Pachinko - July 9, 2018

[Savanes, Moderator]

We will be starting a buddy read of Pachinko by Min Jin Lee on July 9th. Everyone is welcome to join.



Please mark your posts with where you are in the book and use spoiler tags as needed.

Pachinko follows one Korean family through the generations, beginning in early 1900s Korea with Sunja, the prized daughter of a poor yet proud family, whose unplanned pregnancy threatens to shame them all. Deserted by her lover, Sunja is saved when a young tubercular minister offers to marry and bring her to Japan.

So begins a sweeping saga of an exceptional family in exile from its homeland and caught in the indifferent arc of history. Through desperate struggles and hard-won triumphs, its members are bound together by deep roots as they face enduring questions of faith, family, and identity.

[Savanes, Moderator]

Schedule:
- Monday July 9: Book 1.1 to 1.5 (included)
- Tuesday July 10: Book 1.6 to 1.11
- Wednesday July 11: Book 1.12 to end of book 1
- Thursday July 12: Book 2.1 to 2.6
- Friday July 13: Book 2.7 to 2.10
- Saturday July 14: Book 2.11 to 2.17
- Sunday July 15: Book 2.18 to 2.20 and 3.1 to 3.3
- Monday July 16: Book 3.4 to 3.9
- Tuesday July 17: Book 3.10 to 3.17
- Wednesday July 18: Book 3.18 to the end

[Judy]

;-)

[Savanes, Moderator]

Here you go, let me know if the schedule is ok with you! :)

[Judy]

Looks great

[Niall]

Hi everyone,
here are my thoughts, sorted into each chapter as I read. I'm looking forward to hearing what you all think.
I'm listening to the audio version, so I may spell some of the names incorrectly.
Chapter 1:
As a guy with a disability, I admire Huni's ability to find ways around his shortcomings and live a simple life. As this story isn't about Huni, I knew he would probably die before the story properly starts. Hopefully his daughter will have a longer and happier life. I enjoy how stories from eastern Asia usually give you lots of family background before starting in on the protagonist's tale. But we're only a few pages in and there are already far too many children dying in this book. I bet this isn't the end of it either.

Chapter 2:
I am enjoying the pacing of the story so far. The author gives you enough information to get a feel for life in Yeungdo, but she keeps things moving. Otherwise I don't have much to say. We don't know enough about this new character to make any judgments yet.
Chapter 3:
The fisherman brothers are hilarious! I don't think we'll get much more of them though. I always thought the tie was a rather silly accessory. But I must admit to treating myself with a few silk ones when they're on sail.
So Isak is a Christian minister from Pyongyang? I hope his family clears out of there before the 40s. I'm interested in seeing how his and Sunja's relationship develops. It's a little strange to me that it just says Sunja was pregnant without explaining the circumstances around it. Perhaps that will be explained later?
Chapter 4:
And now I guess we're getting the beginning of the explanation. It sounds as if Hansu will be the father but will abandon her, so even though he rescued her from those high school boys I don't trust him in the slightest.
Chapter 5:
Hansu is certainly a charming fellow. I'm enjoying his stories and worldly wisdom, but what he does in this chapter certainly isn't okay. To me he comes off as a real creep, but it completely makes sense for Sunja to fall head over heels for him. I think they will meet again before the story is done, so I wonder what will happen between them after this. Will he ever get to know his son or daughter?

[Judy]

I’m covering my eyes. Going to do my read this evening. I’m excited!

[Savanes, Moderator]

Hey,

I finished yesterday's and today's reading. I have to find another book to read so that I can pace myself.

So far, I love the book. To me, it's the kind of book that makes you read "just one more chapter" and you end up being awake after 2 am. Hum hum.

@Niall Can you use the spoiler tag so that we don't have to cover our eyes if we are not done yet with the chapters you mention. To do so just type this code and remove the space between spoi and ler :
YOUR COMMENT HERE
Chapter 5-6: I agree, Hansu definitely sounds (view spoiler)[like a creep. Sunja is young and suggestible. I'm amazed that she reacted with such strength of character when she heard he had a wife and 3 kids. Do you think she was attracted to him because she was missing a father figure or just because he was attracted to her in a different way than most young people around her? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10:
I wanted to slap (view spoiler)[ Pastor Shin in the face. Give her a break Sanju's 16, illiterate and pregnant. But I know it was a different time and a different culture. Yangjin was so cute trying to buy rice for the young couple. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11:
I was so sad for (view spoiler)[Yangjin. It so heartbreaking when you know you will probably never see your daughter again. :'(
Do you think Sunja will learn to be happy with Isak? Will she cross path with Hansu again? (hide spoiler)]

[Niall]

Hi everyone,
I'm really sorry about that. I'm completely new to this and I'm using a screen reader, so the tag thing is tricky. When I click the preview link nothing seems to change so I can't confirm if I'm doing it properly. Is this how it's done?
Spoiler :
testing testing

[Savanes, Moderator]

It's ok Niall. ;)
Not working though
You have to type spoiler in between those triangular brackets <> at the beginning of your comment like this (view spoiler)[ and like this at the end of your comment (hide spoiler)]
I add to add a space at the end of the word spoiler so that you could see the code. You just need to remove it.
I don't know I I make any sense.

[Savanes, Moderator]

Rrroooh the app managed to detect the code. Let's try again. Replace the brackets () by triangular ones <>
(spoiler) Your comment goes here (/spoiler)

[Judy]

I’m going to see if my mobile will let me tag a spoiler. My iPhone won’t let me read spoilers so I will log on to do that. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

Ok, I don’t see my links so maybe someone can let me know if they are a spoiler link I am so let me know.

[Judy]

Ok, I am traveling and I made my husband give me his laptop so I could have more control of the spoiler tags. I am going to talk about chapter one only for this post to make sure it's working since most of you have read that chapter.
I had no idea (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

Ok, I am getting annoyed with this...lol. I may have to just hide the whole comment. I'm so sorry I am littering the thread with my practice ugh. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Savanes, Moderator]

The spoiler tags seem to work except there is no content in them... :S

[Judy]

Ch. 1-4 I had no idea that (view spoiler)[ Isak was going to be interested in Sunja, I actually thought he was interested in the Mom! I started to feel like the religious undertones were really strong, but I think it was just a baseline for understanding the values of each character.
I didn't find myself hating Hansu, but I didn't care for the way he took advantage of her, she is just a child.
I'm learning about the culture of this era. I don't understand why the women would not see their family again? that seems harsh to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

Well FINALLY, happy dance for figuring out the spoiler tags. Geez I was starting to feel simple. Like Niall I am listening since I'm on the road traveling, but I also find myself struggling not to get ahead
@Niall, I think she was (view spoiler)[ in love with him for both reasons, she missed her father and his great love and affection. Then an older man shows up who is so different than what she is accustomed to seeing. He protects her and she was really taken in by him (hide spoiler)]
Ch 10 I was so irritated at (view spoiler)[ the paster who was grilling Sunja, seriously, it was so mean. Nothing like being berated when you already feeling disgraced and humiliated. She is 16! To digress a little, when the sexual encounter was describing Hansu cleaning the blood underneath her, I felt a deep sadness. I knew she was in for a ride that would be filled with regret. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11 I also wonder if she will be happy with (view spoiler)[ Isak, I'm really rooting for them. He is so loving and kind and actually reminds me of her father. I worry though because she seems so in love with Hansu. I was a little surprised to see that Hansu just accepted her rejection and did not protest. I too am waiting for the ball to drop now. They are in the same city and they are bound to cross paths. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

We are about to leave the hotel so I will be listening to the readings today, I can't wait to hear what happens next. I suspect we are going to be in for some kind of shock. I'm going to have to force myself to turn it off after 50 pages...LOL. (hide spoiler)]

[Niall]

Alright here are my thoughts up to chapter 15. I tried to use the spoiler tags properly this time. I apologize in advance if I messed up again.If you see a block of text below this and you haven't read that far yet, shut your eyes!


(view spoiler)[ So now the story is taking shape. I'm so happy for Sunja. She will not be treated as a barer of shame and everyone will think her child is Isak's. But I know Koreans are often still not treated well in Japan today. I shudder to think what it would be like during the Second World War. Sunja asks how you could prove that you loved God. I get the feeling they'll face serious persecution in Japan and she will have to do just that.
The departure scene was absolutely heartrending. I don't know how I would spend my last few hours with my loved ones if I knew I would probably never even get to speak to them again. Modern technology has really changed everything in that regard. Sunja promising that she won't speak to Hansu almost guarantees that they will meet in Osaka at some point. Please Sunja just let it go and stay away from him! But on a brighter note Kyeonghe and Yoseb are so sweet. I was especially moved when Kyeonghe immediately referred to Sunja as her sister. And they're going to start a kimchi business together! I'm hungry for Korean food now.
You're right Pastor Shin was such a jerk. Hasn't Sunja been through enough? Unfortunately I think some members of the clergy are hardened through experience. The pastor in Osaka also shows some signs of cynicism. It alarmed me how his tone suddenly changed when the children left. (hide spoiler)]

[Niall]

(view spoiler)[ Judy I think Hansu wasn't too dismayed because he can always find someone else. This seems like a sort of game to him and it's likely he's done this before. But I certainly agree that part of the story isn't over. We'll learn more about his background by the time all is said and done. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Savanes, Moderator]

That's perfect Niall. I will have to read your spoilers later. I'm still reading...

On a side and funny note, Sunja's new last name "boku" sounds like "beau cul" (in French) which literally translates to "nice ass" in English. Anyways, it made me laugh so I thought I would share. ;)

[Niall]

Oh my, that's got to make it slightly awkward especially with a narrator.

[Savanes, Moderator]

Up to book 2 (not included): what a lovely (view spoiler)[name! I love Noa.
After finishing this part, i think Sanju & Kyunghee will open a kimchi business but it's not going to be simple with macho Yoseb around!

He was so mad at Sunja for settling the debt. It's funny to see how things were different back then. In Europe women couldn't vote or own a bank account. Very few owned a business. All this to say that it seems logical that Yoseb would react that way even though it really gets on my nerves.

Sunja should never have lied about the watch. It's going to cause her some trouble I'm sure! (hide spoiler)]

About your comment about the pastor (view spoiler)[I'm not sure I like pastor yoo very much. (hide spoiler)]

[Savanes, Moderator]

Yes fortunately I'm reading the book, not listening.

[Savanes, Moderator]

For today's reading (up to 2.6).

What a cruel schedule!!! To finish at this point in the story is making me work on my self control "breath!". I need to know what happens next!!!

Anyways, I was so heartbroken at (view spoiler)[Isak's death. I guess he didn't get all the food and clothing the family sacrificed. At least he got to die surrounded by love.
The cycle repeats itself. It's the second man in Sanju's life who dies of tuberculosis. (hide spoiler)]

I was very surprised and impressed by (view spoiler)[Hansu. He took care of Sanju and his son from a distance. I didn't expect that from him. It is a bit controlling but also very respectful. And now he is trying to save all of their lives. Will they follow his advice?? I was stressed that he would send them to Hiroshima or Nagasaki though. Pffff! (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

I have to read the spoilers when I get on the laptop. We just arrived in MT. I CANT believe I had to stop at the cliffhanger!! I had to have a talk with myself about not cheating! Can’t wait till tomorrow. I will post more about my thoughts this evening when I can tag spoilers.

[Judy]

I'm excited to complete the reading for today. I loved (view spoiler)[ Noa, he seems so sweet. My heart was broken that he was tormented by the other children. It's great that he is learning Japanese with no accent at his age, I'm sure that will make his adult life much easier.
I wasn't expecting Isak to get thrown into jail and I was shocked that he was there so long. I still had hopes that he would recover like he did in Korea when he fell ill, but that did not happen. I hurt for Sanju when she lamented her treatment of Isak, or rather her lack of full appreciation of his nature. I think we all grew to love him.
The business surprised me also. When she didn't get any business I thought it was going to be a failure. I must admit I was sucked in by the restaurant story. I really believed she earned that spot with her amazing Kimchi.
I had a feeling it was going to be Hansu that showed up that day, but again did not expect he had been controlling things from a distance. I'm scared now about what is going to happen to them. I'm also worried that Yoseb (sp?) will not come, and they will surely die. I do think that Sanju will go, even if she has doubts. If he is wrong there is no harm, but if he is right she and the boys will perish.
Niall called it earlier, and when I saw the dates I knew we were in for a ride. (hide spoiler)]

[Savanes, Moderator]

Well I'm almost done with todays reading. I finished book 2.

I was surprised up to the moment when Mozasu (view spoiler)[ met Yumi at the men's behavior or lack of attraction to women. Yes there was a slight attraction to the sock girl but those are really well mannered teenagers. I guess that's what being hungry does. You have something else to focus on... I like Yumi, I was sad to read she miscarried. :( I hope she gets her dream life even though I think Mozasu will be hard to convince. (hide spoiler)]

About Noa, I agree with your comment judy, (view spoiler)[he was such a nice kid. It was such a shame that he learnt Hansu was his biological father this way. However, he was so cruel to his mom and deciding to leave altogether??? WHAT?? (hide spoiler)]

I wonder whether (view spoiler)[Hansu will be able to find their son? Will he be able to forgive them? Will he have a relationship with Hansu? Yes he is a thug but he's been nothing but nice to Sunja and her family. Sometimes honor is such a drag! ;) (hide spoiler)]

[Savanes, Moderator]

3.3 (I think): I think it's the first time we witness (view spoiler)[Hansu's true nature. Of course, the escort deserved to be let go but that was very violent. (hide spoiler)]

Up to 3.8 : First, (view spoiler)[Yumi dies :( and then Noa kills himself. Seriously!!! It's difficult to live when who you want to be is not who you truly are. He didn't lack intelligence but he lacked a little bit of courage. Poor Sunji. And I can't imagine what Noa's wife must be feeling. Both her father and her husband commit suicide. Let's talk about bad Karma! (hide spoiler)]

[Savanes, Moderator]

Where are Haruki and his wife. (view spoiler)[ They totally disappeared after his wife discovered he's gay... (hide spoiler)]

[Niall]

I'm sorry I've fallen so far behind everyone! I'll try and catch up over the next few days. Here are my thoughts up to book 2, chapter 5 for now.
Chapter 16:
(view spoiler)[ It was great to see Sunja and Kyoenghe take such decisive action and work as a team! I'm looking forward to seeing more of their double act. Yoseb really took a risk for his brother and Sunja didn't he. He didn't know they had a gold watch they could use to pay back the debt, but he still went ahead and took out the equivalent of a pay day lone to get them to Japan. That level of brotherly love is astounding. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[ And now Yoseb's being a massive jerk. I suppose their brand of extreme sexism is messing with his sense of self worth. It's such a relief that the birth went off without a hitch. And again Isak is the best. I really admire his humility. It is so sweet how Yoseb feels he needs to protect his brother like a piece of prosily, but when you have a disability that sort of thing from your family or friends all the time can be grating. We ask for support, not shelter.
Book 2:
(view spoiler)[ 1939 to 1962? Wow this book is going to move fast. I'm a little relieved that the second world war will only be a small part of this next section because I'm guessing that'll be the roughest time for their family. Here's hoping they all make it through alive. I can't recall if Osaka was hit hard by the allied bombings of Japan, but nearby Kobe certainly was. Have any of you seen Grave of the Fireflies? (hide spoiler)]
chapter 1
(view spoiler)[ And so it begins. Jail is going to be really hard for Isak. I truly admire Hu's bravery, but it's got to be especially hard when it's not only you being targeted. Oh man, I'm getting quite anxious over all of this. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2:
(view spoiler)[ Good going Sunja and Kyoenghe! I knew you could do it. I'd be way too shy to hawk kimchi in such a hostile environment as well. It seems this yakiniku seller is legit, but I guess I'll find out in the next chapter. I feel so bad for Noah. I'm proud of him for just keeping his head down and working hard. It shows remarkable maturity for a seven-year-old. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3:
(view spoiler)[ Things might be looking up for our two favourite burgeoning Kimchi Ajumas. I guess it's easy from our perspective to be hard on Yoseb, so I'm glad we get a little from his point of view here. With luck he and Kyoenghe will learn to be a better team with both of them working. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 4:
(view spoiler)[ Oh man, my stomach is twisting with anxiety. It really doesn't sound like Isak's got long to live. Not telling us what things are like in the prison almost makes things worse. Noah's such an amazing kid. I suppose adversity really does build character. I don't know about you folks but in comparison I was a real brat at 8. (hide spoiler)]
chapter 5:
(view spoiler)[ This chapter hit me like a ton of bricks! Poor Isak, poor Noah, poor everyone! I have no idea how Noah could face a day of school after all that without breaking down. I think I need to go spend some time with my dad now.
(hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

I just finished. Wow. I’m on my phone, so I will snag my husbands laptop to post so I can tag spoilers.

[Judy]

3.3-3.8 (sorry I didn't post this earlier) I was so sad (view spoiler)[ when Mazasu's wife died, that was awful and I wasn't expecting it at all. It does seem like the book started moving at warp speed. Then Noa kills himself, I was listening to this part while I was unpacking and literally had to stop and rewind. I was so upset about this. I was angry with Sunja, why didn't she listen to Hansu?? (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

As this wrapped up I have to say (view spoiler)[ I thought it started moving way too fast! It lost some of its luster for me because of that. I wanted to know more about Sunja and how she felt about her husbands' suicide. I wanted to know more about Masazu and yet we skip right to the next generation without much warning. Then I got a little vested in Solomons job and firing, was she murdered? There were so many loose ends that I felt a little rushed and disappointed.
Maybe I am being harsh, all in all, it was a great book, but I can't get over that rushed feeling like we had to get four generations in no matter what. What do you guys think?? (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

Savanes wrote: "Where are Haruki and his wife. [spoilers removed]"

Right!? I was a little shocked at how graphic this got at times. I had to pick my chin up off the floor a few times. I still felt like these situations were not explored enough and I was left without closure.

[Savanes, Moderator]

I finished too. It was a 5 stars for me at first but I agree with you Judy. It felt rushed and I had too many questions unanswered so it's a 4 stars.

I didn't know much about Korea and Japan so the book was very instructive. I liked most of the characters including (view spoiler)[poor Hana and Hansu. Yes I know, I shouldn't. (hide spoiler)]

I really wanted to know more about (view spoiler)[Haruki and his wife, about Noah's family and maybe about the 2 sisters and Hansu's employee (I can't remember his name). I also felt that Hansu and Sunji deserved to talk more about what had happened but I can understand that she didn't want anything to do with him. Also the author goes on and on about Sunji looking old and unattractive. I was expecting some kind of romance for her. Anyways, I guess not! ;) And Solomon following Hana's advices, really?! (hide spoiler)]

Judy wrote: "3.3-3.8 (sorry I didn't post this earlier) I was so sad [spoilers removed]"
I was more angry at (view spoiler)[ Noa than Sunji. (hide spoiler)]

@Niall I agree with you: we ask for support, not shelter. However, we is educated women raised in occidental countries. I live nowadays in Morocco and I could see tons of similarities on how men and women act and what is expected from them by society. If a man doesn't provide, he's not a man so when a woman works, it can decrease her husband's social status. Don't get me wrong, lots of women are working here but you can feel this sense of pride.

[Judy]

Savanes wrote:
I didn't know much about Korea and Japan so th..."

I didn't know anything about Korea and Japan either. I found the book very informative and sad in many aspects. Especially (view spoiler)[ the animosity between Koreans and Japanese, I really had no idea it was that bad. I still don't understand why Mazazu's girlfriend (don't remember her name) wouldn't marry him?? I mean seriously what else did she have to lose. Her kids are mean to her and her family basically treated her like crap, he was so kind to her and loved her. She just aggravated me with that! (hide spoiler)]

I guess Hana (view spoiler)[ had HIV, they never say this but it seems that what she has contracted. The things she would say about sex was pretty shocking. It seems the women were one extreme or the other, completely conservative or super promiscuous. I agree with taking her advice, that was bizarre. (hide spoiler)]

I also thought that Hansu would (view spoiler)[ come back and sweep Sunji off her feet. I thought she would let go of the hate and end up being with her true love but I guess not. Also, Kim....he never came back for Keyongee (I can't remember the spelling) and let's face it....her husband took forever to die, geez he just kept hanging on and making those women work their fingers to the bone. I know that's horrible to say. (hide spoiler)]

In the end I did enjoy the book very much but its still getting 4 stars from me. Niall let us know what you think when you finish up.

[Colleen]

Looks like an interesting read/thread. I'll check back when I finally get to this one. The title and everything about the book seems so worthy to get into and read.

[Judy]

It’s a great read. I enjoyed it.

[Niall]

Hi everyone. I'm so sorry I took such a long time. I have difficulty with motivation and a few things have come up on my end over the last few weeks. Anyhow, I know you've all moved on, but here are my thoughts through to the end of the novel.
I had a great time with you all reading through it!

Chapter 6:
(view spoiler)[ And look whose back. Bleh. As much as I can't stand him, I appreciate what he's doing for Sunja here. It really seems like he doesn't have any ulterior motives other than keeping her and his son alive. This must have been a tough chapter to stop on! (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 7:
(view spoiler)[ No Yoseb! Don't go to Nagasaki! I'm glad everyone else is going to be okay for the time being though. I'm curious how Hansu got all these connections. His life story must be a fascinating one, but I wouldn't want a book about him. I get the feeling he's going to want something in return for all this help and I don't like him getting to know the boys. He wants to control their lives, especially Sunja's. It's obvious he's still interested in her, but I think she deserves better than being his de facto second wife. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
It's encouraging to see how (view spoiler)[ wise Sunja has become. She realizes that Hansu is completely ruthless. It's certainly a relief that they're not going back to Pyong Yang, but I'm just so sick of Hansu. The way he treated Yoseb was disgusting. He's certainly right that they should stay put in Japan, but I just can't stand the way he's buying them. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ Bleh, it seems that Hansu's going to continue to be around for the time being. I enjoyed the dialogue between him and Kim though. It really explains why so many Koreans remained in Japan to this day. I just hope the family finds a way to escape his clutches. He's been hurt by the world, but he's taking it out on others through his intimidation racket. Kim is only a little better. His possessiveness towards Kyoenghe is alarming to say the least. I sort of wish they'd get past this stuff and go back to talking about other things. (hide spoiler)]


Okay from now on I'm going to play catch up and just give my overall thoughts at the end.

I feel for (view spoiler)[ Mozazu having trouble with Kanji. It's such a pain. I also don't blame him for just giving up on the rigged system he grew up in. I have no idea how Noah bares up under it all. But They're so different, and yet I love how the two brothers are so close. I guess they really have no one else. (hide spoiler)]

And now we find out why the title is (view spoiler)[ pachinko. It'll be interesting to see how The author describes it. I've been to a few of the parlors before in Tokyo and they're depressing places. They're all mechanized these days though. They're filled with the screeches of over worked ceiling fans and the bleeping racket of slot machines. Goro san's place seems to be quite different. Anyway if it feeds Sunja's family I guess it will due. (hide spoiler)]

Sunja is right that (view spoiler)[ Hansu is not Noah's father. I'm so mad that they have to take his money, but I know that Noah can somehow make something good come of it. Why do I suspect that this offer has teeth though? (hide spoiler)]

I'm so amazed by how (view spoiler)[ selfless Kyoenghe is. It's been so hard for her to take care of Yoseb all this time and she felt she had to let Kim go. But why do these characters choose the worst places to go! Kim's not going to like what he finds in Pyongyang. (hide spoiler)]

Noah really is (view spoiler)[ a man after my own heart. I miss the quiet days in the university library with piles of books and the occasional gem of a bar with decent music. (hide spoiler)]

Hmm I feel we've heard this story before when (view spoiler)[ Noah falls for the beautiful but dangerous Akiko. Perhaps he's repeating the mistakes of his mother? (hide spoiler)]

Mozazu is so silly with (view spoiler)[ Yumi! I love it. That was clever tearing the suit at the right moment. (hide spoiler)]

I feel so sad how (view spoiler)[ so many of the Korean characters feel the pressure to deny their own heritage. It completely makes sense, but Yumi's attitude is especially discouraging. I wonder what she would think if she actually made it to America. (hide spoiler)]

I think John is (view spoiler)[ my favourite minor character so far. I have similar aspirations to teach English in Japan full time and offer free classes to disadvantaged people so they might have a chance to get ahead. I always appreciate it when someone recognizes their good fortune and does what they can to build others up. (hide spoiler)]

Oh no, what is (view spoiler)[ Akiko up to? I know she and Hansu will hit it off. The result should be interesting at least. (hide spoiler)]

I really like the realization that (view spoiler)[ Noah comes to when he breaks it off with Akiko. People in the majority and privileged group are fully recognized as human beings, but those who are not are put into a sort of box and expected to conform to it. There are forms of that which are seemingly benevolent but just as toxic. I appreciate how Min Jin Lee allows Noah to clearly express this to the reader. (hide spoiler)]

Oh Noah! don't be so (view spoiler)[ terrible to your mother. Use some of that book knowledge to think about what it would be like in her shoes. She's completely right about Isak. Biology is only a small fraction of what it means to be a real parent and Isak did everything he could. It's a trap so many fall into, thinking that if you were able to overcome the hand you were dealt everyone else should be able to as well. (hide spoiler)]

Things just don't let up for (view spoiler)[ Sunja. I think Yoseb's hard earned wisdom fit here. A man needs to learn to forgive. (hide spoiler)]

I found another (view spoiler)[ minor character I really enjoy. Usually Japanese folks are so reserved, but every once in a while you meet someone like the waiter. (hide spoiler)]

I feel so bad for Noah that (view spoiler)[ he can't continue to pursue his love of literature. I guess he's going to be in the Pachinko business for good as well. Here's hoping he and Mozazu team up. (hide spoiler)]

Oh my goodness! (view spoiler)[ I did not expect that from Hansu. I get why you're upset but that's messed up. (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad that (view spoiler)[ Risa and Noah found some happiness together. Please please don't take this away as well. They had better live to be old and grey, talking long into the night about books all the while. (hide spoiler)]

And it's a return to the tragedy with (view spoiler)[ poor Ayame and Haruki. I think they could figure something out if only they could be honest with each other, but I don't think that's going to happen. The case of the boy who jumped off the roof of the school is a succinct example of how entrenched systemic racism requires a few brave people willing to take substantial risks to begin to make a change. Haruki has the power to do something about this, but it would not help his career. (hide spoiler)]

I was so shocked when (view spoiler)[ Noah shot himself after his meeting with Sunja. I wish I could grab him by the shoulders and shake him and tell him to figure it out! He was dealt a bad hand, but he could have found a way to work things out. He is trying to be honourable, and I really feel bad for him, but he was so selfish talking to Sunja after she'd been looking for him for so long. (hide spoiler)]

I appreciate how (view spoiler)[ the story continues to show the every day sorts of humiliations people have to deal with in a systematically racist society. We tend to think of lynchings, imprisonments and the like when we think of this, but it's these registration processes and school bullying that can grind one down over the years. I hope Soloman finds a place where he can just be himself. (hide spoiler)]

I didn't get a good first impression of (view spoiler)[ Atsuko, but I love how she's committing herself to Mozazu's family as much as she can and sticking up for Soloman. (hide spoiler)]

I feel so heartbroken for (view spoiler)[ Atsuko and her situation. I'm glad to see Hana slowly warming up to her, but I think Atsuko will have to earn her trust again somehow. Perhaps Hana wants Atsuko to just go ahead and marry Mozazu? (hide spoiler)]

This story never stops being (view spoiler)[ heartbreaking. Hana's loneliness and sense of worthlessness is palpable. Soloman's just 15 or so, but I'm mad at him for not at least trying to help her. Later on when he's in New York he wants to help, but now of course he has no way of doing so. And his girlfriend shows up... oh no oh no just end the call and talk to her later. She's messing with you. (hide spoiler)]

But thankfully Phoebe (view spoiler)[ doesn't freak out. She's awesome! We get to know how level headed and empathetic she is from just a few sentences. But finally there's a little relief in Hana deciding to speak to Atsuko again. Life is going to be hard for them, but Hana might realize she's brilliant after all and find something fulfilling to do. (hide spoiler)]

It's sad to consider phoebe's (view spoiler)[ conclusion that the Japanese will never change. But she and the author would know what they are talking about. I've lived there for two years and have developed many long lasting friendships with Japanese and Korean people there and in Canada where I'm from. I wonder if there might be a way to change things from the bottom up rather than the top down. If a million small connections between these two peoples in their every day lives might bring hope. I'm sorry I'm a bit of an idealist at heart. (hide spoiler)]

I feel so bad for Hana. (view spoiler)[ It's kind of the author to allow her to get some closure. I think she really needed Soloman to tell her that she wasn't really a bad person, even though she ended up doing some terrible things. (hide spoiler)]

What a (view spoiler)[ bittersweet ending. I'll never understand Soloman I think. Phoebe was such a great girl and I think they could have been happy together in New York. But again I feel so moved by how this book explains how systematic racism works in East Asia. It didn't matter how qualified Soloman was. Kazu just took advantage of him anyway. I guess he felt Pachinko was the only way to be his own man. My heart really aches for Sunja. She tried so hard and suffered so much, but she's still so lonely. I hope she gets to meet lots of beautiful great grandchildren before she passes on. (hide spoiler)]