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enchanteddroppings's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and War
yasdaisies's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
5.0
k_t_s's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
jewelshewchuk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
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
5.0
antiqueyouth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
3.75
afacchin2350's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.5
4.5 stars. Pachinko is the heartwarming yet sometimes brutal story of a Korean family over 4 generations. What stands out to me most about this novel are the women. Their constant battle to make sure their family is taken care of is awe-inspiring. One of the main themes in this story is how women are meant to struggle. That is what was told to Yangjin and Sunja all their lives. They worked hard to provide for their families and did what was necessary to protect them. I love the two main marriages in this book. The men were soft and compassionate, and I think the world needs more of that kindness. This book provided me a look at Korea's and Japan's troubled history. I am glad that this book educated me more about what occurred when Japan annexed Korea. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who will listen !
purpl3creation's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Deeply heart-wrenching at times, but honest in it's persuit to remind (me) how life is just made up of moments and decisions and generations. Min Jin Lee ate with this. A book best read not knowing the synopsis, truly. I would read it again.
wovenfromwords's review against another edition
5.0
'Pachinko' absolutely blew me away! This novel is informative, intense, and heartbreaking, all rolled into one. It tells the story of Sunja, a young woman raised in a small fishing island within Korea. The book follows Sunja and the generations that come after her over the span of six decades. We learn so much about the Korean immigrant experience, as Sunja and her family learn to adapt and survive in Japan. Reading through their family experiences while living in Japan are very heartbreaking, as Min Jin Lee describes many moments of strife as Sunja and her family try their best to be a successful Korean family in a land where they're not welcomed. I especially appreciate learning about the lives of each member of the slowly evolving family as the years fly by. Definitely take 'Pachinko' home with you, you won't regret it!
bellabaff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
4.75