A review by zglanton26
Daughters of the Dragon by William Andrews
4.0
The reason why I gave this book 4 stars is because at times I got bored with the story. It felt like some parts were drawn out that didn’t need to be.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the storytelling and the history of Korea. I didn’t know there was a such thing as a Comfort Woman and that the Japanese treated the Koreans so poorly. They took children and had them “serve” their soldiers by having sex with them anytime they wanted . Ja-Hee stated that sometimes she had sex with almost 100 men a day every day for 2 years, unless they were out in battle. I was blown by this. I was also irritated that the Koreans who found out Ja-Hee’s history basically disowned her and didn’t want any associations when they found out about her past. She was a child! She was taken! She was forced, beaten, and threaten! They would rather her have died than dishonor their country, I guess because they were already ashamed enough that the Japanese had them in such a predicament, but she was a child and it wasn’t her fault. So that part of the story infuriated me.
I find it great that Anna (Ja-Young) decided to listen to Ja-Hee’s story and end up helping her at the end to meet her sister Soo-Hee. Anna being able to identify her roots and figure out who that part of her was is a big part of her identity. Just because she came from a loving adoptive family in America doesn’t mean she doesn’t long for THAT belonging. I’m assuming that’s how a majority of adopted children feel. Like something is missing.
I’m not sure if I want to read the next installment. It was interesting to learn the history, mannerisms, and the fact that they are descendants of the royals with the comb being passed down. I’m interested to find out how Anna serves Korea with the comb in tow, but I may take a break and come back to it. It took me a while to get through this one.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the storytelling and the history of Korea. I didn’t know there was a such thing as a Comfort Woman and that the Japanese treated the Koreans so poorly. They took children and had them “serve” their soldiers by having sex with them anytime they wanted . Ja-Hee stated that sometimes she had sex with almost 100 men a day every day for 2 years, unless they were out in battle. I was blown by this. I was also irritated that the Koreans who found out Ja-Hee’s history basically disowned her and didn’t want any associations when they found out about her past. She was a child! She was taken! She was forced, beaten, and threaten! They would rather her have died than dishonor their country, I guess because they were already ashamed enough that the Japanese had them in such a predicament, but she was a child and it wasn’t her fault. So that part of the story infuriated me.
I find it great that Anna (Ja-Young) decided to listen to Ja-Hee’s story and end up helping her at the end to meet her sister Soo-Hee. Anna being able to identify her roots and figure out who that part of her was is a big part of her identity. Just because she came from a loving adoptive family in America doesn’t mean she doesn’t long for THAT belonging. I’m assuming that’s how a majority of adopted children feel. Like something is missing.
I’m not sure if I want to read the next installment. It was interesting to learn the history, mannerisms, and the fact that they are descendants of the royals with the comb being passed down. I’m interested to find out how Anna serves Korea with the comb in tow, but I may take a break and come back to it. It took me a while to get through this one.