The Color of Earth

[Kristen]

Would you like to Buddy Read with me?
(I'm using your format, Phoebe. I hope you don't mind!)


It's a three volume series.
WARNING! Contains sexual content. Recommended for readers 16+. Discretion is advised.
Genre: Romance, Coming-of-Age, Manhwa, 16+

Summary: Ehwa grows up helping her widowed mother run the local tavern, watching as their customers – both neighbors and strangers – look down on her mother for her single lifestyle. Their social status isolates Ehwa and her mother from the rest of the people in their quiet country village. But as she gets older and sees her mother fall in love again, Ehwa slowly begins to open up to the possibility of love in her life.

Volume 1(10 chapters) - November 12-18
Volume 2(10 chapters) - November 19-25
Volume 3(10 chapters) - November 26-December 2

[jenny]

I thought this one looked really good, and my library has all 3. I already requested them. I'm in!

[Kristen]

Cool!

[[deleted user]]

If I can find a way to obtain copies or read it online, I'll join.

Wait, I stand corrected. I checked and my library has the first volume. I will see about ordering the others.

[Juvia]

I am in :) This series looks very good.

[Phoebe]

I don't usually read manhwa but this looks cute. I might join :D

[Kristen]

I've added a warning to the description, but just to make sure everyone knows: this manhwa is 16+ for sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.

[Velveteen]

hmm i'll get on readint this book to

[Kristen]

First day of the Color of Earth buddy read! I was thinking that we could do a volume per week, like last time.

[[deleted user]]

I'll get started on it as soon as I can. I already have a copy, I just need to find the time.

Edit: My library has one copy of the second volume. It's checked out and was due Nov. 2. This means I may not get it any time soon, if at all.

[jenny]

I'm happy I get to start this today!

[[deleted user]]

I finished two nights ago, but just now found the time to post here. Honestly, I loved it. It's so easy for any girl to relate to Ehwa, because we've all been through that. I'd have to say that Color of Earth is the most realistic coming of age book I've read.

The most surprising thing about Color of Earth is when I flipped to the back and read the author bio. You would not expect a book about a girl's coming of age to be written by a man! I'm not saying men can't write books like that, but it's just not something you'd expect.

However, I'm not sure I'll be able to read volume 2. The person who had it checked out still hasn't turned it in. I'll see if I can find it online.

[jenny]

This was a realistic coming of age story. Especially where human sexuality is concerned. The language was beautiful and poetic. I loved the openness and honesty of the relationship between Ehwa and her mother.

@Wednesday, I agree I was surprised that a man wrote this. It just didn't seem like it was written by a man. Ehwa and her mother were so relatable to me in their femininity. He did a wonderful job!

[Kristen]

I finished reading volume one earlier today. It was absolutely wonderful. I thought the art was great, especially all of the flowers, trees and backgrounds. They looked so realistic and detailed!

Did you know that The Color of Earth Trilogy was the second most banned/challenged book of 2011? It was banned for nudity, sexual content, sex education and unsuitability for the age group. What do you guys think?

[[deleted user]]

I have a very strong opinion about banning books. I absolutely don't agree with it. Children and teens shouldn't be sheltered, they should be taught. I could understand not letting an 8-10 year read this series, but teenage girls all go through this. If you don't teach your kids about things they'll experience while they're growing up, we'll end up with a situation similar to Carrie.

Carrie's mother never taught her about her period (she thought if she kept her daughter pure, she would never have a period), so when Carrie got her period in the showers after gym, she had a mental breakdown. While this is an extreme case, this is just the kind of thing that happens when children aren't taught these things.

This series being unsuitable for the age group is just ridiculous! The series is intended for teenage girls. I mean, all teenage girls go through what Ehwa went through. So it's not like we'd be seeing anything we haven't already experienced. The artwork itself is not graphic. Nothing is shown. Everything is implied. I guess I don't understand the idea of banning books. Kids are going to learn about these things one way or another, and banning some books isn't truly going to make a difference.

That, and it is not anyone's place to try to tell other people what they should or shouldn't let their kids read. That is up to each individual parent. I am so glad my library is openly against banning books.

[Juvia]

I just finished this book last night. It was a really great story and I cannot wait to start book two. The artwork was great, I have never read a comming of age book like this before, so I thought this book was a great introduction for me.

@Wednesday- I completely agree with you. Banning this book would not make what teenage girls have to go through go away. Sheltering children when they are young(4,5,6) is one things, but teenagers are going to be leaving the house soon and living in the real world and it is almost like you are setting them up for failure. They depend on parents, teachers and society in general to teach them about the world, not hide it from them.
I have never agreed with the banning of any book.