From the Bookshelf of Around the Year in 52 Books …
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
This is a fascinating novel about a place and a people I'd never heard of before. The historical and cultural details are vivid and authentic, making the novel's setting really come to life. Its characters are empathetic and intriguing. Young-sook's story is heartbreaking, empowering, and ultimately, hopeful. I was completely enthralled and moved by this lovely book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys absorbing historical novels about family, friendship, and forgiveness.
...more
From a distance, this is a story about the Korean island of Jeju and the Haenyeo (female divers), but at its heart, this is a story about one diver in particular. Young-sook is born the daughter of a well-regarded diver who eventually becomes the leader of their group. Young-sook's mother takes another girl under her wing, Mi-ja, the daughter of a Japanese collaborator who lives with an aunt and uncle who treat her like little more than a slave.
Young-sook and Mi-ja become the closest of friends ...more
Young-sook and Mi-ja become the closest of friends ...more
What a fascinating historical fiction about Korea. It’s sad and has a horrific scene that will be stuck in my head for awhile, but I am glad I read it. It makes me want to read more about Korea.
I admire the Sea Women. Lisa See chose a great group of women to write about - they’re inspiring and interesting. They are declining in number and their culture is so rich that we should learn about it while these strong, brave and wise women are still here to tell us about their lives.
Once again, Lisa See wrote an engaging and enlightening book. These characters are robust and complex. Their relationships are multi-faceted and relatable.
In school, we studied the Korean War and WWII but did no ...more
Once again, Lisa See wrote an engaging and enlightening book. These characters are robust and complex. Their relationships are multi-faceted and relatable.
In school, we studied the Korean War and WWII but did no ...more
Was so heavily researched that I felt like the novel suffered for it. The characters became mouthpieces for what was going on in history. It just got so boring after a while because I knew the characters were going to have to march their way through every significant event of this time period in Korean history, but without really changing or having any interiority. I almost felt like this book would have been better as a nonfiction book.
This is an important story that needs to be told, an historical period that needs honest illumination. That's the part of this book I greatly appreciated and the author does splendidly. The traumas and secrecy are laid out in full and beautiful color with the technique of parallel generational storytelling. But I didn't really enjoy the book. I didn't really like the main character. I wanted to. I admired her and felt sympathy for her, but could not make the emotional connection that would have
...more
Jan 09, 2020
Jana
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
x2020-reading-challenge
It was very interesting to see how this matrifocal society lived when left to their own devices. Then the huge number of tragedies that were instigated on this society. So sad. A very good book.
This is an unforgettable read and I kept mentioning it to friends and family. I did need a break after the genocide but overall it's a powerful story on resilience, forgiveness, and quiet authority.
...more
Nov 28, 2018
Susan
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-next,
diverse-author
Jan 04, 2019
Deedee
marked it as to-read
Nov 05, 2019
Chelsea
marked it as to-read
Dec 12, 2019
Maggie
marked it as to-read
Mar 19, 2020
Andrea
marked it as to-read
Sep 08, 2020
HeatherLynn
added it
Sep 17, 2020
Rachel
marked it as to-read
Mar 29, 2022
J
marked it as to-read
May 17, 2022
Kristina
marked it as to-read
