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bookishcori's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
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? No
4.0
After finishing The Evening Hero, I had an inkling to pick up more Korean lit.
Willow, Hongju and Songhwa leave their home village as picture brides in 1918. Seeking a new life and hope for their families they’ve left behind, they arrive in Hawaii to find it’s not as they were promised. They end up far apart, their husbands are less than ideal, the work is hard, and xenophobia abounds. An escalation of the Korean independence movement threatens to split the Hawaiian-Korean community. Can they find their ways back to each other?
This is about hardships and resilience, and ultimately the power of friendship.
Pick this up if you like historical fiction, especially about lesser known pieces of history.
Willow, Hongju and Songhwa leave their home village as picture brides in 1918. Seeking a new life and hope for their families they’ve left behind, they arrive in Hawaii to find it’s not as they were promised. They end up far apart, their husbands are less than ideal, the work is hard, and xenophobia abounds. An escalation of the Korean independence movement threatens to split the Hawaiian-Korean community. Can they find their ways back to each other?
This is about hardships and resilience, and ultimately the power of friendship.
Pick this up if you like historical fiction, especially about lesser known pieces of history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, and War
Minor: Child death
ricegod's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I read an Uncorrected Advanced Reading Copy. I loved reading this book. I thought it was a beautifully constructed story, and reminded me of the movie “Ode to my Father” as well as the novel “When my name was Keoko”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death and Racism
Minor: Child death and Domestic abuse