A review by natalieba
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

challenging emotional informative 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? It's complicated

4.25

I can see why this book has been lauded so widely - it is sweeping, emotionally resonant and informative without going overboard. The author achieves what she set out to do - tell the story of Koreans in Japan over the course of the 20th century - and she does it so well, making her characters and their stories believable and compelling. There are parts of this book that touched me deeply. 

However, I have realized in reading it that these long-range family sagas aren’t my favorite. I prefer to really get to know one or two characters and their world and then just stay there. I kept feel liking the author made us love the characters and then moved on to focus on others before I was ready. I don’t think this is a fault of the author - she skillfully interwove the generations and their people - I just found that by the end, I was not as engaged as I was at the start because I was sort of *full* feeling, not needing or wanting new characters. 

Overall, I would certainly recommend this book and if you’re like me and prefer a deeper dive into one generation, check out the author’s debut (which I Loved!). 
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