The last two or three years of my reading challenges, I was enamored with a few books I’ve found featuring Asian authors. Since I met Nadia Hashimi, Khaled Hosseini, Amy Tan and Lisa See to name a few, I keep looking for others. Then I finally found this seemingly lovely book of a Korean-American author.
Pachinko, is an epic historical novel following characters from Korea who eventually migrate to Japan. It is the first novel written for an adult, English-speaking audience about Japanese Korean culture. Wikipedia says that Pachinko is a type of mechanical game originating in Japan and is used as both a form of recreational arcade game and much more frequently as a gambling device, filling a Japanese gambling niche comparable to that of the slot machine in Western gaming.
It is actually my first time to read about Korean culture. I didn’t even know that Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. It is a lengthy book all of 496 pages and I’ve only finished 20% of it but I am loving the story. A deeply engrossing novel, a lovely historical fiction. Looking forward to reading the rest. It’s my 86th read this year and I have completed 71% of my Goodreads book challenge.
Korea is an interesting country with a rich history. This novel looks interesting. I’m not familiar with this author, but have read books from the other authors that you mentioned. When we visited Korea, I didn’t know what to expect. It turned out to be a fabulous culture to learn about!
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This is my first book of hers Sabine. Wow, you were so lucky to have visited such a lovely country. Some of my friends have been there too and they love Korea.
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I do feel lucky indeed, Arlene! I also loved the people, very kind and polite! 🙂
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I am learning a lot from the book about Japanese and Korean cultures.
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This is one of my favorite books! It’s so good that I always recommend it every one. 🙂
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You’ve already read it Glaiza? That is so nice to know. It’s indeed a good one.
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I have 🙂
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Ang galing 🙂
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Always nice to discover not only a new author, but a new culture too. Glad to hear how much you enjoyed it, Arlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, I am in the middle of the book Pete. It is a family saga of Koreans living in Japan.
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We lived near a Korean family in Morden, South London, where there are many such immigrants
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So how do you find them Derrick? Do you mingle?
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We did – mainly with mother and children. They were very friendly
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I have downloaded Pachinko and will definitely listen to it, especially after reading your praise of the book.
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It’s a long one Elizabeth 🙂
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I think that’s why I hadn’t started it.
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It’s a lovely book, I am about done!
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Happy reading
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Thank you 🙂
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Ahh, great choice in Khaled Hosseini, Arlene..I love his writing style, & “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is one of my favourite books of all time! I sobbed at the end. I know little about Korean culture too, I hope you carry on enjoying your current read to the end. 😊
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I read the three books of Khaled Hosseini and I loved them all. Thank you for visiting Debbie. I am enjoying Pachinko. A nice read.
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Glad you’re enjoying Korean books! Another of my favorite Korean authors is Linda Sue Park. She writes more for a younger audience but her stories are universal and can be appreciated no matter your age. Would love to read your review after you’re done.
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Thank you for dropping by and thank you for mentioning a new author who I like to find.
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Tell us more about your reading adventures! I’d love to find out more Korean literature (that I’d actually enjoy) I find a lot of modern Korean lit to be either 1)sad 2)morose 3)nostalgic. Linda Sue Park blends these themes too but in a more approachable and intriguing way
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I think that was the first time I read a book about the early life in Korea. I hope I could find more. Thank you so much.
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