PachinkoRecommendations

Author:

Min Jin Lee

About the book

"Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee is a captivating and epic novel that explores themes of family, identity, and survival against the backdrop of the Korean diaspora in Japan. The narrative follows several generations of a Korean family, shedding light on their struggles and triumphs as they navigate the complexities of cultural identity and historical upheaval. Lee's writing is rich and immersive, allowing readers to deeply connect with the characters and their experiences. The book not only provides historical insights but also delves into the human spirit's resilience, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in stories of perseverance and the quest for belonging.Highly recommended by a diverse group of individuals, including activists, educators, authors, and media personalities, "Pachinko" has garnered praise from influential figures such as Barack Obama and Emma Watson. This group reflects a blend of leaders in various fields, including politics, education, and entertainment, who recognize the novel's profound impact and relevance. The collective endorsement from such respected voices suggests that "Pachinko" resonates with readers who appreciate narratives that challenge societal norms and highlight the importance of understanding cultural histories.

A New York Times Top Ten Book of the Year and National Book Award finalist, Pachinko is an "extraordinary epic" of four generations of a poor Korean immigrant family as they fight to control their destiny in 20th-century Japan (San Francisco Chronicle).

Roxane Gay's Favorite Book of 2017, Washington Post

"There could only be a few winners, and a lot of losers. And yet we played on, because we had hope that we might be the lucky ones."

In the early 1900s, teenaged Sunja, the adored daughter of a crippled fisherman, falls for a wealthy stranger at the seashore near her home in Korea. He promises her the world, but when she discovers she is pregnant--and that her lover is married--she refuses to be bought. Instead, she accepts an offer of marriage from a gentle, sickly minister passing through on his way to Japan. But her decision to abandon her home, and to reject her son's powerful father, sets off a dramatic saga that will echo down through the generations.

Richly told and profoundly moving, Pachinko is a story of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty. From bustling street markets to the halls of Japan's finest universities to the pachinko parlors of the criminal underworld, Lee's complex and passionate characters--strong, stubborn women, devoted sisters and sons, fathers shaken by moral crisis--survive and thrive against the indifferent arc of history.