A review by afacchin2350
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

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 !