Rating: 4.2/5
A bitter tale trailing the lives of female protagonists through four generations in 20th century Korea and Japan. The author weaves the complex intersections of culture, family, class, and desire against the backdrop of colonial wars and political unrest. The narrative is beautifully written although the chapter endings were occasionally too abrupt. Like a melancholic soap opera, the relationships take center stage while the various characters recede to the background. Warning: Be prepared to be served equal servings of guilt, shame, longing, and despair in this delicious story.
Insights:
- Love and pain are not antithetical. I would argue that they complement and grind into each other to transform people to be more patient, thoughtful, wise and loving.
- You can never completely satisfy everyone, even if you try your best. But we should try anyways and create a life we think is worth living for.
- Our idiosyncrasies and principles need to be carefully guarded. Compromising these values destroys our identity and with it, why people found us so endearing in the first place.
Favourite Quotes:
Living everyday in the presence of those who refuse to acknowledge your humanity takes great courage. Learn everything. Fill your mind with knowledge – it’s the only kind of power no one can take away from you. If you love anyone, you cannot help but share his suffering.