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When We Fell Apart
When We Fell Apart: A Novel | Soon Wiley
5 posts | 6 read | 14 to read
A profoundly moving and suspenseful drama that untangles the complicated ties that bind families togetheror break them apartas a young Korean American mans search for answers about his girlfriends mysterious death becomes a soul-searching journey into his own bi-cultural identity When the Seoul police inform Min that his girlfriend Yu-jin has committed suicide, hes sure it can't be true. She was successful, ambitious, happy, just on the cusp of graduating from university and claiming the future shed always dreamed of. Min, on the other hand, born to an American father and Korean mother, has never felt quite the same certainty as Yu-jin about his lifes path. After growing up in California, where he always felt too Korean to fit in, hes moved to Seoul in the hope that exploring his Korean heritage will help him find a sense of purpose. And when he meets Yu-jin, little does he know that their carefree relationship will set off a chain of events with tragic consequences for them both. Devastated by Yu-jins death, Min throws himself into finding out why she could have secretly wanted to die. Or did she? With a controlling and powerful government official father, and a fraught friendship with her alluring and destructive roommate So-ra, Yu-jins life was much more complex than she chose to reveal to Min. And the more he learns about her, the more he begins to doubt he ever really knew her at all. As Yu-jins storya fraught exploration of selfhood, coming-of-age, and family expectationscollides with Mins, the result is an engrossing page-turner that poses powerful, urgent questions about cultural identity, family bonds, secrets, and what it truly means to belong.
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JillR
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Pickpick

This follows Min as he struggles to understand his girlfriend Yu-Jin‘s apparent suicide, alternating with chapters from Yu-Jin‘s perspective. The style worked here, I enjoyed the slow unfolding of Yu-Jin‘s story and the pressures she was under. I loved returning to Korea, this time Seoul. My only complaint is that it was so very slow I became impatient with it at times but overall, despite the subject, a sweet, quiet, gentle read.

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BarbaraBB
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It worked! I finished a book finally. It‘s a good one, about young people trying to find out what their lives should be like, and where home is in the modern yet very strict city of Seoul. Add an unexpected suicide (no spoiler) and you have an enthralling read.

(Photo: Autumn in Amsterdam)

jlhammar Cool photo! 13mo
Librarybelle Yay! Love the photo! 13mo
LeahBergen Ooo, it looks nice and foggy there! 13mo
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batsy Love the misty background. 13mo
sarahbarnes Glad to hear it! And love the photo. 🍂 13mo
Simona I love, love morning‘s walking on misty days …. and I‘m glad that you broke the reading slump spell 👍 13mo
Suet624 I‘m so happy you found a satisfying read. Love the photo. 13mo
Centique Yay for the book! And look at that mist! 😍 13mo
83 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Centique
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I can‘t remember how this book came to my attention but I have been enthralled by it all week. Min is a young Korean American man who has moved to Seoul to try and find some kind of connection. He is nearly friendless with just a “low key” relationship with girlfriend Yu Jin. Then he is told that Yu Jin has committed suicide. In total shock he begins to investigate Yu Jin‘s life to find the truth. We also hear from Yu Jin in alternating chapters⬇️

Centique I loved the character of Yu Jin so much and learning a little about South Korea and some of the pressures that can exist for young women. This is a debut novel and while the first 80% of it was excellent, I did find the author spent too much time explaining the character‘s inner thoughts and resolutions at the end, rather than letting the reader do some thinking. Still it‘s an excellent debut. 2y
Reggie Omg, we‘re book twins. I just picked this up at my local indie bookstore like a week ago. 2y
Centique @Reggie synchronicity! I‘m glad we‘re book twinning again! 👯‍♀️Nobody better to have as a partner. 💕 Hope you really like it. 2y
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BarbaraBB This sounds so good. I need a copy! 2y
youneverarrived Great review! Stacking 2y
CarolynM Lovely review. Stacked🙂 2y
Centique @BarbaraBB @youneverarrived @CarolynM I hope you like it too! 😘 2y
Megabooks Stacked! 2y
58 likes5 stack adds8 comments
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Jolynne
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I really enjoyed this “kind of” mystery steeped in love, passion, and family.

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MysticFaerie
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4⭐/5⭐