Susan Grebe answers “It was disturbing - Noa's track. Any...”

Sneha asked this question about Pachinko:

It was disturbing - Noa's track. Any thoughts on what he was going through? What happened to his family after his suicide? Also, the last scene showed Sunja finding out that he used to visit the Isak's grave every week, so she buries his keyring in the cemetery itself. Why?

Susan Grebe I really enjoyed this book and I also learned a lot from it. Having said this, I have to add that I found the Noa storyline disturbing. Until he took …moreI really enjoyed this book and I also learned a lot from it. Having said this, I have to add that I found the Noa storyline disturbing. Until he took off, he seemed like a caring, thoughtful person to me. For him to cut off from his mother and other family members in such a cruel manner didn't fit. I get that he was extremely upset when he found out that Isak was not his father. But until his girlfriend told him that Hansu was a gangster, he didn't even realize this! His hatred for Hansu after that, who had helped the family many times, didn't make sense to me. I ended up disliking Noa's character and that was the only thing that marred the book for me.(less)

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Portia I agree. I think he would be upset but to go 16 years when he loved his mom so much? Didn’t seem to fit fluidly.
May 09, 2019 05:15PM · flag

Allison It’s hard for those of us outside the culture to understand. But I think Pam did a great job of explaining the internal conflict. I also wrote a respo ...more
Jan 01, 2021 11:19AM · flag

Nan McDermott Peters Feelings of honor and pride, when damaged, can be very powerful for some cultures. Noa was a good son, a good brother, a good person. He was blessed w ...more
Jan 07, 2021 11:22PM · flag

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