A review by mxkanteven
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I think this is the first time I’m saying this, but the adaption was better than the book.

The book is capturing and takes you on a journey across generations thorough the lives of Koreans but in occupied Korea and across the diaspora and their journey with Japanese colonialism.

It can be triggering for sure, but it is bracing and unflinching about the realities of colonized people and the social, legal and class hurdles they face. 

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