The Court Dancer: A Novel | 
pickI loved this book! I feel it's like a Korean version of Notre-Dame of Paris except all the characters were so much better. I remember reading Hugo's book and feeling so much anger towards characters that were just so anoying. This book's characters and storylines are very similar. I also really liked the unique way of writing. It felt like reading somebody's thoughts. The structure alligned really well with my thinking. 😊❤️
This book addresses the very relevant issue with museums quite a lot. The way western countries took away treasures as spoils of war and how those treasures then ended up in museums far from their original homelands. In a way this book is a commentary of colliding, combining and tresuring different forms of culture.
Look how beautiful illustrations this book has! 😍
Started reading this. It's been awhile since I've read a book set in Korea. 📚
so-soThis historical fiction novel transports readers back to the 19th century at the end of the Korean Joseon Dynasty as it is forced to become the Korean Empire. I did not know a lot about the turbulence between China, Japan and Korea during this period, and the book did prompt me to do some research of my own. Despite many elements I usually love, I was not drawn in to the story, although the themes around identity were compelling.
Today feels like the first day of summer break, even though Maya has been out for a week now. We‘re home from the mountains, in-laws flew out today, and it was one of the most productive AND peaceful days I‘ve had in months. Hooray to Summer! ☀️🏖
Only thing on my agenda tonight is reading! I don‘t think I will finish this 📖 tonight, but I should come close! #readingasia2021 #korea
The in-laws are taking a trip to Greenville today, so I have the house to myself! Those days are so few and far between, I‘m taking full advantage of it. Starting my next book, which I‘ve picked for #readingasia2021 #SouthKorea
This month I had reading ADD, starting five books within a week and have not finishing any of them! As a result the books that I have completed this month have all been on audio from either the library or through Scribd.
White Fragility: Robin DiAngelo 4 🌟
The Court Dancer: Kyung-Sook Shin, 4 🌟
The Grapes of Wrath: John Steinbeck 4.5 🌟
The Cruel Prince: Holly Black 3 🌟
Harry‘s Trees: Jon Cohen DNF
pickI am glad that I read this historical fiction. Second of the author's books that I have read. I am not sure how much I will remember of this over time. Beautifully written, and a part of Korean history that I knew very little about. Well worth a read.
Just starting this one. The other Kyung-Shook Shin I have read amazed me!
bailedThe historical story was moderately interesting, but the love story was pukeworthy, especially one god-awful sex scene early on, and the horrific paragraph ending with “Where she should have curves, she had curves.” Nopity-nope-nope. Bailed a few pages after that.
pickJin spent most of her life growing up in the court of the queen of Korea as an attendent and court dancer. When she is sent away to accompany the French ambassador as he returns to Paris, she leaves behind everything she has known. Absolutely exquisite writing.
This came in the mail today...so excited to read this soon.
Passed this over as a digital ARC, because my ARCs are backing up, only to download it from the library as an audiobook immediately upon release. This is all blurb based so no clue what to expect, but historical fiction and a cover like that. Let‘s go for a ride.
