A review by dynamiccanvas
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Overall I appreciated the historic lense into the family's life. I learned a lot about the nuance of Korean/Japanese life during the time period. I just wish there was less focus on sex. A lot of the sexual interactions felt predatory, and it was uncomfortable reading about it from the perspective of the perpetrator. It wasn't for me. Bar that, I enjoyed the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Suicide, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War

Minor: Bullying, Child death, Infertility, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Vomit, Car accident, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Deportation