignantly ended however
spoiler: i was taken aback at the sudden time skip and change at pov at the end, however, it was eloquently handled and i felt like it eventually tied in smhow, but still, i was sad to leave willow's story so suddenly. the end is very poignantly ended however
drewanabri's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, a very fascinating look at a unique time in history. Lee does an excellent job of exploring the type of personality a picture bride might've had, and she also provides some interesting insight into things like the Korean independence movement. I did find the ending chapters, told from the viewpoint of the daughter, to be a little abrupt and unnecessary, but the poorly paced plot didn't keep me from enjoying this book.
ladyofbooks's review
3.0
I wanted to like this more but it was slow and I just couldn't keep my interest on it. It was good writing and around an important subject matter in history, however I just had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. I may try to reread this one again in the future. For now I'm giving this a solid 3 ⭐.
writer09's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0