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moonmemoirs's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have many many many thoughts about this book. There were parts of it I absolutely adored, and parts of it I found tedious.
I think the main objective of the book as a historical fiction novel gets across well - you learn deeply about the discrimination the Korean diaspora in Japan faces regardless of their choices, actions, faith, loyalties, and bloodline. It was introspective and informative in this sense, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning this. It was done with a level of skill as well that makes the reader sympathise out of incredulity at the treatment of Koreans in Japan, even five generations in, being treated as lesser just because of their bloodline. Even lesser than the lowest caste of Japan. It’s heartbreaking that whether you decide to pass as Korean or Japanese, you must suffer the consequences of betrayal and poverty and oppression in the aftermath of the occupation.
In terms of characters, the main characters of the earlier generations are really well developed, and I found myself really connected to those characters. I didn’t find that same connection with Solomon’s storyline, including his stepmother, Hana, Pheobe and Kazu. I also found some characters strange, such as Haruki’s wife’s narrative - it felt empty and unfinished. I felt some ennui because I think the characters in the new generations become less dimensional? Like you don’t empathise with them as much and the author is trying to force two dimensions on them like “oh a woman can only be a whore out of desperation but it’s justified because she has trauma from this superficial thing” and it’s a stark contrast from the earlier generations where they build that character development in many many many layers. One layer characters too were done better in the earlier chapters - I loved Isak deeply, and I found it interesting how a book that convinces you of perceptions around every character being troubled, desperate, war-torn, mistake-making, etc stood in stark contrast to this brief character who is perfect in every way, self sacrificing to a lengthy degree, morally benevolent and wise beyond his years.
Writing wise, I actually really enjoyed how the “Pachinko” element of the book which characterises the struggle of the Korean diaspora in Japan, in the third chapter really comes into focus. I enjoyed the storytelling of Yangjin and Sunja and Kyunghee better than Noa, Haruki, Solomon etc but I like how the objective of the book related to the title with the shadow of being in the Pachinko business looming over them. No matter how clean Mozasu’s money is, the Pachinko business, people are regarded as Yakuza and dirty anyways, adding another dimension to the discrimination the characters already face by being Korean.
I think the main objective of the book as a historical fiction novel gets across well - you learn deeply about the discrimination the Korean diaspora in Japan faces regardless of their choices, actions, faith, loyalties, and bloodline. It was introspective and informative in this sense, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning this. It was done with a level of skill as well that makes the reader sympathise out of incredulity at the treatment of Koreans in Japan, even five generations in, being treated as lesser just because of their bloodline. Even lesser than the lowest caste of Japan. It’s heartbreaking that whether you decide to pass as Korean or Japanese, you must suffer the consequences of betrayal and poverty and oppression in the aftermath of the occupation.
In terms of characters, the main characters of the earlier generations are really well developed, and I found myself really connected to those characters. I didn’t find that same connection with Solomon’s storyline, including his stepmother, Hana, Pheobe and Kazu. I also found some characters strange, such as Haruki’s wife’s narrative - it felt empty and unfinished. I felt some ennui because I think the characters in the new generations become less dimensional? Like you don’t empathise with them as much and the author is trying to force two dimensions on them like “oh a woman can only be a whore out of desperation but it’s justified because she has trauma from this superficial thing” and it’s a stark contrast from the earlier generations where they build that character development in many many many layers. One layer characters too were done better in the earlier chapters - I loved Isak deeply, and I found it interesting how a book that convinces you of perceptions around every character being troubled, desperate, war-torn, mistake-making, etc stood in stark contrast to this brief character who is perfect in every way, self sacrificing to a lengthy degree, morally benevolent and wise beyond his years.
Writing wise, I actually really enjoyed how the “Pachinko” element of the book which characterises the struggle of the Korean diaspora in Japan, in the third chapter really comes into focus. I enjoyed the storytelling of Yangjin and Sunja and Kyunghee better than Noa, Haruki, Solomon etc but I like how the objective of the book related to the title with the shadow of being in the Pachinko business looming over them. No matter how clean Mozasu’s money is, the Pachinko business, people are regarded as Yakuza and dirty anyways, adding another dimension to the discrimination the characters already face by being Korean.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Genocide, Infertility, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Colonisation
ok7a's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Incest and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Lesbophobia
nikolama's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Bullying, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Cursing, Infertility, Abortion, and Lesbophobia
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
Pachinko follows the lives of four generations of Koreans as everything they know is torn apart and their identities are challenged by prejudice and war. This book takes us from rule South Korea into the major Japanese cities and tells the story of the diaspora formed after World War II. While most of the story centers around Sunja, the second generation, in each POV we experience a different kind of struggle, both internal and external. It’s a fascinating and a heartbreaking study.
I often struggle to read books without immediate, clear plot. That was not the case with Pachinko. While there is no linear destination, each character has plenty of obstacles they need to overcome. Almost all of these obstacles are grossly unfair and driven by racism or elitism. From Noa, we see the intense bullying Korean students have to endure. Through Mozasu, we see the struggle to carve out a successful place in the world despite the world assuming you are crooked and dishonest. Kyunghee, one of my favorite characters, shows us that racism is relentless, even if the person does everything culturally correct. All of these stories are told in a historical context, most of them taking place entirely in Japan, and the story leaves us at the 1980s. That said, it’s easy to see where 40 years after the end of the book, these racist prejudices and multi-generational struggles persist today.
While Pachinko focuses specifically on a Korean family, we do see hints of the lives of Japanese individuals as well. There are many kinds of relationships represented in Pachinko, and I applaud Min Jin Lee for including LGBTQIAP+ representation as well. The Japanese characters of this story are struggling to reckon their actual identify with their expected identity. For one, this is his sexuality. For another, it’s her role as a mother. There is only one Japanese-American character, but even in her, we see the weight of the diaspora as she is unable to connect with her cultural identity.
There are a swarm of conversations to be had about Pachinko and the characters in this book. I think if I read it again, it would feel like an entirely new story. It’s sad and it’s sweet and the writing outlines the hum of life and the forced acceptance within its pages. Pachinko is a book that will make you think, and it will make you want to learn more.
I wholeheartedly recommend Pachinko to any reader who can handle a slow-paced slice of life book. The pacing is purposefully slow, so you can’t fly through it the way a reader can with high action books. It’s such a worthwhile read, thought-provoking, delicately woven, complex, and enlightening. This is one of those books you put on your “books to read before I die” list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Grief, Car accident, Cultural appropriation, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Abortion, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol