pickA fascinating novel about a piece of history of which I was unaware. This story follows several generations of a family who are Koreans in Japan. The first generation are migrants and the rest are descendants who never fit in or are completely accepted. Excellent writing which made me invested in the characters.
Took a day off from work, did school drop off (first day chaos), had a hearty breakfast and hit the library. Took a cat nap before school pick up too! All this is rare and highly savoured. 💙
I found this Korean tale set in China about a young monk who dreams that he is reincarnated into a golden boy who a) aces his exams, b) gets & beds 8 fairy wives 😱, c) wins all his battles & d) becomes the Emperor's favourite minister, all as a *punishment* for drinking wine, quite funny. It's possible that the serious Buddhist sub-text went over my head... I will say it is a surprisingly easy read for a 17th-c classic.
I meant to read this for #FoodandLit #SouthKorea but never did! I was slightly apprehensive about keeping people & events straight (it is a 17th-c. novel with stories inside stories). It's still early days, but it's been fine so far. Even fun! The end-notes are quite helpful...
#JuneSpecials Day 12: #RedRose paired with my book club title last year that I abandoned. Maybe I will get around to reading it again.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️an amazing piece of Korean history along with learning about the Haenyo women of Jeju island as seen through the eyes of two friends and the catalyst that destroys their friendship during the April 3, 1948 uprising. I cannot recommend this wonderful and heartbreaking story.
pickWe follow the ups and downs of the relationship of two haenyeo (sea women) played out against a backdrop of Korean history from 1938 to the present (2008).
As someone with only vague knowledge of the barest outline of Korean history (Japanese occupation, Korean War, brutal dictatorship, democracy), I found that aspect of the book very interesting. I don't think I'd ever heard of the April 3rd Incident, which plays a pivotal role in the book. ⬇
Oh. Oh no .. 😂.
