Pachinko by Min Jin Lee | Book Review

Summary

In 'Rincey Reads', Rincey reviews 'Pachinko' by Min Jin Lee, a multi-generational saga set among Koreans in Japan from the early 1900s to the 1980s. Highlighting the book's beautiful cover and compelling narrative, Rincey draws parallels to 'Homegoing' by Yaa Gyasi, praising the author's ability to create sympathetic characters and explore the complexities of family, culture, and the immigrant experience. Rincey highly recommends 'Pachinko' for those interested in family sagas, immigrant stories, or learning about Korean-Japanese history, giving it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Takeaways

• 📚 The book being reviewed is 'Pachinko' by Min Jin Lee, a multi-generational family saga set in Japan from the early 1900s to the 1980s.
• 🌟 Rincey highly recommends 'Pachinko' and mentions it was included in their February book of the month box.
• 🎨 The cover of 'Pachinko' is described as gorgeous, which has attracted a lot of interest from people on Instagram.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The story follows several generations of a Korean family living in Japan, showing their struggles and experiences over time.
• 🔗 The book is compared to 'Homegoing' by Yaa Gyasi, which was Rincey's favorite book of the previous year.
• 🤔 Rincey found it surprising how quickly they connected to the story and the characters, despite not being familiar with the culture.
• 👥 The book features a variety of characters, including some unlikable ones, but their decisions are understandable in context.
• 🌐 The story discusses the unique experience of Koreans in Japan, including the discrimination and challenges they faced.
• 🏛 The historical context of post-world wars is highlighted, showing the tension and poverty that affected both Japanese and Koreans.
• 👶 The narrative explores the concept of family, citizenship, and the treatment of immigrants across different generations.
• 💭 The book is filled with complex emotions and moral ambiguities, offering a rich and nuanced narrative.
• ⭐ Rincey rates 'Pachinko' 4 out of 5 stars, suggesting it's a must-read for those interested in family sagas, immigrant stories, or learning about different cultures.

Q & A

Who is the author of the book 'Pachinko'?

The author of 'Pachinko' is Min Jin Lee.

In what month was 'Pachinko' released?

Pachinko was released in February.

What type of story does 'Pachinko' tell?

'Pachinko' tells a multi-generational family story.

Which family and their experiences are the focus of 'Pachinko'?

The book focuses on a family of Koreans living in Japan from the early 1900s through the 1980s.

What is the narrator's opinion on the book's cover?

The narrator finds the cover of 'Pachinko' to be gorgeous and believes it will attract readers.

How does the narrator compare 'Pachinko' to 'Homegoing' by Yaa Gyasi?

The narrator compares 'Pachinko' to 'Homegoing' as both are multi-generational stories, but notes that 'Pachinko' is not quite up to the standard of 'Homegoing'.

What aspect of the book did the narrator find surprising?

The narrator was surprised by how quickly they connected to the story and the characters.

What cultural experiences does 'Pachinko' explore?

'Pachinko' explores the experiences of being a Korean in Japan, including the tension and discrimination they faced.

How does the book handle the portrayal of unlikable characters?

The book fills with unlikable characters and characters who make poor decisions, but the reader can understand why they make those decisions.

What themes does 'Pachinko' discuss regarding family?

The book discusses themes of family, who is considered family, and the complex feelings involved in family relationships.

What rating does the narrator give to 'Pachinko' and why?

The narrator gives 'Pachinko' a 4 out of 5 stars rating, appreciating its well-crafted narrative but noting it's not as impactful as 'Homegoing'.

What does the narrator suggest for those interested in 'Pachinko'?

The narrator highly recommends 'Pachinko' to those interested in family sagas, immigrant narratives, or learning about different cultures.